Second-Half Surge Powers Tigers to 38-16 Victory at Georgia State

Saturday, September 6

Atlanta, Ga.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

Georgia State

Second-Half Surge Powers Tigers to 38-16 Victory at Georgia State

Sep 06, 2025 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes vs. Georgia State

ATLANTA – The University of Memphis football team went on the road for the first time this season and moved to 2-0 with a 38-16 win over Georgia State (0-2) Saturday night. With the win, head coach Ryan Silverfield moves into fourth all-time for wins (44) as a head coach in program history and the Tigers collect their 12^th-consecutive victory over Sun Belt opponents dating back to 2012.

The Tigers (2-0) have scored 20 or more points in 42-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. The next closest streak is Miami with 17.

Dating back to a win over UAB during the 2023 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 18 of its last 22 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 39 takeaways (21 INT, 18 FR).

For the second consecutive game, the Tigers recorded 10 tackles for loss with Jalen Bell leading the way with 1.5. This is the first time the team has recorded 10+ in consecutive games since the 2018 season.

Memphis got out to a big start offensively when quarterback Brendon Lewis found a wide-open Jamari Hawkins down field for a 50-yard gain on the Tigers' first play of the game. Marching down the field, running back Sutton Smith pushed through for a 16-yard run for the first score of the game.

The run game continued to push into the second quarter when Makari Bodiford hit pay dirt on a seven-yard rush through the middle to go up 14-9 with 5:34 left in the first half. Gianni Spetic gave the Tigers a massive energy boost when he nailed a 55-yard field goal as time expired to give Memphis a one-point advantage going into the break.

Memphis held the Panthers to no points in the second half while scoring 24-straight unanswered points.

Getting the ball to start the second half, Memphis strung together a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Lewis finding the end zone on a five-yard carry. The very next drive, Smith set a new career-high punt return (34 yards) to give Memphis prime field position that ended with a Bodiford carry on fourth-and-goal at the one-yard line, giving him his second score of the night.

DeMarco Ward sealed the game after he grabbed his second pick-six of the season for a 31-yard score.

UP NEXT
Memphis stays on the road next week when it travels south to take on Troy. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ESPN+.

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