Tigers Football Preview: SMU

Saturday, November 18

Memphis, Tenn.

11:00 AM CT

University of Memphis

SMU

Tickets

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Nov 17, 2017 | Football

2017 Memphis FB Notes 11 18 SMU 2017 SMU FB Game Notes vs Memphis 2017 American FB release 12b

Memphis to battle for conference West Division crown Saturday.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tiger Nation, please don't allow a "less-than-perfect" forecast stop you from witnessing history at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday when the University of Memphis football team hosts SMU.

Yes, the forecast is calling for some rain. But, to miss seeing in person what could possibly happen at the Liberty Bowl is something you could regret for a while – and maybe then some.

What's at stake? For the first time in program history, a shot at a conference division title and a spot in a league championship game are on the line. Along with more history-making.

Game Quick Facts

Opponent	SMU
Day/Date	Saturday, Nov. 18
Time	11 a.m. (CT)
Site	Memphis, Tenn./Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Television	ESPNews
Radio (Flagship)	600 WREC AM/Rock 103 (102.7 FM)

Memphis Head Coach Mike Norvell
"It was nice to be able to get an early jump start on SMU (with our bye week). We know we have a very talented football team coming here Saturday. You look at this SMU team, and it's one that has been in a lot of close games. They have had great success. Coach (Chad) Morris has them playing at a high level. It is one of the most explosive offenses in the country and ranked in the top-10 in scoring. Defensively, it's a team that is built a lot of the same ways that we are. They thrive at creating takeaways and explosive plays on that side of the ball. They are doing it with a lot of top quality players. Special teams will be a big focus. Any time you have a championship game, one that has big implications, you have to be good in all three phases.

34754 — *Get a copy of the Memphis Tigers Gameday Program Saturday.*

"It is going to take our best effort this week. For us, this is the first time that we have been able to mention the word 'championship,' because that is there in front of us. To be the West Division champion, that is a goal that we set at the beginning of the year. If we can find a way to be successful, that's something that is there for us to achieve. To be able to play in front of your home crowd, that is a big thing. We need great support from Tiger Nation. It's going to be an exciting day.

"That trip to Tulsa last week was our biggest step to date because we had to go on the road in conference, and our kids finished it in a dominant fashion. So, now it makes this one that much bigger, knowing that you are playing for something late in the season. All the goals that we listed on our board back in January are still attainable. That is a compliment to these players. That is a compliment to these coaches and to everybody that is involved with it. This opportunity, Saturday at 11 a.m. is the greatest challenge that we have had, but it is also one of the greatest opportunities this program has had since I've been here. Our kids feel it and our city feels it. We talk about showcase games. This is a showcase game. If we can find a way to have success, everybody around this community is going to be able to celebrate."

Tigers Tidbits/Five Notes To Know

Saturday's game is only the 10^th overall meeting between the two programs. Memphis leads the overall series 6-3 and has won the last three meetings. The Tigers are 3-2 versus SMU in games played in Memphis and won their last time at the Liberty Bowl, a 63-0 victory in the 2015 regular-season finale. In the last three match-ups, Memphis has outscored SMU 162-17.
Although Veterans Day was a week ago, Memphis is taking time Saturday to honor those men and women that serve and protect our country. The men and women in the U.S. military are on the front lines every day, and they should be recognized for their service at every opportunity. Memphis is doing that Saturday, so from Tiger Nation, "Thank you."
The Saturday wake-up calls for 11 a.m. (CT) kickoffs are early. However, the Tigers love playing the morning-kickoff contests, and the numbers prove it. Since the 2014 campaign, Memphis is a perfect 6-0 in games that kick off at 11 a.m. (CT), including five at the Liberty Bowl. Three of the most memorable wins in Tigers history came in recent 11 a.m. (CT) starts. Earlier this season, Memphis defeated No. 25 UCLA 48-45, and in last season's regular-season finale, the Tigers upset No. 18/21 Houston 48-44. In 2015, the Tigers defeated No. 12 Ole Miss 37-24. Saturday, Memphis welcomes conference rival SMU for a West Division title showdown. Kickoff time: 11 a.m. (CT).
Last season, the SMU game in Dallas was a homecoming for Memphis head coach Mike Norvell. He grew up the Dallas suburb of Irving and attended high school in Arlington. Now, Norvell and the Tigers welcome his hometown school to the Liberty Bowl. Memphis won last season's match-up, a 51-7 victory at SMU.
The two head coaches, Memphis' Mike Norvell and SMU's Chad Morris, are friends and will remain that way, but, for three hours Saturday, the two are on opposing sidelines. The duo, though, served on the same Tulsa staff in 2010. Under head coach Todd Graham, the tandem helped lead the Golden Hurricane to a 10-3 overall record and the C-USA West Division title. In 2010, Tulsa scored one of the program's most prestigious victories, a 28-27 win over Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

Know Your Foe/SMU Facts-Stats Leaders

Quick Facts	2017 Statistical Leaders
2017 Record: 6-4/3-3 The American	Rushing: Xavier Jones (141 carries/806 yds/7 TD)
Head Coach/Yrs: Chad Morris/3^rd in 2017	Passing: Ben Hicks (2849 yds/24 TD)
Starters Returning: 12 (7 Off/5 Def)	Receiving: Trey Quinn (96 rec/1008 yds/8 TD); Courtland Sutton (55 rec/875 yds/11 TD)
Letterwinners Returning: 38	Tackles: Mikial Onu (77 total/58 solo/2 INT/4 PBU)