In a Saturday night ESPNU matchup of 5-1 conference foes, Memphis out-gunned one of the nation's top offenses.
This game was fireworks from the jump.
First, Memphis cashed in on its first two offensive drives with methodical 75-yard touchdown marches down the field.
The Memphis faithful has been waiting on this: an explosive, consistent offense. An offense this successful would equal an easy win in almost any other game.
But North Texas and its star receiver, DT Sheffield, did not make it easy.
North Texas’ first two offensive plays from scrimmage featured Sheffield's 75-yard touchdowns.
Sheffield's speed around corners is unreal.
Rivals’ very own John Maddox called Sheffield “the fastest player he’s seen play live,” which is not hyperbole.
And what ensued was a fast-paced, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ball game.
Mario Anderson broke off a 42-yard touchdown run, just the second score of his four-touchdown day.
But soon after the teams went back and forth trading scores, the game stagnated with five straight punts before a North Texas field goal as time expired in the first half.
In the second half, the theme of matching each other continues as there were eight lead changes throughout the game.
When things looked grim for the Tigers offense after five straight three-and-outs, everything changed thanks to a Demeer Blankumsee 62-yard touchdown catch to give Memphis a 35-31 lead at the end of the third quarter.
And after that play, things went the home team’s way more often than not.
With 1:05 left in the contest, Memphis had the ball in enemy territory with a decision to make. Either go for it on a 4th & 4 or give backup kicker Tristian Vandenberg a chance to make it an 8-point game with a 43-yard field goal.
In the postgame presser, coach Silverfield said he “had great faith in Tristian to go out there and do it. (Tristian) stepped up in a big way."
North Texas’ potential game-tying drive was thwarted by a Chandler Martin interception in the endzone, giving Memphis its second conference win.
If nothing else, this game was incredibly entertaining.
Memphis finally gets its mojo back on offense, while the defense is still a work in progress.
However, the Tigers still have an obvious path to the conference championship and a college football playoff berth.
