Running back Tony Pollard had 82 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns to help the Dallas Cowboys complete the biggest blowout of Week 1. 

The Daily Memphian’s Frank Bonner II and John Martin discuss their initial takeaways, surprise players and any concerns they have about the team after two weeks. 

Related story:

NFL Week 1: Notable performances from former Tigers

Navy has a new coach and does some things differently this year on offense, but the Midshipmen will be facing a Tigers defense ranked second in the country in yards allowed per game when they play Thursday in Memphis.

Related story:

Memphis-Missouri football game time announced

Game time announced for Memphis Tigers game in St. Louis on Sept. 23.

Memphis comes up with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a 37-3 victory over the Red Wolves, and it has something to show for it.

Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said during the offseason that he felt the roster depth was the strength of the team. The Tigers showcased some of that in the season opener against Bethune-Cookman and continued to display it Saturday in Jonesboro. 

Related stories:

Memphis Tigers crush Arkansas State

Box score: Memphis 37, Arkansas State 3

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.

Related story:

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. 

Related story:

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.

Related stories:

Silverfield: Defense ‘carried us’ in opening game win

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.

Related story:

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. 

Related story:

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. 

Related story:

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.