The Memphis Tigers have played eight quarters of football in 2025 and six of them have been strong.

Three Memphis players from the Atlanta area — Sutton Smith, Makari Bodiford and DeMarco Ward — put on a show in the Tigers’ 38-16 win at Center Parc Stadium.

“I do have to do a better job, kind of protecting myself and not taking hits that are unnecessary,” Memphis Tigers QB Brendon Lewis said. “But I like taking those hits. ... It kind of calms me down and gets me in the flow of the game.”

Box score for the University of Memphis game against Georgia State Saturday, Sept. 6 in Atlanta.

After cruising to a blowout victory at home last week, the Memphis Tigers found themselves in a serious battle for at least the first two quarters at Center Parc Stadium on Saturday.

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Box score: Memphis 38, Georgia State 16

Bets are made every day — on teams, on players, on corporations and companies. The money isn’t always right, but it can usually give us a great sense of what the correct side is.

Memphis (1-0) cruised to a 45-10 win over FCS Chattanooga last week, while Georgia State fell 63-7 to an Ole Miss team that is currently ranked No. 20 in the Associated Press Top 25.

The Arkansas Razorbacks football team will play Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 20, but the return game scheduled for 2026 has been rescheduled.

Memphis defensive lineman Pooda Walker lost his best friend four years ago, but continues to honor his legacy on the football field. 

Ed Scott told the university’s board of trustees how the Tigers are “punching well above our weight class.”

Memphis running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. missed most of the Tigers’ season opener.

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The 2025 college football season couldn’t get past Week 1 without creating ripples in the College Football Playoff race for non-power conference schools.

Last year, Sutton Smith tore his ACL during the Tigers’ first game, and his 2024 season was over in less than 15 minutes of game time. This year, things were different. 

The 2025 college football season has opened in chaos, but not in Memphis. The Tigers were all business in taking care of Chattanooga in their season opener.

Nine tackles-for-loss, DeMarco Ward’s pick-six highlight a good day at the office for the Memphis defense.

Memphis running back Greg Desrosiers Jr. suffered a lower-body injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s season opener against Chattanooga and did not return. 

Box score for Saturday’s college football game between the Memphis Tigers and Chattanooga Mocs played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

New Tiger quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 22-of-28 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 81 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown in his first start for Memphis.

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Box score: Memphis 45, Chattanooga 10

The Brendon Lewis officially begins for the Memphis Tigers against Chattanooga. The Nevada transfer quarterback is one of several new faces who have banded together in hopes of doing something special. 

Memphis football beat writer Frank Bonner II and columnist John Martin discuss the Tigers’ chances of winning the American Conference, the backup quarterback situation and what to expect in the season opener. 

Former Carolina Panther and current Memphis Tigers defensive back coach Reggie Howard broke his neck in his final game as a Memphis player. He still managed to spend seven years in the NFL. 

Four recent former Tigers were waived or released by NFL teams in the past week.

Which transfers will be the most impactful Memphis Tigers football offensive and defensive addition? Which returnee will have the best breakout season?

Tigers athletic director Ed Scott discussed Big 12 rejection, Memphis’ deal with FedEx and SEC scheduling before teeing off at the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Golf Classic.

Some fans were alarmed when the Memphis football account posted on social media last Saturday — a week before the home season opener — that Memphis is holding walk-on tryouts for defensive backs.