MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Darrell Henderson rushed for 169 yards and two long touchdowns, and Tony Pollard returned a kickoff 99 yards to lead Memphis to a 37-29 win over Louisiana Monroe in the season opener on Thursday night.
Henderson, who had just 12 carries, scored from 55 and 63 yards. Patrick Taylor had a 66-yard touchdown and finished with 131 yards on 15 carries. Both backs were at 106 yards at halftime, the first time either sophomore has topped 100 yards.
Henderson, Taylor and quarterback Riley Ferguson had rushing touchdowns for a 20-7 halftime lead before Pollard opened the second half with his school record third kickoff return.