University of Memphis Athletics
NOTES: Tigers Head to Orlando to Face UCF
Oct 20, 2021 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Tigers will continue American Athletic Conference play at UCF in the Bounce House in Orlando, Fla.
The game is scheduled for an 6 p.m. CT kick and will be televised nationally on ESPN2. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• This past Saturday, the Tigers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 35-17 win over Navy at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis. The Tigers earned the win thanks to explosive plays on offense and limiting them on the defense. The Midshipmen were held to just 241 total yards of offense, while the Memphis defense racked up a season-high four sacks.
• Last season, Memphis posted a record of 8-3 in head coach Ryan Silverfield's first season at the helm of the program. The year ended with a 25-10 win over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl.
SCOUTING UCF
• UCF fell on the road to No. 3/4-ranked Cincinnati, 56-21, this past Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats scored the game's first 35 points to take early control before halftime against the Knights, who allowed 336 yards rushing and six rushing scores in the setback.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Knights were tabbed to finish second in the AAC behind favorite Cincinnati in a poll conducted of the league's media. UCF earned two first-place votes in the poll.
• Last season, the Knights finished with an overall record of 6-4 and a mark of 5-3 in the AAC. UCF earned a bid to the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, where they fell to No. 13/15 BYU, 49-23.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game at UCF will mark the 16th between the Knights and the Tigers dating back to the 1990 season.
• Memphis snapped UCF's 13-game winning streak in the series last season with a thrilling, 50-49 win at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Oct. 17.
• The Tigers pulled off the largest comeback in program history in the victory, rallying from a 21-point deficit. Memphis trailed 35-14 in the third quarter before outscoring UCF 36-14 the rest of the way.
NON-SATURDAY SUCCESS
• Since the start of 2014, Memphis is 20-1 in non-Saturday, regular-season games, including a 10-1 mark on the road.
• Memphis is 14-1 in Friday night contests since 2014.
• The Tigers are 6-0 in Thursday night games and 10-0 at the Liberty Bowl in non-Saturday, regular season games.
AMAZING AUSTIN III
• Redshirt senior Calvin Austin III has established himself as one of the best wide receivers and weapons in the NCAA.
• Austin III ranks second in the NCAA in receiving yards (857) and ranks fifth in receiving yards per game (122.4) and all-purpose yards (151.7).
• The redshirt senior also ranks fourth in the country in receiving touchdowns (8), 12th in receptions per game (7.1) and eighth in total touchdowns (10).
• He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 20 yards (16), 50 yards (5) and 60 yards (3).
• Austin III has posted two of the top-five receiving games in program history this year. His 239 yards at Arkansas State rank second, while his 200 at Tulsa rank fifth.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 69 victories since 2014, giving the Tigers the 10th-most wins in the nation during that stretch.
• The 69 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 11th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 69-29 (.709) mark.
• Memphis is one of only five FBS programs with at least eight wins each of the last seven seasons (Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Oklahoma).
TIGERS TAKE DOWN NAVY
• Memphis used big play on offense and a great defensive effort to beat Navy, 35-17, on Oct. 14.
• The Tigers had five plays of over 30 yards in the victory, including a 74-yard receiving score from Eddie Lewis and a 69-yard rushing touchdown from Calvin Austin III.
• Defensively, Memphis racked up a season-high four sacks and limited Navy to just 43 yards passing and 241 total yards.
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks second in the NCAA in total tackles (11.0) and is sixth in the nation in solo tackles (6.9).
• On the season, he leads the team with 77 total tackles, including 48 solo.
TRUE FRESHMAN HENIGAN CONTINUES TO SHINE
• Through seven weeks, true freshman Seth Henigan has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
• Henigan ranks fifth in the NCAA in passing yards per completion (15.60), sixth in passing yards (2,153), 10th in passing yards per game (307.6) and 10th in passing touchdowns (16).
• Henigan is the highest-ranked true freshman in each of those categories.
• With his 2,153 passing yards on the season, Henigan broke Paxton Lynch's program record of 2,056 passing yards as a freshman, set during Lynch's redshirt year in 2013.
• Henigan's 463 passing yards at Tulsa were the fourth-most passing yards in Memphis history.
• After his 22-of-33 for 417 yards and five touchdown performance at Arkansas State on Sept. 11, Henigan was named to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 and to the midseason Davey O'Brien Award Watch List.
• Against Nicholls on Sept. 4, Henigan became the first true freshman QB to start a season opener in Memphis football history.
YOUTH IS SERVED
• Memphis has played a total of 24 redshirt or true freshmen this season. Of that total, 12 are true freshmen.
• Of the true freshmen who have played, quarterback Seth Henigan has started every game, while defensive back Greg Rubin has started six of seven.
• Six of the true freshmen have seen action in at least four games - Zy Brockington, Bryce Edmondson, Noah Grant, Henigan, Rubin and Cameron Smith.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
• True freshman defensive back Greg Rubin ranks fifth in the nation in passes defended (1.6).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks seventh in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (6.0) and 28th in the country in total tackles (8.9).
MEMPHIS OFFENSE AMONGST BEST IN NATION
• Through seven weeks of the season, the Memphis offense is amongst the best in the nation.
• The Tigers rank 10th in the NCAA in total offense (487.0), 17th in passing offense (307.6) and 23rd in scoring offense (35.9).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 27 receptions for 441 yards and five touchdowns.
• His 441 receiving yards rank him fourth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his four scores are also fourth-best and his 26 receptions are seventh-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,610 receiving yards.
• Prior to this season, he was named to the Mackey Award Watch List and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List.
• In 2020, Dykes earned Honorable-Mention All-American Athletic Conference honors after reeling in 47 receptions for 581 yards and seven touchdowns.
• He averaged 12.4 yards per catch and totaled two games with over 100 yards receiving, including a standout performance in the victory over USF, going for 147 yards and two scores on seven catches.
STUD PUNTER
• Redshirt punter Joe Doyle has been terrific for the Tigers this season, establishing himself as one of the best in the nation.
• Doyle and Memphis rank ninth in the NCAA in both punt return defense (1.40) and net punting (43.91).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 23 times for an average of 46.0 yards, including nine of 50 yards or more and 10 inside the 20-yard line.
• For his efforts, Doyle was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List.
THOMAS THE TANK
• Redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season, ranking 21st in the NCAA in rushing yards (642).
• He ranks 26th in rush yards per carry (6.00), 30th in rushing touchdowns (7) and 33rd in rush yards per game (91.7).
• In 2020, Thomas appeared in four games for the Tigers, rushing twice for eight yards.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The game is scheduled for an 6 p.m. CT kick and will be televised nationally on ESPN2. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• This past Saturday, the Tigers snapped a three-game losing skid with a 35-17 win over Navy at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis. The Tigers earned the win thanks to explosive plays on offense and limiting them on the defense. The Midshipmen were held to just 241 total yards of offense, while the Memphis defense racked up a season-high four sacks.
• Last season, Memphis posted a record of 8-3 in head coach Ryan Silverfield's first season at the helm of the program. The year ended with a 25-10 win over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl.
SCOUTING UCF
• UCF fell on the road to No. 3/4-ranked Cincinnati, 56-21, this past Saturday at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats scored the game's first 35 points to take early control before halftime against the Knights, who allowed 336 yards rushing and six rushing scores in the setback.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Knights were tabbed to finish second in the AAC behind favorite Cincinnati in a poll conducted of the league's media. UCF earned two first-place votes in the poll.
• Last season, the Knights finished with an overall record of 6-4 and a mark of 5-3 in the AAC. UCF earned a bid to the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, where they fell to No. 13/15 BYU, 49-23.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game at UCF will mark the 16th between the Knights and the Tigers dating back to the 1990 season.
• Memphis snapped UCF's 13-game winning streak in the series last season with a thrilling, 50-49 win at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Oct. 17.
• The Tigers pulled off the largest comeback in program history in the victory, rallying from a 21-point deficit. Memphis trailed 35-14 in the third quarter before outscoring UCF 36-14 the rest of the way.
NON-SATURDAY SUCCESS
• Since the start of 2014, Memphis is 20-1 in non-Saturday, regular-season games, including a 10-1 mark on the road.
• Memphis is 14-1 in Friday night contests since 2014.
• The Tigers are 6-0 in Thursday night games and 10-0 at the Liberty Bowl in non-Saturday, regular season games.
AMAZING AUSTIN III
• Redshirt senior Calvin Austin III has established himself as one of the best wide receivers and weapons in the NCAA.
• Austin III ranks second in the NCAA in receiving yards (857) and ranks fifth in receiving yards per game (122.4) and all-purpose yards (151.7).
