University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, December 1
Orlando, Fla.
2:30 p.m. CT
University of Memphis
at
#7 UCF
Tigers coach Mike Norvell has the program in its second straight league title game.
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Tigers, Knights stage another battle for American crown
Nov 29, 2018 | Football
Title game is a rematch of last year's championship; fourth meeting between schools since 2017
TV: ABC | WatchESPN.com
Radio: Rock 103 FM | Stream
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Why not a rematch?
After what has transpired between the University of Memphis and UCF football programs the past two years, it only makes sense they'll meet again – for the fourth time since the 2017 season – to determine the American Athletic Conference champion.
The Tigers (8-4) and Knights (11-0) will battle one another in the league title game for the second straight year at 2:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando on the UCF campus.
The game will be carried nationally on ABC.
Memphis and UCF have become all too familiar with one another and the fiercely contested games have intensified one of the league's top rivalries. Although seventh-ranked UCF has won the past three games, the Tigers have come closest to snapping the Knights' winning streak, which has reached 24, the nation's longest.
In last year's league title game, the Tigers led on several occasions, including during the first overtime before the Knights won in two OTs. Earlier this season, the Tigers built a 30-14 lead late in the first half, but were shut out in the second half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. UCF, then 10th-ranked, was able to rally for a 31-30 victory, the only game the Knights didn't win this season by double digits.
Memphis coach Mike Norvell is looking forward to taking his team back to Orlando, a prospect that seemed unlikely a few weeks after a 1-3 league started followed by a 65-33 loss to Missouri.
"It's one game, one opportunity for The American championship," Norvell said. "Our guys are excited. We're grateful to be a part of this game. We're playing a wonderful opponent, a Top 10 UCF team that we've become very accustomed to. We're playing them for the fourth time in two years. I don't know if I've ever seen two opponents play four times in two seasons."
Norvell, his staff and players are familiar with UCF's playmakers, from running backs Adrian Killins Jr., and Greg McCrae to receiver Gabriel Davis. Killins is 2017 first-team all-AAC selection, while McCrae, a former walk-on, is 105 yards shy of a 1,000 in a season. Defensively, strong safety Kyle Gibson is a 2017 first-team all-league pick, too.
"We're familiar with their personnel," Norvell said. "It's the second time we get to go against this coaching staff and the schemes the implement. They are very well coached. They are playing at a high level and you can see the confidence in their guys as they have grown throughout this year. "
UCF will have to play without star quarterback McKenzie Milton, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week's 38-10 win over USF. Redshirt freshman Darriel Mack Jr., will step in and make his second start.
The Tigers resurrected their season by winning their last four regular-season games, including a West Division-clinching, 52-31, win over Houston last Friday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis is led by running back Darrell Henderson, who has rushed for a league-record 1,699 yards this season.
UofM quarterback Brady White has passed for 2,947 yards and 25 touchdowns, both totals ranking among the best single seasons in school history. White is one of 15 QBs in the nationl in the running for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
"Brady has meant everything to this team this year," Norvell said. "Some of the things he has done and decisions he makes pre-snap and post-snap are incredible. He has played at a very high level. He has been consistent in a sense of what he has done throwing the football.
"I'm pleased with what he has done. We need to clean up some decisions on the turnovers, but he has played at a high level."
QUICK HITS
Radio: Rock 103 FM | Stream
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Why not a rematch?
After what has transpired between the University of Memphis and UCF football programs the past two years, it only makes sense they'll meet again – for the fourth time since the 2017 season – to determine the American Athletic Conference champion.
The Tigers (8-4) and Knights (11-0) will battle one another in the league title game for the second straight year at 2:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando on the UCF campus.
The game will be carried nationally on ABC.
Memphis and UCF have become all too familiar with one another and the fiercely contested games have intensified one of the league's top rivalries. Although seventh-ranked UCF has won the past three games, the Tigers have come closest to snapping the Knights' winning streak, which has reached 24, the nation's longest.
In last year's league title game, the Tigers led on several occasions, including during the first overtime before the Knights won in two OTs. Earlier this season, the Tigers built a 30-14 lead late in the first half, but were shut out in the second half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. UCF, then 10th-ranked, was able to rally for a 31-30 victory, the only game the Knights didn't win this season by double digits.
Memphis coach Mike Norvell is looking forward to taking his team back to Orlando, a prospect that seemed unlikely a few weeks after a 1-3 league started followed by a 65-33 loss to Missouri.
"It's one game, one opportunity for The American championship," Norvell said. "Our guys are excited. We're grateful to be a part of this game. We're playing a wonderful opponent, a Top 10 UCF team that we've become very accustomed to. We're playing them for the fourth time in two years. I don't know if I've ever seen two opponents play four times in two seasons."
Norvell, his staff and players are familiar with UCF's playmakers, from running backs Adrian Killins Jr., and Greg McCrae to receiver Gabriel Davis. Killins is 2017 first-team all-AAC selection, while McCrae, a former walk-on, is 105 yards shy of a 1,000 in a season. Defensively, strong safety Kyle Gibson is a 2017 first-team all-league pick, too.
"We're familiar with their personnel," Norvell said. "It's the second time we get to go against this coaching staff and the schemes the implement. They are very well coached. They are playing at a high level and you can see the confidence in their guys as they have grown throughout this year. "
UCF will have to play without star quarterback McKenzie Milton, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in last week's 38-10 win over USF. Redshirt freshman Darriel Mack Jr., will step in and make his second start.
The Tigers resurrected their season by winning their last four regular-season games, including a West Division-clinching, 52-31, win over Houston last Friday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis is led by running back Darrell Henderson, who has rushed for a league-record 1,699 yards this season.
UofM quarterback Brady White has passed for 2,947 yards and 25 touchdowns, both totals ranking among the best single seasons in school history. White is one of 15 QBs in the nationl in the running for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
"Brady has meant everything to this team this year," Norvell said. "Some of the things he has done and decisions he makes pre-snap and post-snap are incredible. He has played at a very high level. He has been consistent in a sense of what he has done throwing the football.
"I'm pleased with what he has done. We need to clean up some decisions on the turnovers, but he has played at a high level."
QUICK HITS
- Memphis coach Mike Norvell picked up his 26th in three seasons in the UofM's 52-31 triumph over Houston last Friday. In doing so, he broke the record of 25 games (set from 1961 to '63) by legendary ex-Tiger coach Billy Murphy.
- UCF sophomore running back Greg McCrae has rushed for 100 or more yards in three of the team's four games in November. He needs 105 rushing yards to become the school's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2013.
- Tiger running back Darrell Henderson leads the nation with 10 rushes of 40 or more yards. He ranks second nationally with 1,699 rushing yards.
- UCF has a knack for forcing turnovers. Last season, the Knights ranked second nationally with a turnover margin of +1.31. They have forced 25 turnovers in 11 games this season and rank second nationally with a margin of +1.45. They have forced at least one turnover in 30 straight games.
- Under Norvell, the Tigers are 10-1 in November.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballFootball: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-October 15, 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-October 15, 2025
Wednesday, October 15
Football: Tim Cramsey Press Conference-October 14, 2025
Tuesday, October 14
Football: Ryan Silverfield Press Conference-October 13, 2025
Monday, October 13