After an emotional win over Arkansas in Week 4, there were questions about whether Memphis could keep its edge heading into Saturday’s matchup with Florida Atlantic. Early on, those doubts seemed justified. The Tigers entered halftime clinging to a 17–16 lead, and their offense appeared sluggish compared to the explosive unit fans had seen in previous weeks. But whatever head coach Ryan Silverfield told his team at halftime worked.
Memphis came out firing in the second half, completely overwhelming the Owls en route to a 55–26 blowout victory. The win improves the Tigers to 5–0 on the season and is another statement that this program is a legitimate College Football Playoff contender. With conference play officially underway, Memphis looks like a complete team, finding new ways to win each week. Here are our four observations from Saturday’s blowout victory over Florida Atlantic.
Greg Desrosiers is Back to Being Greg Desrosiers
It’s safe to say that Greg Desrosiers is officially back. The former UMass standout reminded everyone on Saturday why he was one of the Tigers’ most anticipated players to watch heading into the 2025 season. After flashing his potential last week against Arkansas, Desrosiers erupted for his best performance in a Memphis uniform, rushing for a game-high 204 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. His explosiveness was on full display during a 90-yard touchdown sprint in the third quarter — a play that broke the game wide open and shifted the momentum entirely in Memphis’s favor.
What stood out most about Desrosiers’s outing wasn’t just the numbers, but how he ran — patient when necessary, aggressive when the hole appeared, and willing to finish every run with authority. This performance validated Ryan Silverfield’s decision to rotate multiple running backs early in the season, allowing Desrosiers to get fully healthy and find his rhythm. With Sutton Smith already emerging as one of the most dynamic backs in college football, the one-two punch of Smith and Desrosiers gives Memphis one of the deepest and most balanced backfields in the Group of Five — and perhaps the nation.
Cortez Braham Rise as the Top Receiving Option Continues
Cortez Braham has quickly become Brendon Lewis’s go-to target — and his play is backing that up in a big way. The Nevada transfer has built on his growing chemistry with Lewis, again posting a 100-yard performance against Florida Atlantic. Braham finished with six catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard touchdown grab highlighting his route-running and deep-ball tracking ability.
Since joining the program in August, Braham has been everything the Tigers’ passing game needed: reliable on third down, dangerous in open space, and capable of making contested catches downfield. His timing with Lewis is a clear advantage, from their shared experience in Nevada’s offensive system. The duo’s comfort level allows Memphis’s offense to operate with a fluidity that wasn’t always there last season. Suppose the Tigers continue their push toward a potential College Football Playoff berth. In that case, Braham’s transfer commitment may become one of the most impactful offseason additions in the entire Group of Five.
Week 5 American Conference Power Rankings
Florida Atlantic’s Fast-Paced Offense Tested Memphis Early
For about 30 minutes, Florida Atlantic made things uncomfortable for Memphis. The Owls’ up-tempo offensive attack, led by quarterback Caden Veltkamp, used quick plays and misdirection to keep the Tigers’ defense off balance. The strategy worked early — FAU managed three rushing touchdowns in the first half, primarily off read-option looks that forced Memphis’s linebackers to commit prematurely.
However, that momentum didn’t last. The Tigers’ defensive staff made critical halftime adjustments that completely flipped the game. Linebackers Sam Brumfield and Everett Roussaw Jr. began crashing inside lanes faster, while the secondary tightened up coverage to take away FAU’s short passing options. The game’s outcome shifted dramatically once Memphis forced Veltkamp to throw more from the pocket. The Tigers controlled the time of possession (31:05 to 28:55), effectively suffocating FAU’s ability to sustain drives or utilize their no-huddle tempo. By the fourth quarter, the Owls’ offense was gassed — and Memphis’s defense was in full command.
Brendon Lewis’s Durability Continues to Set the Tone
If one defining trait encapsulates Brendon Lewis’s tenure as Memphis’s quarterback, it’s his toughness. Saturday’s win over Florida Atlantic was a testament to that. After suffering a shoulder injury that temporarily forced him out of the game, Lewis returned to the field and picked up right where he left off — leading the Tigers’ offense with poise and precision.
Despite the injury scare, Lewis delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, completing 13 of 19 passes for 196 yards and four total touchdowns — two through the air and two on the ground. He added 63 rushing yards, once again proving that his dual-threat ability gives the Tigers’ offense an edge few teams in the American can match.
What makes Lewis’s durability so impressive isn’t just his willingness to absorb hits — it’s how quickly he recovers and maintains composure under pressure. Even after the injury, he showed no hesitation in tucking the ball and running, extending plays, and converting key downs with his legs. His leadership presence and calm demeanor have been instrumental in helping Memphis stay consistent through five games, particularly when the offense needed to regroup.
Lewis’s toughness will be essential as the Tigers move deeper into conference play. His ability to withstand physical punishment and still produce at a high level reflects the grit and resilience that define Ryan Silverfield’s team. Simply put, as long as Brendon Lewis is healthy and under center, Memphis will continue to be one of the most dangerous and balanced teams in the Group of Five.
