2014 Season Review
December 31, 2014
Season Report Posted: September 25, 2016 12:09
Record: 10-3 (6-3)
Russell Athletic Bowl Win
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CO-OFFENSIVE MVP
QB Paxton Lynch, So. - Lynch set school records for passing yards (3242) and passing TD's (31) in a single season while also accounting for another 843 yards and 8 TD on the ground. Perhaps most importantly, Lynch was able to stay on the field for all 13 games after missing 8 as a freshman.
CO-OFFENSIVE MVP
WR Jarod Hayden, Sr. - If you're going to recognize an Offensive MVP and you don't name the guy who broke nearly every major single game and single season receiving yardage record at the school, then you're not doing it right. Hayden followed up an outstanding 2013 season (84-1346-10) with an otherwordly 2014, in which he led the AAC in catches (105) and receiving yards (1566) while also catching 15 TD's. For this, the senior was selected 1st Team All-Conference, 2nd Team All-American, and was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
DEFENSIVE MVP
MLB Christian Jones, Sr. - While Jones didn't put up eye-catching statistics, he was the main cog in a run defense that ranked 10th nationally. For this, he was the only Tigers defensive player selected 1st Team All-Conference.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
HB Kyle Thomas, Fr. - A four-star recruit and the 10th ranked HB in last year's class, Thomas is easily one of the most highly touted recruits in Memphis history. After posting 851 yards rushing (5.4YPC) and a conference leading 11 TD's on the ground, the freshman more than lived up to his lofty billing.
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OFFENSE
7508 Total Yards (12th)
6011 Total Offensive Yards (12th)
3716 Pass Yards (13th)
2295 Rush Yards (26th)
35.6 PPG (12th)
DEFENSE
5136 Total Offense (90th)
3509 Pass Yards (118th)
1627 Rush Yards (10th)
348 Points Allowed (72nd)
+5 Turnovers (24th)
AAC LEADERS
Completions - Paxton Lynch (246)
Rushing TD's - Kyle Thomas (11)
Receptions - Jarod Hayden (105)
Receiving Yards - Jarod Hayden (1566)
RECORDS
Season Passing TD's - Paxton Lynch (31)
Season Passing Yards - Paxton Lynch (3242)
Season Receiving TD's - Jarod Hayden (15)
Single Game Receiving TD's - Jarod Hayden (4)
Season Receiving Yards - Jarod Hayden (1566)
Single Game Receiving Yards - Jarod Hayden (243)
Season Receptions - Jarod Hayden (105)
Single Game Receptions - Jarod Hayden (14)
Lynch's 4 TD's cap historic season, Memphis beats Maryland 38-24 in Russell Athletic Bowl
December 28, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 25, 2016 11:29
ORLANDO -- QB Paxton Lynch threw a long TD on the first play of the 4th quarter and the defense came up with two late turnovers as the Tigers capped off the school's first 10 win season. Lynch ended with 252 yards and 3 TD as a passer, breaking the school's single season record for both in the process.
Memphis finishes the season at 10-3 and ranked 12th in the final poll, the highest the school has ever finished.
Memphis gets back on winning track, hammers SMU 41-10
December 6, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 05:53
MEMPHIS -- The Tigers jumped out to an early 17-0 lead and easily cruised to victory, led by senior WR Jarod Hayden's second 200 yard game of the season. Hayden racked up exactly 200 yards on 9 catches, breaking his own single season record for yards in a season in the process.
The win moves the Tigers to 9-3 on the season, matching their win total from last year.
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INJURIES
C Freddie Moore (Torn bicep)
Louisville dominates 4th quarter in 48-21 win, sends Memphis to third straight loss
November 29, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 04:45
LOUISVILLE -- The Tigers entered the 4th quarter down just 24-21, looking to post a signature victory and stay in the AAC race. They exited with their third straight loss and major questions about their ability to finish big games. A pick-six early in the quarter started the run for Louisville that ended with 24 unanswered points.
The loss drops Memphis to 8-3 on the season and eliminates them from AAC contention. Senior WR Jarod Hayden broke his own school record for receptions in a season in the loss.
INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
C Freddie Moore (Torn bicep)
Memphis falls short in shootout, lose 45-38 at Connecticut
November 22, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 04:24
STORRS -- Paxton Lynch and the Tigers offense did their part, but the defense was unable to get key 4th quarter stops, allowing 21 points in the final frame...including a late score that proved to be the difference in the Tigers second loss of the season.
