Memphis football bounced back from a loss to UTSA and beat Rice 27-20 on Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The Tigers (8-2, 4-2 AAC) used another strong performance by running back Mario Anderson to pull away from the Owls (3-7, 2-4 AAC) in the second half. Anderson rushed 25 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, while fellow running back Brandon Thomas rushed four times for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Memphis struggled offensively to start the game, but the Tigers’ defense forced a pair of field goal attempts for Rice early. The offense kicked into gear, and Rice had trouble matching Memphis in the second half.
Memphis is back in action next Saturday against UAB.
Brandon Thomas dragged most of Rice’s defense into the end zone, extending the Tigers’ lead in the process.
The Owls had moved all the way inside the Memphis 5-yard-line, but they fumbled on an exchange and Chandler Martin fell on it for the Tigers.
Anderson rushed for a 10-yard touchdown, his 15th rushing touchdown of the season.
Seth Henigan faked a handoff and then took a shot, but he found tight end Brenden Doyle for a 9-yard touchdown to give Memphis the lead.
The Memphis offense has struggled, but the defense forced Rice to settle for two field goals.
Seth Henigan threw an interception to Sean Fresch, but the Memphis defense forced Rice to settle for a field goal.
Memphis vs. Rice will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2. Beth Mowins, Andre Ware and Paul Carcaterra will have the call.
Memphis 28, Rice 24. It’s low-scoring game by Tigers standards, and it’s too close for comfort. But Memphis gets a bounce-back win.
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
The weather forecast calls for a high of 73 degrees and a low of 57 degrees on Friday in Memphis.
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