MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Seth Henigan passed for 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns Saturday evening, as Football Bowl Division (FBS) opponent Memphis proved to be too much for Bethune-Cookman 56-14 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the season opener for both programs.
 
In what was a rough offensive display for first-year head coach Raymond Woodie Jr. and the Wildcats, Bethune-Cookman was limited to just 91 yards of total offense on the night. Meanwhile, the Tigers of Memphis countered with 551 yards of offense – one of their highest productions offensively since the Mike Norvell era four years ago. It was a balanced attack for the Tigers, as they rushed for 208 yards and passed for 231.
 
It took Memphis (1-0) just six plays to open the scoring with back-to-back runs from running back Blake Watson, as he capped off the Tigers' drive with a two-yard scamper up the middle. Seth Morgan's extra-point followed to make it 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.
 
Morgan's 45-yard field goal would up the advantage at 10-0 with 5:07 remaining in the first period.
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-1) scored its first points of the game courtesy a 69-yard interception return for touchdown by junior defensive lineman Amarie Jones. For the Maroon and Gold, it was the first interception return for touchdown since Omari Hill-Robinson registered a 97-yard pick six against Mississippi Valley State last season in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
 
However, it would take the hosts just four plays into the second quarter to widen the lead 17-7 courtesy another Watson rushing score, this time from 15 yards out.
 
After a quick three-and-out from the Cats, Memphis used a seven-play drive to work itself into field goal range, as Morgan connected on his second kick of the night, chipping in a 26-yarder to extend the lead at 20-7.
 
Watson would rush in for his third score of the opening half with 6:26 showing on the clock, using another two-yard rush around the right side to extend the Tigers lead, 28-7 (following the two-point conversion) – the same score line they would take into the locker room at the half.
 
In the second half, Memphis scored on each of its first three possessions of the third quarter, giving the hosts a 49-7 lead.
 
Sutton Smith rushed in for a score, as well as Henigan connecting with DeMeer Blankumsee for a 47-yard touchdown strike. Henigan added his second passing score of the half with a seven-yard completion to Christian Carter with 3:23 left in the third.
 
Through three quarters, BCU was limited to just 62 yards of total offense – 44 of those coming on the ground. Meanwhile, Simmons a transfer from East Carolina that failed to see playing time a season ago for the Pirates, was just 9-for-17 passing through three quarters of play, tallying just 18 yards – led by three catches for 12 yards from senior receiver Daveno Ellington.
 
The Cats got back on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter with the team's second defensive touchdown of the evening.
 
Ejike Brown, a freshman defensive lineman from Houston, scooped up a Tevin Carter fumble and returned it 19 yards to the end zone to produce the final score of 56-14.
 
The Tigers were led by Henigan's 27-for-36 passing performance for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Blankumsee hauled in a game-high matching six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown. Roc Taylor added six catches of his own for 78 yards, 41 of those coming after the catch. Smith had a 115-yard rushing night with two scores. And defensively, it was Andres Fox gathering in five tackles (1.5 tackles for loss).
 
For BCU, backup quarterback Luke Sprague entered the game in the fourth quarter and connected on 3-of-6 passing for 21 yards. Walter Simmons III earned the start as signal-caller, ending the night 10-for-18 passing for 18 yards. Running back Daveno Ellington had 12 yards, while Omari Stewart broke off a 20-yard run on his lone carry of the evening.
 
The Wildcats defense was anchored by sophomore linebacker Dearis Thomas who had a game-high eight tackles (five solo). Omari Hill-Robinson added seven tackles, while Ja'Bari Jaudon supplied six stops (four solo).
 
Memphis travels to Arkansas State next weekend, while Bethune-Cookman enjoys the home opener for the 2023 campaign when Savannah State visits Daytona Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m.
 
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