University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Tulsa
Tigers Off to Best Start Since 2015 with 45-7 Win over Tulsa
Oct 04, 2025 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tens. – The University of Memphis football team (6-0, 2-0 American) became the first bowl eligible team in FBS following a dominating 45-7 win over Tulsa (2-4, 0-2 American) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Saturday night. The Tigers still hold the nation's longest active win streak at 10 wins.
With the win, Memphis is the only team in FBS that is currently 6-0 and becomes the first team this season to be bowl eligible. This is the fastest Memphis has become bowl eligible since the 2015 season and is the 12th consecutive year that Memphis has been bowl eligible.
The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 46-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. Memphis has scored at least 15 points in 83-consecutive home games – the second-longest active streak in the FBS and the fourth-longest streak overall since 1978.
Dating back to a win over UAB during the 2023 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 22 of its last 26 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 50 takeaways (29 INT, 21 FR).
Memphis took control of the tempo early on, settling into an 11-play drive that ended nearly six minutes later with a Brendon Lewisto Matt Adcock connection for the early 7-0 lead.
The Tiger defense stifled the Golden Hurricane when Jayden Flaker got a hand on the kick of Tulsa's Seth Morgan to keep them off the board. His deflection led to Lewis finding Jamari Hawkins downfield for a 47-yard gain that set up Sutton Smith to cross the goal line for the two-score lead early in the second quarter.
Memphis opened the flood gates to end the first half; defensive back Chris Bracy perfectly read Kirk Francis' pass and picked him off in the middle of the field. Just two snaps later, a free play following a Tulsa penalty led to Lewis lobbing a pass up to Cortez Braham Jr. in the back of the endzone for a one-handed catch. Just 58 seconds later, after a Kamari Wilson pick off a deflection, Lewis took it himself into the endzone to make it a 28-7 Tigers lead heading into the half.
The two scores marked the quickest back-to-back touchdowns for the Tigers since the Arkansas State game in 2023.
Memphis continued to dominate in the third quarter. After a 50-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic, defensive back Samson Israelrecorded the team's third interception of the game – the team's first three-interception game since Nov. 11, 2023, when the Tigers picked off four passes against Charlotte.
The points continued to add up when Lewis shovel-passed a two-yard reception to Greg Desrosiers Jr. late in the third quarter to make it a 31-point advantage.
Linebacker Crews Law got a punch out late in the fourth quarter that was recovered by Mond Cole at the Tulsa 38-yard line. The recovery led to Frank Peasant charging over the endline to give Memphis the 45-7 victory.
Quarterback Brendon Lewis had a noteworthy performance, throwing for three scores while hitting paydirt once on a keeper in the second quarter. He finished the night going 22-for-30 for 266 yards while adding a team-high 67 yards on the ground.
Jamari Hawkins recorded a career-day with seven catches for 110 yards while Marcello Bussey got in on the action with four catches and a career-high 68 yards.
Defensively, Memphis totaled seven tackles for loss with Chris Bracy leading the group with a career-best 2.5. Kamari Wilsonrecorded a team-best eight tackles while Drue Watts and DeMarco Ward both had six.
New this year, fans are encouraged to purchase early and save. Ticket prices will increase by $5 during game week and again by an additional $5 on game day at the Box Office. This change helps support enhanced planning for security, concessions and staffing. Historically, over 90% of single-game tickets are purchased during game week.
Season ticket prices remain unchanged from 2024, following a perfect 7-0 home campaign. With prices averaging under $25 per game, season tickets remain the best value for Tiger fans. Tickets can be purchased online at GoTigersGo.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
UP NEXT:
Memphis is on a bye-week before heading back on the road to take on UAB in the Battle of the Bones in Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Game time and television designation will be released at a later date.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS:
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
