Memphis rolls to 42-17 season-opening win over Nicholls

Published Sep. 4, 2021 10:49 p.m. ET

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Joe Doyle connected on all five of his first collegiate field-goal attempts, Brandon Thomas rushed for 147 yards and true freshman quarterback Seth Henigan had a successful debut as Memphis opened the season with a 42-17 victory over Nicholls on Saturday night.

Doyle, a redshirt junior, transferred to Memphis after serving as a punter then field-goal holder at Tennessee. He peppered the Colonels with five field goals, the longest 38 yards.

Nicholls scored first on Lindsey Scott's 10-yard pass to KJ Franklin but the Tigers responded with 32 straight points. Doyle had four field goals during that run with Thomas, Rodrigues Clark and Marquavis Weaver rushing for touchdowns.

After Scott rushed for a touchdown in the third quarter for Nicholls, Doyle added his final field goal and Calvin Austin III scored on an 11-yard pass from Henigan, the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Memphis since 2011. Henigan finished 19 of 32 for 265 yards. Javon Ivory had 106 yards receiving.

Memphis won its 16th straight game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and its 21st in a row over nonconference opponents.

Dai'Jean Dixon had 107 yards receiving for Nicholls.

The Colonels, an FCS-ranked team, headed for Memphis two days earlier than normal after Hurricane Ida hammered southeast Louisiana, including Thibodaux where Nicholls is located. Memphis offered assistance to the Colonels, who were able to use the Tigers' practice field and other facilities.

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