Tigers play regular-season road finale at SMU

Friday, November 16

Dallas, Texas

8:00 p.m. CT

University of Memphis

SMU

Tickets

RB Darrell Henderson leads the nation with 1,840 all-purpose yards.

Photo by: Savanna Elkins

Nov 15, 2018 | Football

Memphis Notes (vs. SMU)SMU Notes (vs. Memphis)American Athletic Conference Notes

Memphis looking to keep West Division title hopes alive

By: Phil Stukenborg

TV: ESPN2 | WatchESPN.com
Radio: 600 WREC AM and Rock 103 FM | Stream
Live Stats: SMUMustangs.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After becoming bowl eligible following last weekend's American Athletic Conference victory over Tulsa, the University of Memphis football team finds itself a bit greedy. The Tigers will be looking for even more Friday night at SMU.

The UofM (6-4, 3-3 AAC) will attempt to:

extend a four-game winning streak against SMU
extend a magical junior season by running back Darrell Henderson
prolong an efficient recent run by quarterback Brady White
keep its West Division hopes alive.

Memphis recovered from a mid-season stumble – losses to nationally ranked UCF and Missouri – to knock off East Carolina and Tulsa and regain momentum during its third season under coach Mike Norvell. A win against SMU and another in the regular-season finale next week at home against Houston sends the Tigers into a second-straight league championship game.

SMU (5-5, 4-2), however, will present a challenge in the game, which kicks off at 8 p.m., and will be shown on ESPN2. The Mustangs have played some of their best football against the league's top teams. They own a victory over Houston and took Cincinnati to overtime before falling.

And SMU features receiver James Proche, who leads the league in receptions (70) and touchdowns (9).

"You see a team that has improved each and every week," Norvell said. "They have a first-year coaching staff that at the beginning of the year you could tell that they were all kind of getting on the same page. But they have improved every week. They have been in close games and they have been battle tested.

"It's a team that is playing at a high level. We know that we have to go down there and there will be adversity. They are going to make their plays but we have to truly focus on ourselves, make sure that we are playing the best brand of ball that we can and continue to improve each and every week."

The Tigers have been re-energized by the return of Henderson, who missed most of the Missouri game after sustaining a first-quarter injury. An All-American candidate, Henderson leads the nation with a 9.15 yards-per-carry average and ranks second nationally with 1,446 rushing yards.

In last weekend's win over Tulsa, Henderson rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He is tied for the national lead in scoring with 20 TDs, 17 of which have come on the ground. Earlier this week, he was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back.

In addition to Henderson's contributions, the Tigers are benefiting from White's recent run. He has completed 70 percent of his passes (35-of-50) the past two games for 546 yards and five TDs.

"I think that is something that has shown up the last couple of weeks," Norvell said. "Coming off of a bye week, I think he is definitely moving better. He has been able to avoid some contact at times and been able to extend plays. That is something that I have been pleased to see.

"He is also getting the ball out quick. Even when there has been a little bit of pressure, usually he has made the quick decision to get the ball out of his hand and is being very efficient."