Associated Press
Junior running back Zack Line rushes for his second touchdown against the Memphis defense during first half action at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. Saturday.
Junior running back Zack Line rushes for his second touchdown against the Memphis defense during first half action at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn. Saturday. (Associated Press)
SMU quarterback J.J. McDermott led the way for SMU on Saturday throwing for 357-yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs routed the Memphis Tigers 42-0.
The Mustangs first away win of the season helped the team improve to 3-1 overall, and 2-0 in Conference USA play.
The game marks the first time that the Mustangs have beaten Memphis, and they did it in a dominating fashion. The Mustangs had 519 total yards compared to only 139 for the Tigers. This is the second game in a row now that the Mustangs could rest starters late in the game, which will help keep the team rested and boost the morale of the entire team.
McDermott threw 44 passes tonight to lead the offensive explosion for the Mustangs. This is the first game that McDermott has thrown a touchdown pass as the starting quarterback for SMU, and as he improves the team seems to follow suit. Wide receiver Darius Johnson and Der’Rikk Thompson both had big games as well.
Johnson led the way catching 10 passes for 126-yards and two touchdowns, and Thompson added 6 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustangs also had success on the ground against Memphis. Zach Line had another big game, he carried the ball 20 times for 136-yards and three touchdowns.
Line now has 11 touchdowns this season and his success has translated into success for the offense. Line has made the red zone offense very productive and he has a knack for finishing drives off once the offense gets it close.
The outstanding play of McDermott and Line makes the Mustangs very difficult to defend because they have the ability to beat teams with the run and the pass.
When speaking about how the defense play against Northwestern State last week Coach June Jones said, “They played well, hard, and physical, I am just disappointed they didn’t get the