The Memphis Tigers offense, which has come to be known throughout the country for their big play potential, chose to put their weapons on full display at home against the Navy Midshipmen. Choosing to receive the opening kickoff the Tigers would bust a big play early from their own 25-yard line. A Seth Henigan (Fr. QB) laser down the seam to Javon Ivory (r-So. WR) for 49-yards got the ball moving. The Tigers would go on to post their first points of the game a few plays later off a short pass from Henigan to Sean Dykes (TE).
Navy would get the ball on their own 25 after a touchback, where they would go on to run 21 plays for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Midshipmen triple option offensive would burn nearly 12 minutes of 1st quarter clock and tie the game at 7 – 7.
The Tigers would waste little time adding to their point total, following the lengthy Navy drive, scoring on a beautifully run reverse by Calvin Austin III (r-Sr. WR) that would go for 69 yards. Superb timing on the play, coupled with great blocking opened the door for Austin III to turn on the jets and get the second score on the ground for the Tigers.
Navy would add a field goal, totaling 10 points in the first half, while the Tigers would double up on their first quarter total, scoring another 14 points in the 2nd quarter off a Seth Henigan completion of 74 yards to Eddie Lewis (r-Jr. WR), and a 3-yard rush from Brandon Thomas (r-Fr. RB).
Memphis scored their final points of the game in the 3rd quarter, off a 4-yard rush by Marquavius Weaver (r-Sr. RB). Memphis’ final scoring drive went for 72 yards on 5 plays, the biggest being a 51-yard dime dropped to Koby Drake (r-Fr. WR) by Seth Henigan.
Tonight’s win over Navy was important for the Tigers for a few reasons. Fans got a defensive performance they can be satisfied with, the Tiger offense spread the ball around (with 5 different players scoring touchdowns for the Tigers), the ground game saw success, and the Memphis proved to those beginning to doubt them that they are still capable of finishing with a lead.
The Tigers will look to build on tonight’s momentum as they prepare for an away contest at 3 – 2 UCF on October 22nd
