MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Brandon Thomas scored two second-half rushing touchdowns and Memphis' defense forced three fourth-quarter interceptions to lead the Tigers to a 24-3 win against Temple Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Memphis trailed 3-0 at halftime, but the Tigers scored the final 24 points of the game and held the Owls out of the end zone to improve to 2-0 in the American Athletic Conference and 4-1 overall.

The Tigers had a tough time against a Temple defense that had not allowed an offensive touchdown in nine quarters entering the game - a streak that reached 11 quarters after the Owls held Memphis scoreless in the first half.

Thomas finally put Memphis on the board with 1:36 left in the third quarter when he capped a 10-play, 45-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 7-3 lead. 

Memphis took a 10-3 advantage early in the fourth quarter on Chris Howard's 30-yard field goal, and the Tigers made it a two-score margin on Caden Prieskorn's 4-yard touchodwn catch midway through the period.

Thomas capped the scoring with his second 2-yard scoring plunge with 4:15 left.

Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan completed 24 of 45 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown and was the game's leading rusher with 60 yards on 19 carries.

Temple quarterback E.J. Warner went 18-for-37 for 245 yards, but was intercepted three times. The Owls fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in The American.