MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Riley Ferguson threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns and Doroland Dorceus ran for another score to lift Memphis to a 35-17 victory over Southeast Missouri State in the season opener for both teams on Saturday night.
Coach Mike Norvell won his inaugural game with the Tigers. The 34-year-old is the youngest head coach in the FBS, moving to Memphis after spending the past four seasons as Arizona State's offensive coordinator.
Will Young had a 61-yard touchdown run and finished with 114 yards rushing to lead Southeast Missouri State.
Memphis jumped out to a 29-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Jake Elliott made two 40-plus yard field goals to cap back-to-back long drives between the third and fourth quarters for the Tigers.