Tigers, South Alabama set for first-time meeting

Saturday, September 22

Memphis, Tenn.

7:00 p.m. CT

University of Memphis

South Alabama

Tickets

Tigers quarterback Brady White has thrown for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns in three games.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Sep 21, 2018 | Football

Memphis Notes (vs. South Alabama)South Alabama Notes (vs. Memphis)American Athletic Conference Notes

Memphis closing non-conference portion of its schedule

By: Phil Stukenborg

TV: WMC-TV | WATCH ESPN
Radio: 600 WREC AM and Rock 103 FM | Stream
Live Stats: GoTigersGo.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Saturday night against South Alabama at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the University of Memphis will finish the non-conference portion of its season before resuming American Athletic Conference play.

And the Tigers (2-1) will find themselves in a familiar position playing an unfamiliar opponent.

For the third time this season, the Tigers will meet a first-time opponent. Earlier this season, Memphis played host to Mercer and Georgia State for the first time. The Tigers defeated Mercer, 66-14, and beat Georgia State, 59-22.

40724 — *Pick up a copy of the Tigers GameDay Program at the Liberty Bowl.*

Despite the lopsided results against the earlier first-time foes, Memphis coach Mike Norvell is expecting a challenge from South Alabama, led by coach Steve Campbell. The Jaguars (1-2) are coming off a 41-31 victory over Texas State, one in which they overcame a 15-point third-quarter deficit.

"You see an extremely tough and physical – and very passionate – football team," Norvell said. "They play extremely hard and are going to vary offensively."

Norvell is most concerned about the South Alabama defense. In the Jaguars' win over Texas State, the defense forced three turnovers in a game for the third time this season. And they were credited with 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage, in addition to breaking up 10 passes.

"Their (defensive) line is the best one we will have played against so far this year," Norvell said. "(They have) very aggressive linebackers with downhill players and versatile guys in the backfield that can play multiple styles of coverage.

"(Against Texas State) they were down . . . but they responded. They have a pick-6 and then another interception that they (returned) to the 5-yard line. You see a team that is growing in confidence with what they are being asked to do."

Campbell comes to South Alabama from Central Arkansas, where in four seasons he led the UCA to back-to-back Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances.

"I know this is going to be a well-coached football team," Norvell said.

The Tigers have begun the season on an offensive binge, led by running back Darrell Henderson and first-year quarterback Brady White. Henderson has rushed for 200 or more yards in back-to-back games – last accomplished by DeAngelo Williams 13 years ago – and White has passed for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns in three games.

"Darrell's really having an exceptional year," Norvell said. "And, when you look at it, he's essentially played about two games worth of total snaps."

Defensively, the Tigers are continuing their trend of forcing turnovers at a high rate. Memphis has recorded at least one takeaway in 19 consecutive games. The Tigers are one of seven teams to have forced 60 or more turnovers in the past three seasons.