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10 Straight! Memphis Becomes First Bowl-Eligible Team With 45-7 Win Against Tulsa

10.04.25

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Brendon Lewis accounted for four touchdowns and Memphis dominated both sides of the ball to stay perfect on the season with a 45–7 rout of Tulsa on Saturday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

With the victory, the Tigers (6–0, 2–0 American) extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 10 games, became the only remaining 6–0 team in FBS, and secured bowl eligibility for the 12th consecutive season.

Lewis threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-30 passing and added a rushing score as the Tigers rolled to 457 yards of total offense and scored on seven of their first nine possessions. Running back Sutton Smith added a touchdown on the ground and Greg Desrosiers Jr. had one through the air to highlight a balanced Memphis attack that rushed for 191 yards and averaged nearly six yards per play.

Memphis’ defense was equally dominant, forcing five turnovers — three interceptions and two fumbles — while holding the Golden Hurricane (2–4, 0–3) to just 246 total yards and 71 rushing yards. Cornerback Elijah Green had two interceptions, and Chris Bracy picked off another while also contributing two tackles for loss. Safety Kamari Wilson added a third-quarter interception to help the Tigers convert 21 points off turnovers .

Memphis opened with an 11-play, 64-yard drive capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Lewis to tight end Matt Adcock. After Sutton Smith’s 3-yard score made it 14–0 early in the second quarter, Tulsa briefly drew within 14–7 on Kirk Francis’ 34-yard strike to Micah Tease. But the Tigers responded with 31 unanswered points.

Lewis found Cortez Braham Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown and then ran for a 4-yard score before the half to put Memphis up 28–7. Gianni Spetic added a 50-yard field goal, and Lewis connected with Desrosiers for a 2-yard touchdown late in the third. Frank Peasant’s 10-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter closed out the scoring.

Jamari Hawkins led all receivers with 110 yards on seven catches for Memphis, while Marcello Bussey added 68 yards on four grabs. Francis completed 20 of 34 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown for Tulsa but was intercepted three times.

Memphis held the ball for more than 39 minutes and converted six of six red-zone chances while limiting Tulsa to 1-of-2 on fourth down and no points after halftime.