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    • Memphis football outscores Florida State to record major win on foreign soil
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    Memphis football outscores Florida State to record major win on foreign soil

    Vaseline Posted on

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ryan Silverfield scores his signature victory.

    It wasn’t easy, but Memphis football (3-0) escaped Doak Campbell Stadium with a 20-12 victory over Florida State on Saturday. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead and quarterback Seth Henigan made plenty of plays through the air in a victory that will add to their College Football Playoff resume.

    Florida State’s offense was disastrous in the first half, with Memphis forcing two turnovers in the first half to take a 13-3 lead into halftime. But the Seminoles looked reborn in the second half, and it was a fight to the end.

    Florida State (0-3) got the ball back with just over two minutes left and had a chance to tie the game. But Memphis’ defense dominated the drive, with two sacks to pin Florida State back and ensure no comeback was possible.

    These are our main takeaways from the competition.

    Memphis made enough plays when it mattered

    It wasn’t a pretty win by any means. And while Memphis’ usually dynamic offense struggled to move the ball consistently, Henigan and the passing attack did what they had to when it mattered.

    The defense also took a step forward, most critically on Florida State’s final drive. Chandler Martin started that drive with a sack, part of an eight-tackle performance that was especially important because fellow linebacker Elijah Herring missed the game with an injury.

    Memphis’ defense started strong again

    Defense has been the main storyline of the Tigers’ first two wins this season, and that continued on Saturday. The Tigers forced a turnover on the second play of the game when An’Darius Coffey knocked the ball away from Roydell Williams, and Martin fell on it. That set up the opening score for Memphis.

    That wasn’t the only turnover of the half. Tahj Ra-El came up with an interception a few drives later. And Memphis recovered a botched punt just before halftime to set up a field goal.

    Seth Henigan played his best game of the season

    Memphis’ passing attack didn’t have to be great through the first two weeks of the season. That was a topic of conversation heading into Saturday’s game, and Henigan stepped up. The senior was 25 of 38 for 272 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, repeatedly making key conversions on third downs to spark long drives.

    The Tigers needed their best players to play against Florida State and Henigan made sure the offense was firing on all cylinders all day.

    Florida State’s offense was bloodless… until it wasn’t

    Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and the Florida State offense have been criticized the past two weeks. And they looked out of shape in the first half, with Uiagalelei ineffective and the Seminoles unable to run the ball at all.

    That changed in the second half. Uiagalelei’s first pass of the half was a 67-yard completion to Malik Benson, and the offense was briefly reborn with the three-play, 75-yard drive. Williams scored on a 4-yard run, but the two-point conversion attempt failed.

    Next

    Memphis moves into the American Athletic Conference when they travel to Annapolis on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT) to take on Navy.

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