Memphis Earns 10th Win of the Season, Defeats Iowa State in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Friday, December 29

Memphis, Tenn.

2:30 P.M.

University of Memphis

10-3 , 6-2

Iowa State

7-6 , 6-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Memphis

Iowa St.

Memphis Earns 10th Win of the Season, Defeats Iowa State in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Dec 29, 2023 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes WATCH | Postgame Press Conference

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Tigers football team earned its 10^th win of the season, defeating the Iowa State Cyclones, 36-26, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.

With the victory, the Tigers end the year with a record of 10-3, marking just the fifth time in 108 seasons that a Memphis team posted 10 or more wins (2019, 2017, 2014, 1938). Ryan Silverfield is the only head coach in program history with four bowl titles and his 31 career victories is the second-most in Memphis history for a head coach through four seasons.

Tiger quarterback Seth Henigan was named the AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP and Memphis' Outstanding Offensive Player of the Game after completing 24-of-34 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 27 yards and another score against the Cyclones (7-6).

In the win, Henigan broke the Tigers' single-season completions record (317) and single-season attempts record (475). In addition, he passed Brady White to become the all-time leading passer in program history, now standing alone with 10,773 passing yards in his career. His 3,880 yards passing this season rank him third for a single season.

Linebacker Chandler Martin was named Memphis' Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game, totaling a team-best eight tackles, one sack and five tackles for loss. Martin's five tackles for a loss are a Memphis bowl and Liberty Bowl record and are tied for third all-time in program history in a single game.

Offensively, running back Blake Watson tallied his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season, running for 107 yards on 15 carries to go with three catches for 22 yards. Watson etched his name in the record books with Memphis' all-time great running backs during the 2023 season. He ended the year with 1,152 rushing yards (No. 9 in a single season at Memphis) and 1,637 scrimmage yards (rushing and receiving) – the sixth-most ever in a single season by a Tiger.

Wide receiver Roc Taylor had eight catches for a team-high 102 yards for the Tigers, as he recorded his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season. He became just the fifth player in Memphis history to amass more than 1,000 receiving yards in a season (1,083). He ended the year with 69 receptions – good for ninth-most ever in a season by a Tiger.

Wide receiver Demeer Blankumsee reeled in two catches for 76 yards and a score, while Joseph Scates had three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Anthony Landphere and running back Sutton Smith each had a receiving score as well for Memphis.

The Tiger defense limited Iowa State to zero rushing yards in the game – a Memphis bowl record and the second fewest allowed in Liberty Bowl history. Entering the game, the Cyclones averaged 129.9 rushing yards per contest.

Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku had seven tackles and one tackle for loss, while defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr. added a sack.

The bowl victory was the eighth in program history and marked the fourth-straight bowl title for the Tigers after they were named champions of the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl in 2021 after Hawai'i was unable to participate. Memphis has scored 20 or more points in 27-consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.