Saban and Staley correctly predict Memphis' win at FSU

Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, and Dawn Staley all predicted it correctly during Game Day picks on ESPN Saturday morning. Final score: Memphis 20 FSU 12

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The 25th-ranked University of Memphis football team went on the road for the first time this season Saturday afternoon and took down Florida State, 20-12, at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.

The win was the first for the Tigers (3-0) over a power conference opponent on the road since taking down Kansas in 2015.

The defense was lights out all day, holding the Seminoles to a season-low 238 total yards with 4.0 sacks and three forced turnovers. Redshirt junior linebacker Chandler Martin led the squad with eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Defensive back An’Darius Coffey gave the Tigers a spark on the game’s opening possession, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Martin and led to a Caden Costa field goal. Memphis held a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter to make it four-consecutive games holding its opponent to zero points in the first quarter of play dating back to the Liberty Bowl win last season over Iowa State.

As a unit, the Tiger defense made 12 tackles for loss in the victory – the most in a game for Memphis since 2018 against SMU. Along with Martin, defensive back Kobee Minor (2), linebacker Matt Hudson (1.5) and defensive lineman Vic Alobwede (1.5) all recorded multiple tackles for loss.

Senior quarterback Seth Henigan completed 25-of-38 passes for 272 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while extending his streak of throwing a touchdown pass in every game of his career to 40 games.

Tight end Anthony Landphere caught five balls for 66 yards and a score, while Greg Desrosiers Jr. also reeled in a touchdown haul.

Memphis dominated the time of possession battle, owning the ball for 36:21 of game time to Florida State’s 23:39. The Tigers played aggressive offensively and successfully converted 2-of-3 fourth-down attempts.

With the victory and 20 points scored, the Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 30-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.

UP NEXT
The Tigers travel to Annapolis, Maryland, for their first conference game of the season against Navy (2-0, 1-0 AAC) with kick scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT.

Full coverage all week of the University of Memphis Tigers on 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sports Station.