The loss not only dropped the Tigers to 8-2, but caused them to fall out of first place in the AAC. They now trail both UCF and Connecticut by one game each.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
C Freddie Moore (Torn bicep)
Tigers unbeaten streak ends in 37-14 loss to Cincinnati
November 15, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 04:16
CINCINNATI -- The Bearcats scored the first 20 points of the game thanks to an efficient passing attack, a deficit which proved to much for the Tigers to dig out of. Paxton Lynch gained 314 yards of offense in the loss, but was just 18-36 passing with less than 6 yards per attempt.
The loss snaps the Tigers unbeaten start to the season. They drop to 8-1, but are still in a tie for first in the AAC with Connecticut and UCF.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
Tigers stay unbeaten behind strong defensive effort, top USF 24-14
November 1, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 03:30
MEMPHIS -- Senior Chase Davis notched 3 sacks and 6 TFL's and the defense held USF to 280 yards of total offense as Memphis moved to 8-0 for the first time in school history.
QB Paxton Lynch racked up 339 total yards and 2 passing TD's in the victory. Memphis retains sole possession of first place in the AAC, one game up on UCF and Connecticut.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
Memphis outlasts Temple 24-17, moves into first place in the AAC
October 25, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 03:22
MEMPHIS -- The Tigers' defense picked up the slack for an uncharacteristically stagnant offense, holding Temple to just 326 yards of total offense and forcing a critical turnover to seal a 24-17 win.
The victory moved the Tigers to 7-0 on the season. More importantly, it pushed them to first place in the AAC following Connecticut's upset of Louisville.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
Memphis overcomes miscues, defeats #23 UCF 43-36
October 18, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 24, 2016 02:44
MEMPHIS -- Freshman RB Kyle Thomas ran for a career high 143 yards and scored 1 TD to help the Tigers overcome an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from Paxton Lynch. The sophomore QB was intercepted 4 times, which allowed the Golden Knights to keep it close despite being outgained by 197 total yards. In the end, a costly fumble and a powerful running attack pushed the Tigers season opening win streak to 6.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
Lynch, Memphis continue hot start; roll over Rutgers 48-27
October 4, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 23, 2016 06:14
NEW BRUNSWICK -- QB Paxton Lynch scored 5 TD's (4 pass, 1 rush) and WR Jarod Hayden posted his third 100+ receiving yard game this season as the Tigers offense continued putting up video game-like numbers. Memphis scored all 48 of their points in the first three quarters before mercifully sending in the second string.
The win moves the Tigers to 5-0 on the season (2-0 AAC), marking their best start to a season since 1961.
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INJURIES
WR Brandon Durbin (Torn bicep)
Tigers rally late, down Houston 49-35 in AAC opener
September 27, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 23, 2016 05:30
MEMPHIS -- In a game full of wild rallies and momentum swings, the Tigers struck last with 21 unanswered 4th quarter points to improve to 4-0 on the season. Both teams posted 21-0 runs in the first half, with the Cougars leading 28-21 at half. They would maintain that 7 point advantage heading into the 4th before Memphis rallied one last time, scoring 21 points in the final 6:41 of regulation. Sophomore QB Paxton Lynch led the way again, putting up 462 yards of offense (356 pass, 106 rush) and 3 TD's (2 pass, 1 rush) in the victory.
Hayden's record breaking day pushes Memphis past Middle Tennessee State 34-10
September 20, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 23, 2016 04:08
MEMPHIS -- Senior WR Jarod Hayden set school records for receptions (14), receiving yards (243), and receiving TD's (4) in a single game, pushing the Tigers comfortably past Middle Tennessee State.
The 3-0 Tigers begin conference play next week with a home game against Houston, where they'll look to avenge last year's loss.
Late field goal lifts Memphis past BYU 27-24
September 6, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 23, 2016 03:19
PROVO -- Dan Adkins 28 yard FG with 4 seconds remaining proved to be the decisive blow in this back-and-forth contest. After the Cougars tied the score at 24 each with just 2:07 left in regulation, Paxton Lynch ran a picture perfect two minute drill to the BYU 15 yard line, setting Adkins up for the game winner.
The victory moves the Tigers to 2-0 on the season.
Lynch, Memphis dominate Ole Miss 63-21 in renewal of rivalry
August 28, 2014
Game Report Posted: September 23, 2016 00:19
MEMPHIS -- After a four year hiatus, the Memphis-Ole Miss rivalry game that has traditionally been the season opener for each school returned on Saturday. This matchup has typically been dominated by Ole Miss, but after scoring 49 first half points, it was Memphis who looked like the SEC school. QB Paxton Lynch took advantage of an early Rebels turnover to put the Tigers up 21-0 after the 1st. Things would only get worse from there. In total, Lynch scored 6 TD's (tying the school record with 5 passing TD's) with WR's Jarod Hayden and Brandon Durbin catching 2 TD's each.
With the win, the Tigers ended a 5 game losing streak to Ole Miss and scored what they hope to be a signature non-conference win.