Memphis Tigers Roar, 45-21, to Victory, Retaining the Battle for the Bones Trophy
The Battle for the Bones trophy remains securely in the possession of the Memphis Tigers following a dominant 45-21 victory against the UAB Blazers on Saturday. The Tigers’ roaring second-half performance saw them blank the Blazers, racking up an impressive 24-0 scoreline after halftime.
In a showdown that saw the Tigers (5-2, 2-1 AAC) flex their offensive and defensive prowess, they decimated the Blazers (2-6, 1-3) in the second half. The Blazers managed a mere 49 yards of offense and succumbed to three turnovers within the last 30 minutes of the game.
Memphis’s running back, Blake Watson, was a force to be reckoned with on the field. Watson, an Old Dominion transfer, carried the ball 21 times, amassing an impressive 125 yards and scoring a touchdown. This marked the third 100-yard game of the season for Watson and the 12th of his career, further cementing his status as a key asset to the team.
Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan also put on a commendable performance, completing 19 of his 28 passes for 159 yards. Henigan’s accurate arm and keen game sense saw him throw two touchdowns. Joining him in the scoring spree was running back Brandon Thomas, who contributed with two rushing touchdowns. Tight ends Anthony Landphere and Brendan Doyle each caught a touchdown pass, rounding up a balanced offensive display by the Tigers.
On the defensive end, linebackers Geoffrey Cantin-Arku and Chandler Martin led the charge with eight tackles each. Both players also managed to record 0.5 tackles for loss, while Martin forced his second fumble of the year.
The Tigers’ defense was airtight, forcing four turnovers in total. Malik Feaster, Simeon Blair, and Cameron Smith each intercepted a pass. Feaster turned his interception into a crowd-pleasing touchdown after a 36-yard return. Blair added a fumble recovery to his day’s tally which was his first career interception. Defensive lineman CorMontae Hamilton also shone with seven stops, one sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a quarterback hurry.
After a first half that saw both teams level at 21-21, the Tigers returned from the break with renewed vigor. Their defensive prowess was on full display as they shut out the Blazers, and they managed to score on four out of their five drives.
Next up for the Tigers is a trip to Denton, Texas, where they will face off against North Texas on Saturday, Oct. 28. With kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m., the game promises to be another thrilling display of football, available for fans to watch on ESPN+.
With their recent victory, the Memphis Tigers have demonstrated a powerful combination of offensive might and defensive solidity that will surely pose a challenge for North Texas. As they continue their campaign, the Tigers will be aiming to add more victories to their tally and further establish their dominance in the AAC.
