Memphis gives up early lead and takes its first loss of the year to Boise State

It was a great start for the Tigers, but it didn’t last the entire game. Despite a 17-3 lead early, the Broncos dominated most of the game to secure a 38-20 victory.

Boise State started the game with the ball and drove down the field, but the Tigers’ defense stood firm and held them to a field goal. 

Memphis got the ball on their first possession, and it was clear that the Marcus Stokes to Hunter Tipton connection was going to be working. After a few runs for minimal yards, Stokes connected with Hunter for a 41-yard reception. 

The big play set up a field goal attempt, but it was blocked by linebacker Boen Phelps. The Broncos got the ball back, but couldn’t do anything and punted the ball back to Memphis.

On the second play of the Tigers’ second drive, Stokes found a wide open Tipton for an 87-yard touchdown to put Huff’s team up 7-3. 

After some back-and-forth and a Philippe Laforge field goal, Jaylin Carter broke loose for an 80-yard rushing touchdown to give Memphis a 17-3 lead with 7:10 left in the first half.

While the Tigers had all the momentum, Boise State responded with a 8-play, 75-yard drive, and after an interception from Stokes, tied the game with a 19-yard run from Rasean Jones.

Memphis received the ball after back-to-back touchdowns and made its way into field goal range to set up a Laforge 36-yard field goal to take a three-point lead into the half.

Stokes ended the first half with 246 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 6-for-9 passing, while Tipton went to the locker room with 178 yards on four receptions.

The Tigers didn’t have the same success in the third quarter. Memphis went three-and-out on back-to-back drives before another punt several minutes later. 

On the other side, Boise State back-to-back touchdowns, including a 72-yard punt return by Cam Bates to completely flip the game.

The Broncos controlled the rest of the game, outscoring the Tigers 35-to-3, to secure the 18-point win. 

Sire Gaines was the difference maker in this one, and he finished with 206 yards on 19 attempts. While Gaines didn’t score, three other running backs found the end zone, and the Broncos totaled 346 yards.

Maddux Madsen went 17-for-28 for 221 yards and a touchdown and didn’t turn the ball over.

For the Tigers, Marcus Stokes put together a nice game, but he couldn’t get into a rhythm in the second half. He finished with 384 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Memphis ran for 135 yards and a touchdown, and Carter made up 95 of those yards, mainly on the 80-yard touchdown run.

Tipton led the receivers with 229 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.

Huff’s defense recorded three tackles for a loss, but they didn’t record any sacks. Safety Dylan Smith led the team with 12 tackles. 

The Tigers fall to 2-1 on the season and return to action next Saturday against UT-Martin.