Box score for Saturday’s college football game between Memphis and Arkansas State in Jonesboro.

After dominating FCS opponent Bethune-Cookman in the season opener, the Tigers traveled to Jonesboro and beat a struggling Arkansas State team at Centennial Bank Stadium on Saturday. 

The Memphis defense headed into this season with a lot of confidence. It didn’t allow a single touchdown in the opener and is going against an offense that didn’t score any points last week.

The Tigers defensive back has found his footing after moving over from running back. The former three-star prospect and Winona (Mississippi) High quarterback originally joined Memphis as a cornerback.

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Key stats and numbers for the Tigers against Arkansas State

Roc Taylor played a minimal role for the Tigers for the past two years. If the season opener is any indication of what to expect from Taylor this year, it could be an exciting season for the junior. 

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Tigers Football Insider: Memphis isn’t overlooking Arkansas State

Arkansas State lost 73-0 to Oklahoma last week, but Memphis isn’t taking the Red Wolves lightly. The Tigers have been in a close battle with them the last two games. 

The Tigers defense only allowed 91 total yards last week and will take the nation’s top defense into Saturday’s game at Arkansas State.

The city has several scenarios for how the stadium-funding debate could go moving forward.

“Happy with the end result, but (we’ve got) a ton of stuff we’ve got to work on and it starts with me,” the University of Memphis football coach said.

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Tigers flex muscles in season-opener rout of Bethune-Cookman

Box score: Memphis 56, Bethune-Cookman 14

Two interceptions and a lost fumble left the Tigers’ coach upset, but there was a lot to love about Memphis’ season opener.

The Tigers kept Bethune-Cookman’s offense out of the end zone in a dominating performance Saturday.

Box score from Memphis season-opening win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.

The Tigers handled business as expected and should take a step up in competition when they travel to Arkansas State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.

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Box Score: Memphis 56, Bethune-Cookman 14

With SMU now leaving for the ACC, the hits keep coming for the AAC. How will the Tigers respond to the latest round of conference realignment movement?

The University of Memphis’ celebration of the first Black student-athletes to compete in each sport will start Saturday when five are honored during the football season opener at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Memphis Tigers open the season against an FCS opponent that posted a 2-9 record last season, so there shouldn’t be any problems putting away Bethune-Cookman early. 

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Tigers kick off yearlong recognition of first Black student-athletes

“I like to think of our team and particularly our defense as sort of a representation of the City of Memphis,” Matt Barnes said.

For the first Memphis football Tigers Talk, Frank Bonner II and John Martin discuss the ceiling and floor of this year’s team while sharing who they believe will be the biggest playmaker this season. 

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Tigers Football Insider: Defensive Coordinator expects defense to be gritty

While there were some obvious answers to the depth chart that any media member or knowledgeable fan could have figured out, the Tigers did offer a surprise or two in its release.

“The game’s really not complicated,” Barnhart said. “You’ve gotta have the facilities, and then you’ve gotta recruit. You gotta do those two things.”

University of Memphis president makes a case that the Tigers’ hunt for a new home is real.

Should the city move forward with funding for the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium? Of course. But only as part of a larger agreement that keeps the Grizzlies in town. 

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U of M president on realignment: ‘We are a well-kept secret and we should not be’

Bill Hardgrave and athletic director Laird Veatch spent nearly 25 minutes Monday assuring Tiger fans that Memphis is still a part of the realignment conversation.

Brad Loos will manage the Memphis Athletics Fund and lead the strategic planning of major gifts for the athletic department.

The Memphis offense has relied heavily on its tight ends in recent years, and the Tigers are hoping to strike gold for a fourth consecutive time. The next man up is Anthony Landphere.