Best, worst from Tigers’ big victory
For one night, all was right with Memphis football after its 59-22 win over Georgia State.
Darrell Henderson had his second straight 200-yard game. Brady White looked strong with five touchdowns. Tito Windham's second career interception meant he got to wear the Turnover Robe. Memphis (2-1) needed to redeem itself after losing at Navy and it did that against an over-matched team. Here's some more of the best and worst from Friday night at the Liberty Bowl
Best Play: Trick play on 4th-and-2
Give Memphis credit breaking out
the trickery right away. The Tigers stared at a three-and-out to open the game and looked to punt on 4th-and-2. Except they didn’t.
Defensive lineman Jonathan Wilson took the snap and ran for a first down. It not only kept the drive alive, it was a fun moment that Memphis needed to boost its confidence as the game opened.
Worst Timing: 6 p.m. start
Memphis-Georgia State had the luxury of being the only college game happening in the country. But that doesn’t mean the 6 p.m. start was all good.
Attendance at the Liberty Bowl was sparse at kickoff as fans arrived late. The crowd began to fill by halftime but with people also forced to choose between the Redbirds’ thrilling Game 3 win in the PCL championship series and high school football, it was a tough situation.
It didn’t matter on the field. The Tigers are now 15-0 on non-Saturday games since 2014 and 5-0 on games on short rest under Mike Norvell's tenure. Memphis does have three more Friday night games, including their Sept. 28 date at Tulane.
Best Throwback: Memphis’ running game
On a day the Tigers honored their Memphis State heritage, they played like an old Memphis State team going heavy with its running game. Memphis ran for 410 yards, its most in a single game since rushing for 436 yards in 1972.
The previous high for single-game rushing yards under Norvell was 333. Memphis averaged 11.7 yards per carry Friday and even freshman Marquavius Weaver got in on the fun with a 33-yard gain on his lone carry late in the fourth quarter
Worst Throwback: Penalties
Memphis had 11 penalties in its first two games but the yellow laundry came out Friday. The Tigers had 10 penalties for 79 yards, including two pass interference calls that allowed Georgia State to continue a scoring drive.
Memphis was one of the worst penalized teams in the country last year so this was a rough return to form.
Best Cameo: Kenny Gainwell
For the third straight game, Gainwell made his presence known in limited action. The true freshman scored his first career touchdown on a 72-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Gainwell added eight yards on a carry to finish with 80 rushing yards, his best day statistically and a sign that starring roles will be in his future.
Worst Luck: Brady McBride
McBride came for backup duty in the fourth quarter and one would think he’d just hand the ball off and run the clock. But when the true freshman passed, his lone attempt bounced off a helmet and into the hands of Georgia State’s Jaylon Jones for a 1-yard interception return touchdown.
It’s a small mistake on a fluky play and considering McBride has been trusted to play in two games so far, it’s