Tigers Fall to NC State in Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl
TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Memphis football team (8-5) fell to NC State (8-5) Friday afternoon by a score of 31-7 in the 2025 Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl.
Brendon Lewis paced the quarterbacks, finishing 14-of-25 for 106 yards through the air while adding 51 rushing yards. AJ Hill provided an efficient spark, completing 6-of-7 passes for 48 yards. On the ground, Khyair Spain led all rushers with a career-high 65 yards on nine carries.
Jamari Hawkins had a big day, recording four receptions for 32 yards and accounting for the Tigers’ lone score on a 28-yard touchdown catch from Lewis. Marcello Bussey contributed three catches for 34 yards, while TJ Holmes and Hill connected late for three receptions and 28 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Sam Brumfield, Chris Bracy and Drue Watts all recorded team-bests of seven tackles while Watts had 1.5 tackles for loss.
After NC State scored on three of its first four drives, the Tigers got on the board when Brendon Lewis connected with Jamari Hawkins for a 28-yard score.
Drue Watts helped stop the Wolfpack in the third quarter when he sacked NC State’s quarterback for nine yards. Five plays later, Jayden Marable recorded a tackle for loss against the Wolfpack offense that stifled their drive.
Watt’s sack marked the seventh straight game in which the Tiger defense recorded at least one sack. Memphis has now produced a sack in eight of its last nine bowl games.
Defensively, the Tigers remained resilient after halftime, shutting out the Wolfpack in the third quarter and forcing a turnover on downs to open the fourth.
However, despite holding NC State scoreless in the second half, Memphis was unable to generate offense and ultimately fell 31-7.
Dating back to a win over UAB during the 2023 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 27 of its last 33 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 57 takeaways (32 INT, 25 FR).
The Tigers have extended their active streak of games with two or fewer turnovers to 29 games, which is the second-longest streak by an American Conference team and the longest active streak in the conference. The streak is also the sixth-longest active streak by an FBS program.