Tigers Football Preview: Cincinnati

Friday, November 18

Cincinnati, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

Cincinnati

Tickets

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Nov 17, 2016 | Football

Memphis FB Notes Cincinnati FB Notes The American FB Notes

Memphis, Cincinnati renews longtime rivalry Friday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – College football fans love rivalries, and that's what they get to watch the next two weekends as the regular season winds down.

A longtime rivalry that reaches back to the late 1960s is a part of this special time when the University of Memphis faces Cincinnati Friday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. (CT). CBS Sports Network is televising the American Athletic Conference match-up from Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Tigers and Bearcats started the rivalry in 1966, and it has been carried over the years through stints in the Missouri Valley Conference, Conference USA and now The American. Of their 33 previous encounters, 15 were decided by 10 or fewer points.

But, in their final seasons in Conference USA, the rivalry – especially in late November games –produced thrilling "down-to-the-wire" outcomes. From 1999-2004, the Tigers and Bearcats played one of the season's last two weekends four times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2003). Those four encounters all were single-digit results, with the teams splitting the games (two Memphis wins, two Cincinnati wins).

The largest margin in those contests was a Memphis eight-point victory (21-13) in 1999. The average margin of victory in the four match-ups was 4.5 points.

Although Tiger Nation sees Friday as a rivalry renewal, head coach Mike Norvell views the contest an important one because it's the next game on the schedule, rivalry or not.

"Our focus is completely on this game," Norvell said. "It's a primetime match-up on national television. We're playing an opponent with its back against the wall. This should be a game where both teams come out and give everything they have.

"They've had some struggles, but they've been competitive in every game. Defensively, they are playing at a high level. They got put in some tough situations last week. On the offensive side, they are big and physical. They have some good backs and explosive playmakers on the perimeter."

Television: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 600 WREC/102.9 FM (Flagship station)
Live Stats: gobearcats.com/gametracker; cincinnati.statbroadcast.com
LiveTweet: @Tigersmedia, @MemphisFB

Tigers Tidbits/Five Notes To Know
• Memphis holds a 20-13 lead in the all-time series, but the Bearcats have an 8-7 edge in games played in Cincinnati. The Tigers are looking for their third-straight win in the series, having won the 2014 (41-14 in Cincinnati) and 2015 (53-46 in Memphis) encounters. The last time Memphis won three straight in the series was from 1984-92 (1984, 1989, 1992). The Bearcats' last victory in the series was a 34-21 win at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 2013.

• When the Tigers take the field versus Cincinnati Friday, many longtime fans will notice a familiar face on the Bearcats' sideline in head coach Tommy Tuberville. The Cincinnati mentor is at his fourth stop where he has faced Memphis. Tuberville has been on the opposing sideline in stints at Arkansas State (1980-84; assistant), Miami, Fla. (1986-93; assistant), Ole Miss (1995-98; head coach) and Cincinnati (2013-present; head coach). The Tigers are 5-4-1 in games with Tuberville on the other sideline.

• It's been feast or famine for the Tigers defense in 2016. In its six victories, the Memphis defense held opponents to 12.5 points and 335.5 yards of total offense per game. The Tigers also forced 20 turnovers (11 interceptions/9 fumble recoveries) in those six games. Conversely, Memphis allowed 49.5 points and 607.8 yards of total offense in the four setbacks. The Tigers defense had only three takeaways in the four losses.

• While most of the spotlight has been on Anthony Miller and deservedly so, Riley Ferguson is quietly putting together one of the best seasons for a QB in program history. Ferguson is 222-of-350 passing for 2,896 yards and 24 TD. His completions (8^th), attempts (8^th), yards (5^th) and TD (3^rd) all are in the top-10 for a season in program history. Ferguson's completions (10^th), yards (7^th) and TD (8^th) already appear on the program's career charts.

• For the second time in three weeks, both offenses are to be on high alert as both defenses are "takeaway-happy." Memphis is third nationally in total takeaways with 23. The Tigers are ninth nationally in fumble recoveries and 21^st nationally in interceptions. Cincinnati is 22^nd nationally in takeaways with 20 total (15 interceptions/5 fumble recoveries). The Bearcats are eighth nationally with 15 interceptions.

Scouting Cincinnati
The Bearcats bring a 4-6 overall record and a 1-5 American Athletic Conference mark into Friday's telecast on the CBS Sports Network. Cincinnati has dropped three straight and five of its last six. The Bearcats' last win was a 31-19 victory over East Carolina Oct. 22.

All three Cincinnati QB have seen playing time this season. Hayden Moore and Gunner Kiel split time in the Bearcats' last game versus UCF Nov. 12. Hayden has 1,229 yards on 103-of-184 passing and seven TD. Kiel is 66-of-127 passing for 804 yards and six scores. The tandem have combined to throw seven interceptions.

Devin Gray (49 catches/684 yards) and Nate Cole (46 catches/464 yards) lead the receiving corps. Khalil Lewis has a team-high five TD receptions. Tion Green is the squad's top rusher with 635 yards on 133 carries and two TD.

The Bearcats defense is allowing foes over 400 yards of total offense per game. LB Eric Wilson and DB Zach Edwards are ranked among the top-five tacklers in the American Athletic Conference. Wilson is tops in the league with 104 total stops (48-56), and Edwards is fifth in the conference with 73 tackles (42-31). Wilson is tops on the team in sacks and second in TFL.