TIgers expect challenge from Temple

Saturday, October 12

Philadelphia, Pa.

11:00 a.m. CT

University of Memphis

Temple *

Tickets

Kylan Watkins is averaging 57 yards rushing in his last three games.

Photo by: Tom Morris

Oct 11, 2019 | Football

The Owls are The American's second-best team against the run and the pass

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Perhaps the biggest challenge of the season awaits the University of Memphis football team when it travels to Philadelphia Saturday.

The unbeaten and No. 23-ranked Tigers (5-0) will play Temple (4-1) in an American Athletic Conference game at 11 a.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. At stake is the opportunity to remain atop the division standings, a prospect also facing Temple.

Memphis is 1-0 in league play, one-half game behind SMU (2-0) in the West Division. Temple is also 1-0 in league play, tied with Cincinnati in the East Division.

A win would make the Tigers bowl eligible for the sixth straight season, extending the program record. But before the UofM can entertain those thoughts, it must get past a Temple team that is unbeaten at home and among the conference's top defensive units.

The Owls rank second in rushing defense (125.6 yards per game), second in pass defense (166.8) and second in total defense (292.4 yards per game). As a result, Temple ranks first in the league in scoring defense allowing 17.2 points per game.

Memphis coach Mike Norvell understands the caliber of opponent his team will face. In its four wins, Temple has not allowed an opponent to score more than 17 points.

"We are going to play one of the best (teams) in the league," Norvell said. "This is the best defense we have played this year. This is one of the best defenses in the country. They are extremely talented, they have great length and their three linebackers could play anywhere in the country."

One of five teams in the conference averaging 214 or more yards rushing, the Tigers will challenge the Temple defense. Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell leads the league in rushing (124 yards per game) and quarterback Brady White leads The American in pass efficiency (184.9 rating with 11 touchdowns, 3 interceptions).

"(White) is playing at a high level," Norvell said.

Gainwell is coming off a 209-yard rushing effort in a 52-33 win over Louisiana Monroe. He set a single-game UofM freshman rushing record in the victory.

The Tigers will attempt to become the league's second bowl-eligible team. SMU, which does not play this weekend, is 6-0.

NOTES

* The Tigers are 5-0 for the first time in the Mike Norvell Era and the first time since 2015.
* Memphis also started 5-0 in 1938 and 1961 before winning their first five games in 2015.
* In 2014, the Tigers defeated Temple on the road to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2008. Jake Elliott, currently the kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, booted the game-winner from 31 yards out as time expired.