Tigers 're-start' season; face SMU in Dallas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis, ranked 24^th in the nation, will return to the playing field for the first time in nearly a month when it travels to SMU Saturday for an American Athletic Conference game.

Kickoff is scheduled 2:30 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the SMU campus.

A Covid-19 outbreak following the UofM's season-opening victory over Arkansas State on Sept. 5 created the lengthy break, which included the inability to play a home game against Houston (Sept. 19) and a road game against UTSA (Sept. 26).

Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield is looking forward to the challenge of playing one of the league's best teams on the road. And he's looking forward to getting the UofM back into a rhythm.

"We really have to be fundamentally sound," Silverfield said. "I don't think we have (perfect) in all three phases of the game, but that's how you try to knock the rust off – by playing fundamentally sound-like.

"(The effects of a layoff) is in the back of my mind, sure. Twenty-eight days since playing is a heck of a long time."

As for SMU, Silverfield said the Mustangs are "moving on all cylinders."

SMU is 3-0 and led by quarterback Shane Buechele.

Buechele threw for 367 yards and one touchdown in the season opener against Texas State and earned National Performer of the Week honors for his Week 2 outing against North Texas State, throwing for 344 yards passing and four touchdowns.

"Obviously, they have a high-powered offense," Silverfield said. "And they have weapons all around on offense. Defensively, I believe they are a team that led the country in sacks last year. I know they are a team that creates a lot of tackles for loss. They are very efficient. They have a lot of things going in the right direction."

The Tigers will be led offensively by veteran quarterback Brady White, who threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas State. Tight end Sean Dykes had 10 receptions for 137 yards and two TDs.

NOTES

The last time Memphis had a layoff of at least 28 days was in the 2017 season between the AAC Championship Game on Dec. 2 and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 30.
The Tigers played only one game in September for the first time since 1964. Memphis played Ole Miss on Sept. 19 and its next game was against Tampa on Oct. 3.
Memphis has won the previous six meetings in the series against SMU dating to 2014.
SMU is averaging 48.7 points and 562 yards per game. The 48.7 points ranks fifth nationally.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Sean Dykes

Brady White

University of Memphis Athletics