The University of Memphis football team made its way back to the deep south on Saturday taking on the Trojans of Troy University. The Tigers (3-0) jumped out to a quick lead while the defense stifled Troy (1-2) in a 28-7 victory.

With the win, the Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 43-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. They also extended their active winning streak to seven games.

Behind a late interception, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 19 of its last 23 games, dating back to a win over UAB in 2023. In that stretch, the Tigers have created 40 takeaways (22 INT, 18 FR).

On the first drive of the game, quarterback Brendon Lewis went deep to Jamari Hawkins for a 41-yard gain to set up the Tigers in the red zone. Sutton Smith hit pay dirt on third-and-five for his second-consecutive opening drive touchdown to give Memphis the early lead.

The Tiger defense showed no mercy in the first quarter, holding Troy to just 23 total yards and keeping the Trojans on their own side of the field.

Memphis added seven to the board in the second quarter when Lewis found Brady Kluse in the back corner of the endzone for a one-handed highlight-reel catch to make it 14-7 The Tigers got one last push before halftime when Smith found an opening in the line for a 50-yard scamper and a two-score lead.

On the defensive side, Memphis went after Troy's backup quarterback, Tucker Kilcrease, sacking him on consecutive drives by the hands of Sam Brumfield, William Whitlow Jr. and Donovan Mathena. The Tigers had already knocked Troy's starting quarterback, Goose Crowder, out of the game with a big hit on the Trojan's first offensive possession.

Makari Bodiford pushed the lead out to 28-7 in the fourth quarter on an eight-yard rush up the middle for his third score of the season.

As Troy marched down the field on its final possession of the game, defensive lineman Jalen Bell sealed the victory with an interception at the 10-yard line – his first-career pick.

It was all Memphis on Saturday, putting up 430 total yards of offense while allowing the Trojans just 112 – 73 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Three receivers had 40 or more yards in the air while Smith racked up 113 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Tigers recorded 8.0 tackles for loss with four sacks. Drue Watts and Jaidyn Denis led the group with six tackles each while Everett Roussaw Jr. racked up three TFLs while getting in on one-and-a-half sacks. Of Troy's 12 possessions, Memphis held the Trojans behind midfield on their first 11 drives of the game.

UP NEXT
Memphis is back at home on Saturday, Sept. 20 to take on Arkansas in the team's Rhythm N' Roar game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT.