Memphis football’s revamped defense passed its first test. How far can the Tigers go?

Half an hour into Memphis football’s season-opening win over North Alabama, linebacker Chandler Martin summed up Jordon Hankins’ defensive scheme.

“If we have a call that doesn’t allow us to play fast, we throw it away,” Martin said. “Coach Hankins does a great job of allowing us to think less and play faster.”

There was never a moment during the Tigers’ 40-0 win when the final outcome was in doubt, but the defensive performance was still noteworthy — it was their first shutout since a 59-0 win over North Alabama in 2022 .Saturday’s game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium was fans’ first chance to see what Memphis’ defense would look like under Hankins, and the early returns were certainly encouraging.

There were three completions, including an interception from Davion Ross, the cornerback who missed most of the 2023 season after suffering an injury in the second game of the season. It was almost a fourth down when Martin scooped up a fumble and carried it into the end zone before the play was called back after replay review.

Memphis wants to make the expanded College Football Playoff this season. To get there, the defense needs to be better than it was last season, when the Tigers were 92nd in the nation in scoring defense and routinely had trouble containing explosive offenses.

“To be honest, we weren’t that good on defense last year,” said Martin, a first-team All-AAC player who led Memphis in tackles a season ago and Saturday. “And I take that personally. So I tell my guys all the time, ‘We’re going to be good on defense this year. We won’t have to let the offense score 50 points. We don’t do that. no more.’ We’re proud of every game and we’ll let the results take care of themselves.”

Hankins – who is also the linebackers coach – took over as interim defensive coordinator before the AutoZone Liberty Bowl win over Iowa State and instituted a completely new defensive scheme in less than a month. That kept the Cyclones guessing all game and ended with a remarkable stat: Memphis allowed zero rushing yards.

He earned his full-time job a few days later. Throughout the offseason, Hankins has said the defensive scheme could change from week to week — so there’s no telling if the team that trots out against Troy on Saturday (11 a.m. CT, ESPNU) will look anything like the one who dominated. North Alabama. It’s hard to argue with the results, though – zero rushing yards allowed, and then a shutout.

“If he can do that consistently for the rest of the season, he’s going to be my best friend,” coach Ryan Silverfield said.

There were plenty of notable contributors and plenty of new faces. Harvard transfer Matt Hudson came up with an interception and Tennessee transfer Elijah Herring had four tackles and a sack. The strength of the defense is undoubtedly the linebacker corps, with Hudson, Herring and Martin a formidable trio that had complete control of Saturday’s game.

Georgia State transfer Javon Denis had a fumble recovery and Louisiana-Monroe transfer AJ Watts was second on the team with five tackles.

In other words: This is a defense rebuilt around Martin.

“Kudos to our defense,” quarterback Seth Henigan said. “A shutout is always amazing. I’m very proud of our guys in every phase. Chandler Martin played a great game, we had more turnovers. That’s going to make your team win the game and be successful 10 out of 10 times.”

Last season’s success was all about the offense, with Henigan often putting up eye-popping numbers and helping Memphis win shots, such as a 59-50 triumph over South Florida or a 45-42 upset of North Texas. Still, those games featured significant defensive turnovers, and the Tigers won’t make the College Football Playoff if that continues.

“If they can get threes every game and play like that,” Silverfield said, “we’ve got a chance.”

Reach sportswriter Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on the Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Memphis football defense crushed North Alabama in season opener