Memphis football wins First Responder Bowl over Utah State

DALLAS — Memphis football didn't expect to end its season with a bang, but it did − literally.

With each touchdown, the Memphis assistants yelled and banged the walls loud enough for the entire press box to hear. Eddie Lewis drew a taunting penalty after his second touchdown catch, motioning his hand to the ground to say his defender was too small.

Maybe it was a release for a up-and-down season. Regardless, Memphis (7-6) had reasons to celebrate Tuesday after a 38-10 First Responder Bowl win over Utah State (6-7) at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Here's what we learned from the Tigers' second bowl win under coach Ryan Silverfield.

Eddie Lewis shows out

With Javon Ivory out due to injury, more was on Eddie Lewis’ shoulders to lead the receiving corps. He had four catches of at least 12 yards in the first half as he had little problem shaking free from Utah State’s defense.

Lewis’ touchdowns came on catches of 15 and 22 yards. The senior finished with five catches for 83 yards as he sparked the Tigers' offense to a 24-3 lead at halftime.

Sylvonta Oliver shines

Sylvonta Oliver picked the right time for his best game as a Tiger. The fifth-year senior had two interceptions in the second half, including one that thwarted Utah State’s opening drive in the third quarter.

He nearly had a third interception, but Oliver dropped it into the hands of a Utah State receiver. It didn’t matter, because his play was part of a strong defensive performance. Memphis ended the season with 22 takeaways, its most since 2018.

Oliver finished with three interceptions this season and Joel Williams added an interception late on Utah State's final possession.

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Henigan homecoming

Seth Henigan’s first game in Dallas since his high school days didn’t go well with a game-sealing interception in a loss to SMU. This trip was much better against a Utah State team that ranked 26th nationally in passing yards allowed.

Henigan, who hails from nearby Denton, threw for three touchdowns and 284 yards. He did have a fumble, but it came on a blindside sack after a missed block. It didn’t hurt Memphis thanks to the defense forcing Utah State into a three-and-out.

Memphis’ first half was arguably its best since facing Houston on Oct. 7. Despite the offense struggling most of the second half, it didn’t matter with the cushion it created and Henigan deserved credit getting the Tigers out in front early.

Memphis defense gets pressure

Utah State struggled moving the ball all game, and the Tigers made it even tougher getting a season high in sacks. One of those sacks took Aggies quarterback Cooper Legas out of the game in the third quarter with a possible leg injury.

Memphis had four sacks after entering Tuesday tied for 117^th in the country with 17 sacks. It was the most the Tigers had since garnering six sacks against ECU in 2021. The Tigers nearly kept the Aggies out of the end zone, but Utah State scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Tigers’ run game closes the door.

Memphis rotated running backs on its first five drives, with Asa Martin, Jeyvon Ducker and Sutton Smith alternating starts each series. It didn’t help the Tigers find a rhythm early, but it did late.

Ducker scored twice in the fourth quarter, including a 48-yard run that put the game on ice. His first touchdown was a 1-yard keeper that gave Memphis breathing room after a rough third quarter.

Martin got the Tigers in striking distance for Ducker’s first score with a 22-yard gain to put them inside the 5-yard line. Ducker finished with 83 yards as he and Martin took turns wearing out the Utah State to finish the game.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football wins First Responder Bowl over Utah State