• The redshirt senior also ranks fourth in the country in receiving touchdowns (8), 12th in receptions per game (7.1) and eighth in total touchdowns (10).
• He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 20 yards (16), 50 yards (5) and 60 yards (3).
• Austin III has posted two of the top-five receiving games in program history this year. His 239 yards at Arkansas State rank second, while his 200 at Tulsa rank fifth.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 69 victories since 2014, giving the Tigers the 10th-most wins in the nation during that stretch.
• The 69 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 11th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 69-29 (.709) mark.
• Memphis is one of only five FBS programs with at least eight wins each of the last seven seasons (Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Oklahoma).
TIGERS TAKE DOWN NAVY
• Memphis used big play on offense and a great defensive effort to beat Navy, 35-17, on Oct. 14.
• The Tigers had five plays of over 30 yards in the victory, including a 74-yard receiving score from Eddie Lewis and a 69-yard rushing touchdown from Calvin Austin III.
• Defensively, Memphis racked up a season-high four sacks and limited Navy to just 43 yards passing and 241 total yards.
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks second in the NCAA in total tackles (11.0) and is sixth in the nation in solo tackles (6.9).
• On the season, he leads the team with 77 total tackles, including 48 solo.
TRUE FRESHMAN HENIGAN CONTINUES TO SHINE
• Through seven weeks, true freshman Seth Henigan has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
• Henigan ranks fifth in the NCAA in passing yards per completion (15.60), sixth in passing yards (2,153), 10th in passing yards per game (307.6) and 10th in passing touchdowns (16).
• Henigan is the highest-ranked true freshman in each of those categories.
• With his 2,153 passing yards on the season, Henigan broke Paxton Lynch's program record of 2,056 passing yards as a freshman, set during Lynch's redshirt year in 2013.
• Henigan's 463 passing yards at Tulsa were the fourth-most passing yards in Memphis history.
• After his 22-of-33 for 417 yards and five touchdown performance at Arkansas State on Sept. 11, Henigan was named to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 and to the midseason Davey O'Brien Award Watch List.
• Against Nicholls on Sept. 4, Henigan became the first true freshman QB to start a season opener in Memphis football history.
YOUTH IS SERVED
• Memphis has played a total of 24 redshirt or true freshmen this season. Of that total, 12 are true freshmen.
• Of the true freshmen who have played, quarterback Seth Henigan has started every game, while defensive back Greg Rubin has started six of seven.
• Six of the true freshmen have seen action in at least four games - Zy Brockington, Bryce Edmondson, Noah Grant, Henigan, Rubin and Cameron Smith.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
• True freshman defensive back Greg Rubin ranks fifth in the nation in passes defended (1.6).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks seventh in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (6.0) and 28th in the country in total tackles (8.9).
MEMPHIS OFFENSE AMONGST BEST IN NATION
• Through seven weeks of the season, the Memphis offense is amongst the best in the nation.
• The Tigers rank 10th in the NCAA in total offense (487.0), 17th in passing offense (307.6) and 23rd in scoring offense (35.9).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 27 receptions for 441 yards and five touchdowns.
• His 441 receiving yards rank him fourth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his four scores are also fourth-best and his 26 receptions are seventh-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,610 receiving yards.
• Prior to this season, he was named to the Mackey Award Watch List and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List.
• In 2020, Dykes earned Honorable-Mention All-American Athletic Conference honors after reeling in 47 receptions for 581 yards and seven touchdowns.
• He averaged 12.4 yards per catch and totaled two games with over 100 yards receiving, including a standout performance in the victory over USF, going for 147 yards and two scores on seven catches.
STUD PUNTER
• Redshirt punter Joe Doyle has been terrific for the Tigers this season, establishing himself as one of the best in the nation.
• Doyle and Memphis rank ninth in the NCAA in both punt return defense (1.40) and net punting (43.91).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 23 times for an average of 46.0 yards, including nine of 50 yards or more and 10 inside the 20-yard line.
• For his efforts, Doyle was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List.
THOMAS THE TANK
• Redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season, ranking 21st in the NCAA in rushing yards (642).
• He ranks 26th in rush yards per carry (6.00), 30th in rushing touchdowns (7) and 33rd in rush yards per game (91.7).
• In 2020, Thomas appeared in four games for the Tigers, rushing twice for eight yards.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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