UofM returns to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for only October home game.
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Bounce back week?
Although the University of Memphis football team didn't have a `theme' for this week leading into Saturday's 6 p.m. game against Tulane, bounce back would appear to make sense.
The Tigers (5-1 overall, 1-1 American Athletic Conference) are coming off their first loss of the season, a heartbreaking 30-28 defeat at Temple last weekend that dropped the UofM out of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
Pick up a copy of the Memphis GameDay program Saturday.
As for playing Tulane, there's motivation there as well. The Tigers are also looking to avenge a league loss in New Orleans last season, a 40-24 setback in rainy conditions that dampened some early season momentum.
In Tulane, the Tigers will face a program on the rebound. The Green Wave is 5-1 through six games for the first time since 1998, the year in which Tulane finished unbeaten and ranked in the Top 10. They are 2-0 in The American.
"This Tulane team is the best Tulane team we will play since we have been here," said Memphis coach Mike Norvell. "You watch them, they have been incredible in really every game. The only game they came up short was on the road against Auburn. That was a 60-minute battle for them."
Leading Tulane's resurgence has been quarterback Justin McMillan, who threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-7 victory over UConn last weekend. McMillan took over as the team's starting quarterback midway through last season and is 10-2 as the starter.
Behind McMillan, the Green Wave is averaging 39.2 points and 496.per game. Tulane's running game is averaging 288 yards, second in The American to rush-centric Navy (327.2).
"Offensively, it's one of the most explosive offenses in the country," Norvell said. "They are averaging over six yards per rush attempt (and) . . . push the ball down the field. There is a lot of versatility in who they are getting the ball to and how they are getting the ball to them. I think it's going to be a great challenge for our team."
The Tigers have been led this season by freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell, who leads The American in rushing at 121 yards per game. Tight end Joey Magnifico is averaging 22.3 yards per reception.
Magnifico nearly helped the Tigers recover from a 23-7 deficit at Temple last week. With the UofM trailing 30-28 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, Magnifico appeared to have made a spectacular diving catch on a fourth-and-9 at the Temple 30 for a Memphis first down. But a subsequent review of the play by officials ruled the pass incomplete.
"I know a lot of attention goes to one play in that game, but really, I'm past that play," Norvell said. "That play we have no control over, what the call was. "
Returning home and playing their lone game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in October should be of some comfort for the Tigers. The UofM's last home game was Sept. 26 against Navy.
"We're excited to be back in the Liberty Bowl," Norvell said. "It is kind of a unique year when it comes to our schedule. This is our only October game at home, so we are expecting a big crowd. We need to have a great crowd and it needs to be a wonderful home-field advantage for us."
