Memphis Ends Season With Dominating 38-10 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Win Over Utah State
By Troy Phillips
Bowl performances aren’t always indicative of how a team will fare the next season, but the Memphis Tigers must have some idea that things could bounce their way in 2023.
Memphis and the rest of the American Athletic Conference welcome six new members next season, and odds are, the Tigers will be ready.
On Tuesday, Memphis (7-6) snuffed the candle on the 2022 college football season, lifting the 13th SERVPRO First Responder Bowl trophy after a 38-10 victory over Utah State (6-7) at SMU’s Ford Stadium.
The Tigers are set – at least by the current roster – to return their quarterback, Tuesday’s top running back, at least two top receivers, their starting tight end and a host of ball-hawking defenders next season.
It shapes up to potentially spell trouble for most of the AAC, including newcomers North Texas, Rice, Charlotte, FAU, UAB and UTSA.
“I can finally exhale,” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said. “I don’t try to hide from it. College football is quite different. It’s a different job from year to year.
“To get to a bowl and win as champions, there are only so many teams that can end the year as champions. The guys here in the locker room know we have bright days ahead.”
Memphis’ Seth Henigan completed 20 of 29 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. Jevyon Ducker had 83 yards rushing and two scores, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Eddie Lewis had five catches for 83 yards and two scores.
Tight end Caden Prieskorn added another touchdown. Cornerbacks Sylvonta Oliver (two) and Joel Williams combined for three Memphis interceptions of three different Utah State quarterbacks.
Memphis never trailed but was tied briefly, 3-3, in the second quarter after Utah State’s Connor Coles nailed a 53-yard field goal. The Aggies’ Cooper Legas, who began the season as a backup to senior Logan Bonner before the latter’s season-ending injury, was sacked twice on that drive.
Little else went Utah State’s way from there, save for a crossing route by backup Bishop Davenport that wideout Brian Cobbs took 44 yards to the house. By then, Memphis still led, 24-10.
That score wouldn’t have happened had a Memphis defender been able to hold on to a bobbled interception attempt-turned-Utah State first down on the deflection.
Ducker’s two touchdowns from 1 and 48 yards followed, and Memphis was clearly enjoying Bowl Season from a creative, celebratory standpoint.
“Just the inability to create anything,” Utah State coach Blake Anderson said. “Other than the first drive, and the one where we got the touchdown, there wasn’t any rhythm.”
Utah State’s two scores came from outside the Memphis red zone, and the Aggies didn’t otherwise reach there. It was a rough ending for the Aggies after a bumpy ride in 2022 that started 1-4 before a 5-2 finish to the regular season that ensured their bowl eligibility.
A year ago, Utah State won the Mountain West and defeated Oregon State in the Los Angeles Bowl, but foot surgery and a final re-injury to veteran Bonner, who was never fully healthy, proved difficult to overcome.
Fort Worth-based freelance writer Troy Phillips has covered eight SERVPRO First Responder Bowls.