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For the first time since 2014, the Troy Trojans have started a season 0-2 after falling to the Memphis Tigers (2-0) on the road.

The Trojans came into the game with a number of injuries, including starting center Eli Russ, who missed the game. Troy would suffer more injuries in the loss. The Trojans also started the game without starting running back Damien Taylor, who was forced to miss the first half after being flagged for targeting in the second half against Nevada last week.

Memphis sliced right through the Trojan defense to open the game, marching on a 14-play scoring drive that running back Brandon Thomas capped off with a 2-yard scoring run to put the Tigers up 7-0 with 8:35 left in the third quarter.

As the second quarter began, Goose Crowder led Troy on a 13-play drive that he capped off with an 11-yard touchdown run to tie things up 7-7 with 12:51 left in the first half. That play, however, could be considered the turning point of the game, though. Crowder landed on his throwing shoulder on the touchdown and would leave the game with an injury. He would not return to the game.

Memphis proceeded to reel off 24 unanswered points. Troy didn’t score again until Scott Taylor Renfroe booted a 22-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the Memphis lead to 31-10.

Memphis extended its lead to 38-10 with 13:03 left in the fourth quarter on a 4-yard run by Mario Anderson. Troy finally found the end zone again when backup quarter Matthew Caldwell scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak as Troy cut the Memphis lead to 38-17 with just over six minutes remaining.

Memphis rolled up 372 yards of offense against Troy, while the Trojans managed 251 yards. Troy was penalized eight times, four of those were pass interference penalties. Troy was also 9-of-16 on third downs.

Caldwell completed 11-of-19 passes for 113 yards and a rushing touchdown, while Crowder completed 5-of-7 passes for 37 yards and a rushing touchdown before leaving with the injury. Peyton Higgins caught seven passes for 53 yards and Zeriah Beason caught four passes for 60 yards. Damien Taylor rushed for 33 yards on seven carries.

Brendan Jackson led the Troy defense with nine tackles and a tackle-for-loss, while Ian Conerly-Goodly tallied eight tackles.

For Memphis, Seth Henigan completed 20-of-32 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Mario Anderson rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Elijah Herring led the Memphis defense with eight tackles, two tackles-for-loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Troy will look to rebound next week on the road at Iowa.