University of Memphis Athletics
Friday, September 28
New Orleans, La.
7:00 p.m. CT
University of Memphis
at
Tulane
John 'Pop' Williams will be one of 12 Louisiana natives playing for the Tigers Friday at Tulane.
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Tigers resume conference play at Tulane
Sep 27, 2018 | Football
Memphis hopes to extend streak against Green Wave.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the second time in as many seasons, the University of Memphis football team finds itself opening with a second straight conference game on the road.
A year ago, it was at UCF and UConn. This year, it was a Sept. 8 game at Navy followed by Friday's game at Tulane.
While such conference starts are rare (only the fourth time since the turn of the century), Memphis isn't allowing the American Athletic Conference scheduling quirk to upset its momentum. The Tigers (3-1, 0-1 AAC) are coming off back-to-back lopsided victories at home – 59-22 over Georgia State and 52-35 over South Alabama.
The Green Wave (1-3, 0-0) will be playing at home for the first time since a Sept. 8 victory over Nicholls.
"This year is unique, with our first two conference games both on the road," Tigers coach Mike Norvell said. "With this being on a Friday night on a short week, we really have to do a wonderful job in our preparation.
"We can't control the atmosphere and we can't control the weather. All we can control is ourselves. That's the biggest focus for this week as we are working towards Friday night."
Memphis has won 11 straight in the series, a streak that began in 2002.
While the Tigers are coming off a hard-fought win against South Alabama – Memphis led by only four points late in the third quarter – the Green Wave is playing for the first time since last weekend's 49-6 loss at No. 4 Ohio State.
In its win over South Alabama, the UofM got another strong rushing effort from running back Darrell Henderson. Henderson rushed for 188 yards to maintain his No. 1 position in several NCAA rushing categories. He ranks first nationally in yards rushing (709), rushing average (177.3 yards per game) and yards per carry (12.2).
As for Tulane, the Tigers must be wary of the Green Wave duo of Terren Encalade and Darnell Mooney. Encalade and Mooney are the conference's best receiving tandem. Mooney ranks second in the league with a 96.3-yard average per game.
"This is a huge game for us," Norvell said. "We have to prepare at a high level. We know that this is a very well-coached football team and a very talented team.
"We have to put everything together, make sure we play a complete four-quarter game, clean up some of the mistakes that we had on Saturday night and continue to work to get better."
QUICK FACTS
A year ago, it was at UCF and UConn. This year, it was a Sept. 8 game at Navy followed by Friday's game at Tulane.
While such conference starts are rare (only the fourth time since the turn of the century), Memphis isn't allowing the American Athletic Conference scheduling quirk to upset its momentum. The Tigers (3-1, 0-1 AAC) are coming off back-to-back lopsided victories at home – 59-22 over Georgia State and 52-35 over South Alabama.
The Green Wave (1-3, 0-0) will be playing at home for the first time since a Sept. 8 victory over Nicholls.
"This year is unique, with our first two conference games both on the road," Tigers coach Mike Norvell said. "With this being on a Friday night on a short week, we really have to do a wonderful job in our preparation.
"We can't control the atmosphere and we can't control the weather. All we can control is ourselves. That's the biggest focus for this week as we are working towards Friday night."
Memphis has won 11 straight in the series, a streak that began in 2002.
While the Tigers are coming off a hard-fought win against South Alabama – Memphis led by only four points late in the third quarter – the Green Wave is playing for the first time since last weekend's 49-6 loss at No. 4 Ohio State.
In its win over South Alabama, the UofM got another strong rushing effort from running back Darrell Henderson. Henderson rushed for 188 yards to maintain his No. 1 position in several NCAA rushing categories. He ranks first nationally in yards rushing (709), rushing average (177.3 yards per game) and yards per carry (12.2).
As for Tulane, the Tigers must be wary of the Green Wave duo of Terren Encalade and Darnell Mooney. Encalade and Mooney are the conference's best receiving tandem. Mooney ranks second in the league with a 96.3-yard average per game.
"This is a huge game for us," Norvell said. "We have to prepare at a high level. We know that this is a very well-coached football team and a very talented team.
"We have to put everything together, make sure we play a complete four-quarter game, clean up some of the mistakes that we had on Saturday night and continue to work to get better."
QUICK FACTS
- The Memphis roster has 12 players from Louisiana, including seven on the depth chart: DB Nehemiah Augustus, WR Damonte Coxie, OL Isaac Ellis, OL Titus Jones, DB Josh Perry, WR Pop Williams and DL Jonathan Wilson.
- The Tigers lead the series against Tulane, 22-11-1. Memphis has won 11 straight in the series, the program's second-longest streak against any opponent. The Tigers won 14 straight against North Texas fro 1960-75.
- Tulane QB Jonathan Banks leads the AAC and ranks third nationally in passing yards per completion (17.6).
- The Green Wave has scored in each of its six trips to the red zone this season.
Players Mentioned
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