No. 18 Memphis beat Tulsa 66-42 on Friday night, going to 7-0 after winning the highest-scoring game of the 2015 season. This game was an explosion of points and yards from the opening whistle, and both teams got their fair share of haymakers in. Any fears of a Memphis hangover following their big, emotional win over Ole Miss were very much unfounded.
Memphis blasts Tulsa 66-42 in 2015’s highest-scoring game
The Tigers and Golden Hurricane put up eye-popping numbers Friday night.
Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Paxton Lynch was monstrous for the Tigers, and was important for more than just raw tonnage of offensive production. During a somewhat shaky stretch in the third quarter, Tulsa quickly took a 21 point deficit down to 7. Rather than panic, Lynch led Memphis on a methodical touchdown drive that would springboard them to a second half surge that put the game away.
But about those numbers. For Lynch, he went 32-44 for 447 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, and a rushing touchdown. Mose Frazier and Anthony Miller both went over 100 yards receiving, and Doroland Dorceus and Jamarius Henderson both had over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers were not only a blur of points and carnage, but a balanced blur.
Tulsa was outmatched, but gave a good account of themselves. Dane Evans went 24-36 for 421 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick, and Keyarris Garrett set a new American Athletic Conference record with 268 receiving yards on 14 catches, three of which were touchdowns.
All told, both teams combined for 1,238 yards of total offense. Total offense doesn’t mean a ton without context, but no matter how many plays were run on Friday night, the production was ridiculous. Memphis has put up mountains of offensive numbers all season, and they had their most productive game of the year tonight in terms of yards and points.
At 7-0, Memphis is in good position to head into November undefeated and with a high ranking. That’s where the real work will begin though, as they face a brutal three week stretch starting on Nov. 7 that goes Navy (who could be ranked by then), at No. 21 Houston, and at No. 22 Temple. Keep your eyes glued to the AAC stretch run, because the points will continue to flow.
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