Memphis football defense leads way in Tigers' 44-34 win over North Texas

Memphis football's defense took a back seat to an explosive Tigers offense in its past two wins. On Saturday, the defense took the wheel to save the offense.

Jaylon Allen and Xavier Cullens had interception returns for touchdowns in the second half. It was enough to help Memphis hold off North Texas in a 44-34 win in front of an announced attendance of 23,203 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Here’s what we learned from the Tigers’ third consecutive win.

Allen, Cullens help make history

North Texas quarterback Austin Aune had two touchdown passes but also threw two to Memphis (3-1) with Allen and Cullens.

Allen started things off with a 39-yard interception return in the third quarter after Greg Rubin tipped a pass on third down. On the second play of the fourth quarter, Cullens added a touchdown on a 37-yard interception return.

It was the first time Memphis had two interception return TDs in the same game since 2014 against Tulane. Memphis also continued a streak of nine consecutive games with at least one takeaway.

Defense carries the day

The interceptions were just one piece of a stellar Memphis defensive effort that included three takeaways. Cullens also recovered a fumble that set up a late Brandon Thomas touchdown in the fourth quarter.

North Texas (2-3) entered Saturday averaging 220.5 rushing yards per game and finished with just 102 yards. Despite being one of the nation’s worst teams on third-down defense, Memphis held North Texas to 3-for-15 on third downs.

North Texas still had a season-high in 371 passing yards and its second-most points scored this season. But the Tigers’ defense getting just enough stops made it a solid day

More:Why Memphis football WR Joseph Scates credits mother for mental health, toughness

More:Memphis football to open 2023 season hosting Bethune-Cookman

Tigers’ offense goes limp

Memphis’ first drive ended with the Tigers stopped on third- and fourth-and-1 on consecutive run plays. The Tigers’ next four drives? Punt, touchdown, interception, punt. In fact, the Tigers had a stretch of six consecutive drives ending in punts from the second to fourth quarter.

It looked even worse since North Texas entered Saturday ranked 126^th in total defense. Tigers quarterback Seth Henigan recovered from his first interception of the year to lead two touchdown drives – including a 92-yard drive – but he also had a fumble that the Tigers recovered.

Memphis started the game 0-for-10 on third downs and didn’t convert one until less than 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. As great as the offense was the last two games, it was the opposite against a defense that gave up 58 points to UNLV last week.

Memphis loses two offensive linemen

Left tackle Austin Myers and left guard Jonah Gambill left the game in the second quarter with undisclosed injuries. Gambill was helped to the locker room with a bad limp and returned to the sidelines just before halftime with a brace on his left foot.

Myers’ departure meant Makylan Pounders returned to action for the first time since an injury in the season opener. But losing two linemen is a worry heading into Temple next week.

Memphis saw three linemen depart the team since preseason in Devontae Dobbs, Rodney Newsom Jr. and Florida State transfer Ira Henry. All a sudden, the Tigers’ depth up front looks shaky to add to worries about their run blocking.

Brandon Thomas scores twice

Memphis’ run game remained more methodical than splashy, save for a 30-yard run by Henigan. But the Tigers finished with more rushing yards (193) than passing yards (141) in a game for the first time since their season opener against Nicholls State last year.

Thomas had his third multi-TD game of his career and his first since he had two touchdowns against Tulsa last season. The sophomore finished with 84 yards on 15 carries.

It doesn’t obscure a bad day for an offense that didn’t crack 300 total yards until the fourth quarter. But an ugly win means the Tigers have their longest win streak since winning their first three games last season.