Henderson runs for 200 yards again
Memphis coach Mike Norvell needs few words to describe the speed of junior tailback Darrell Henderson. And Henderson needs little space to find the end zone. "He can run," Norvell said. After spinning off a defender and dashing 61 yards down the sideline for his second score, Henderson became the first Memphis player since DeAngelo Williams to rush for 200 yards in consecutive games in Friday night's 59-22 rout of Georgia State.
Henderson finished with 233 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, just 30 yards shy of Williams' singlegame record at Memphis. He leads all FBS players in rushing yards, yards
per carry and touchdowns before most of his closest competitors take the field Saturday.
"Coming out of high school I was always underrated," Henderson said. "I always had to work for it. So once I got to college, I worked even harder. And with the offensive line that I have now, anything is possible."
He has had success without taking a beating, too. Henderson still has not carried the ball over 15 times this season, often sharing touches with Patrick Taylor.
"(Henderson) prepared himself these first couple years, and he's had that type of productivity," Norvell said.
"But, for him, you see how he has matured. His body is maturing, I think he gained 15 to 20 pounds this offseason."
Henderson said the weight gain has helped him become a more physical runner this season, adding a little bit of a punch to his speed and shiftiness.
"(The weight gain) has helped me physically because people think I'm more of a slash guy," Henderson said. "But when it comes down to hitting me, they don't don't really come. So now, they don't know what to expect. They don't know if I'm going to slash or run through them."
But more importantly, the bulk-up has helped Henderson feel more comfortable on the field.
If that means more plays with the star runner in the backfield, that's great news for the Tigers.
"With me being lighter last year, it took more energy and more effort than it has this year," Henderson said.
The career-high performance also came as a statement performance in the only nationally televised game on Friday night.
"We just sit on the sideline in a circle once we come off the field and we just watch (Henderson) go to work," linebacker Bryce Huff said. "He makes one move and I just know (it's) six. I just know it." part of the learning process.
Best Supporting Actor: Special Teams
Memphis’ special teams has been the class of the AAC the last five years and Friday showed why with several key moments.
John Tate not only blocked a field goal, Memphis’ first since 2015, he also blocked a PAT in the third quarter. Freshman punter Adam Williams only had two attempts but one was a 50-yard punt. Even Riley Patterson got in the fun converting all eight of PATS and adding a 28-yard field goal. Add in Wilson's run on that fake punt and special teams coach Joe Lorig should be proud of his group.