Tigers Football Preview: Navy

Saturday, October 14

Memphis, Tenn.

2:45 p.m. CT

University of Memphis

#24 Navy

Tickets

Photo by: Joe Murphy

Oct 13, 2017 | Football

2017 Memphis FB Notes 10 14 NAVY 17 Navy FB release 20171009aaa 2017 American FB release 7b

Memphis, Midshipmen clash in AAC West Division encounter Saturday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Saturday's game is the third American Athletic Conference encounter for the University of Memphis in 2017. But, the match-up against No. 25/24 Navy is when the race for the league's division crown heats up.

The reason? It is Memphis' first against a conference Western Division foe this season.

The Tigers' first two conference games – both versus Eastern Division opponents UCF and Connecticut – count, but contests within the division just mean more. Navy already has a jump on the Western Division with two divisional wins. Memphis is just getting started Saturday with the first of five-straight Western Division games.

Quick Game Facts

Opponent	No. 25/24 Navy
Day/Date	Saturday, Oct. 14
Time	2:45 p.m. (CT)
Site	Memphis, Tenn./Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Television	ESPNU
Radio (Flagship)	600 WREC AM/Rock 103 (102.7 FM)

Memphis Head Coach Mike Norvell
"I'm really pleased with what I'm seeing, and that sets us up this week against a conference Western Division opponent and a top-25 undefeated Navy team. This is a game that everybody's excited to play in. It's going to be a wonderful atmosphere, and we need to have a great crowd. I'm so excited about the opportunity that's in front of us."

34321 — *Pick up a copy of the Tigers Football GameDay Program Saturday.*

(On preparation differences for this week versus any other week)
"Every week presents its own unique make-up when you're evaluating a team's strengths. Obviously, Navy's offensive presentation is something that you don't see very often. We spent a lot of time in the off-season looking at it, trying to evaluate what best fits our personnel and what's the best way to contain what they do. It's always going to be a challenge. The thing that makes it so difficult with them is that you're so concerned with what you're doing in your presentation and trying to simulate the look that they have. When you look at your scout teams and your practice squads, that's definitely difficult to do, especially how fast and efficient they are. And, they've got great playmakers, all guys that can really make you pay. They're averaging 412 yards rushing. Then last week, they had a two minute drive to go win the game, and they marched down the field and were excellent in their conversion. This is a team that is definitely difficult to prepare for."

(On the required discipline when playing a triple option offense)
"Everybody's going to have a job, everybody's going to have an assignment. Then, when you execute that assignment, you've got to do it in a physical nature and make the play. So many people get caught up in playing an option team and they totally focus on the scheme and what you have to do well. You still have to do it against a really good football player, and when you get an opportunity to make the play, you've got to win that battle. We've got to be focused on the little things, and making sure we're executing the plan that's in place. Once you put yourself in a position, you have to make the play."

Tigers Tidbits/Five Notes To Know

Saturday's match-up with Navy brings a second nationally-ranked opponent to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 2017. The Midshipmen are ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press poll and No. 24 in the coaches poll. Earlier this season, Memphis hosted and upset No. 25 UCLA 48-45 at the Liberty Bowl. It is only the fifth time in program history the Tigers play two ranked team at home in a single season. Memphis also hosted two ranked teams in the same season in 1972, 1992, 1996 and 1998.
Memphis plays its American Athletic Conference home opener Saturday after starting league action on the road the last two weeks. The Tigers are 3-2 in their last five conference home openers, dating back to its last season in Conference USA in 2012. Memphis won its last two league home openers with victories over Cincinnati in 2015 and Temple in 2016. But, the Tigers better not get too comfortable at home, as they go back on the road to Houston for an Oct. 19 match-up. Memphis is the only team in the league that is scheduled to play three of its first four conference games on the road to start conference action.
Saturday's game is only the third all-time meeting between the two programs. Navy leads the series 2-0 after winning the first two encounters. The Midshipmen upset the No. 15 Tigers 45-20 at the Liberty Bowl in 2015. Last season, No. 24 Navy held off Memphis 42-28 in Annapolis, Md.
Memphis has faced two of the three service academies in its history, having played Navy and Army. The Tigers are 4-3 versus the service academies with a 4-1 record against Army and a 0-2 mark versus Navy. Of the seven meetings, six have been as conference foes. The past two seasons, the Memphis-Navy encounters were American Athletic Conference contests. From 1999-2002, the Tigers' meetings with Army were Conference USA match-ups.
There is a Memphis-Navy connection other than being American Athletic Conference foes. Less than 20 miles north of Memphis in Millington, Tenn., is the Naval Support Activity Mid-South. In 1942, a Naval Reserve Aviation Base was officially commissioned in Millington. Today, the Naval Support Activity functions with an allowance of approximately 7,500 enlisted and officer personnel, civilians, and full-time contract personnel, who provide all essential logistic and operational support to the commands and activities on board. It is one of the largest single employers in the state of Tennessee.

Know Your Foe/Navy Facts-Stats Leaders

Quick Facts	2017 Statistical Leaders (5 games)
2017 Record: 5-0/3-0 The American	Rushing: Zach Abey (146 carries/870 yds/9 TD)
Head Coach/Yrs: Ken Niumatalolo/10^th in 2017	Passing: Zach Abey (471 yds/5 TD)
Starters Returning: 9 (4 Off/4 Def/1 Special Teams)	Receiving: Tyler Carmona (5 rec/204 yds/3 TD)
Letterwinners Returning: 46	Tackles: Sean Williams (38 total/29 solo/4 PBU)