Memphis football was in search of a spark against MTSU, and Kobee Minor along with the defense delivered it.
Not the left tackle, whom Minor easily bypassed at the line. Not the running back, who had moved to the flat, leaving his quarterback unprepared for what was about to unfold. And certainly not Nicholas Vattiato, the Middle Tennessee State quarterback, who was glancing to his right when, in less than a second, he found himself face down on the ground.
The ball slipped away from Vattiato upon impact, rolling into the hands of Chandler Martin, who scooped it up at the 12-yard line. Meanwhile, Minor was already celebrating near the goal line.
Three plays later, Brandon Thomas scored a touchdown, giving Memphis football a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in a 24-7 victory over the Blue Raiders. Minor’s play was the undeniable turning point that energized a sluggish game after a first quarter marked by missed opportunities and no points from either side.
“When I’m out there, I feel unstoppable,” Minor said. “No matter your size or speed, I’ve got a job to do, and I play with a chip on my shoulder.”
This was another highlight for the Memphis defense, which had faced both praise and criticism throughout the season, especially after last week’s loss to Navy. Minor and the defensive unit have consistently been at the center of the story this season.
Coach Ryan Silverfield set the tone earlier in the day, telling the team, “We’re going to get a sack-forced fumble tonight, and it’s going to get things going.”
Elijah Herring, back from injury and leading the Tigers with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks, noted that the team had been discussing the importance of a strip-sack all week.
While Minor might not have been the favorite to make that play—given he had never achieved a strip-sack before as a cornerback—the situation called for it. He executed a perfect corner blitz, catching the quarterback off guard.
This performance resembled the defensive strength the Tigers showed earlier in the season against teams like North Alabama and Florida State, a stark contrast to their struggles against Navy. It provides a boost of confidence as they head into their bye week.
Minor’s big play was crucial, but he wasn’t the only standout. Jordan Grier made a pivotal play, knocking the ball away from an MTSU receiver near the goal line, leading to a touchback. Herring also had a significant two-play sequence that included a tackle for loss and a half-sack, effectively quelling any hopes of a Blue Raiders comeback.
Silverfield appreciated this resurgence, especially with a challenging matchup against South Florida on the horizon.
“I didn’t want one game to define us,” he said. “As long as we put in the work, we can bounce back. This win helps wash away that bad taste from last week. We’re all human; losses and wins do affect us.”
