University of Memphis Athletics
NOTES: Tigers Host East Carolina on Saturday
Nov 11, 2021 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Tigers will host AAC-rival East Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. CT kick and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• This past Saturday, the Tigers took down No. 23/24-ranked SMU, 28-25, on Homecoming at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Memphis defense had one of their best outings of the year, posting a season-high five sacks and forcing three turnovers.
• Back from injury, true freshman quarterback Seth Henigan recorded his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season, completing 34-of-53 passes for 392 yards and two scores.
• 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 EAST CAROLINA
• ECU dismantled Temple this past Saturday, 45-3, to move to 5-4 on the season overall and to 3-2 in conference play. The Pirates held the Owls to just 57 passing yards on the day, out-gaining Temple in the victory, 444-168.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Pirates were tabbed to finish in a tie for eighth in the AAC with Navy.
• Last season, East Carolina finished with an overall record of 3-6 and a conference mark of 3-5 in a COVID-19 shortened season. The Pirates earned road wins at South Florida and Temple before ending the season with an impressive win over SMU.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game against East Carolina will mark the 24th meeting between the two programs dating back to the 1990 season.
• ECU leads the overall series, 15-8, which includes a mark of 7-5 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
• The Tigers have won two-straight in the series after snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Pirates in 2017.
• The teams last met in 2018, with the Tigers coming away with a 59-41 win in Greenville. Current Los Angeles Ram Darrell Henderson led Memphis with 132 rushing yards and two scores, while Brady White threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns.
NOVEMBER STREAK
• Entering Saturday's game, Memphis has won 17-straight games in November.
• The last loss for the Tigers in November came on Nov. 12, 2016, a 49-42 loss to USF at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
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 seventh in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (109.9), seventh in receiving yards (989), 11th in receiving touchdowns (8) and 12th in receptions per game (7.2).
• 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.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, posting a record of 35-4 (.897) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 10-1 (.909) at the Liberty Bowl.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 70 victories since 2014, giving the Tigers the 10th-most wins in the nation during that stretch.
• The 70 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 12th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 70-30 (.700) 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 TAME #23/24 SMU
• Memphis defeated No. 23/24-ranked SMU, 28-25, on Nov. 6 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to earn the team's first win over a ranked opponent since 2019.
• True freshman quarterback Seth Henigan returned from injury and went 34-for-53 for 392 yards and two touchdowns, while the Tiger defense forced three turnovers and had a season-best five sacks.
• Defensive back Rodney Owens had six tackles and a fourth-quarter interception to clinch the win.
ONE OF THE BEST RECEIVERS IN MEMPHIS HISTORY
• Wide receiver Calvin Austin III is having a historic season and career for the Tigers.
• With his 989 receiving yards, Austin III ranks seventh all-time on the Memphis single-season list and ninth on the receptions list (65).
• He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8).
• For his career, Austin III ranks in a tie for second in receiving touchdowns (22), fourth in receiving yards (2,381) and in a tie for fifth in receptions (147).
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks fifth in the NCAA in solo tackles (6.3) and sixth in total tackles (10.2).
• On the season, he leads the team with 92 total tackles, including 57 solo.
TRUE FRESHMAN HENIGAN CONTINUES TO SHINE
• True freshman Seth Henigan has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation this season.
• Henigan ranks ninth in the NCAA in passing yards per game (318.1), 10th in passing yards per completion (14.80), 11th in total offense (324.4), 13th in passing yards (2,545), 16th in yards per pass attempt (9.09), 18th in completions per game (21.50) and 20th in passing touchdowns (18).
• Henigan is the highest-ranked true freshman in each of the 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.
SEVEN-STRAIGHT BOWLS
• Memphis' win over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl marked the program's seventh-straight season with a bowl game appearance.
• The 25-10 victory over FAU under head coach Ryan Silverfield marked the first win in a bowl game since earning a 55-48 win over BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014.
• Entering 2021, Memphis has the longest active streak of bowl appearances in the AAC at seven.
YOUTH IS SERVED
• Memphis has played a total of 25 redshirt or true freshmen this season. Of that total, 12 are true freshmen.
• Of the true freshmen who have played, quarterback Seth Henigan and defensive back Greg Rubin have each started eight of nine games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
• True freshman defensive back Greg Rubin ranks seventh in the nation in passes defended (1.3).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks seventh in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (6.0) and 30th in the country in total tackles (8.9).
IMPRESSIVE OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
• The Tigers have been lighting up the scoreboard this year, establishing the unit as one of the best in the AAC.
• The Tigers rank 18th in the NCAA in total offense (462.7), 15th in passing offense (311.1) and 40th in scoring offense (31.8).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 31 receptions for 516 yards and six touchdowns.
• His 516 receiving yards rank him sixth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his six scores are tied for fourth and his 31 receptions are seventh-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,685 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 10th in the NCAA in punt return defense (2.43) and 34th in net punting (41.26).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 30 times for an average of 45.9 yards, including 12 of 50 yards or more and 11 inside the 20-yard line.
• For his efforts, Doyle was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List.
Tickets for Memphis Football are on sale and can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling (901) 678-2331.
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 11 a.m. CT kick and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• This past Saturday, the Tigers took down No. 23/24-ranked SMU, 28-25, on Homecoming at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Memphis defense had one of their best outings of the year, posting a season-high five sacks and forcing three turnovers.
• Back from injury, true freshman quarterback Seth Henigan recorded his fifth 300-yard passing game of the season, completing 34-of-53 passes for 392 yards and two scores.
• 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 EAST CAROLINA
• ECU dismantled Temple this past Saturday, 45-3, to move to 5-4 on the season overall and to 3-2 in conference play. The Pirates held the Owls to just 57 passing yards on the day, out-gaining Temple in the victory, 444-168.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Pirates were tabbed to finish in a tie for eighth in the AAC with Navy.
• Last season, East Carolina finished with an overall record of 3-6 and a conference mark of 3-5 in a COVID-19 shortened season. The Pirates earned road wins at South Florida and Temple before ending the season with an impressive win over SMU.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game against East Carolina will mark the 24th meeting between the two programs dating back to the 1990 season.
• ECU leads the overall series, 15-8, which includes a mark of 7-5 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
• The Tigers have won two-straight in the series after snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Pirates in 2017.
• The teams last met in 2018, with the Tigers coming away with a 59-41 win in Greenville. Current Los Angeles Ram Darrell Henderson led Memphis with 132 rushing yards and two scores, while Brady White threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns.
NOVEMBER STREAK
• Entering Saturday's game, Memphis has won 17-straight games in November.
• The last loss for the Tigers in November came on Nov. 12, 2016, a 49-42 loss to USF at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
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 seventh in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (109.9), seventh in receiving yards (989), 11th in receiving touchdowns (8) and 12th in receptions per game (7.2).
• 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.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, posting a record of 35-4 (.897) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 10-1 (.909) at the Liberty Bowl.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 70 victories since 2014, giving the Tigers the 10th-most wins in the nation during that stretch.
• The 70 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 12th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 70-30 (.700) 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 TAME #23/24 SMU
• Memphis defeated No. 23/24-ranked SMU, 28-25, on Nov. 6 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to earn the team's first win over a ranked opponent since 2019.
• True freshman quarterback Seth Henigan returned from injury and went 34-for-53 for 392 yards and two touchdowns, while the Tiger defense forced three turnovers and had a season-best five sacks.
• Defensive back Rodney Owens had six tackles and a fourth-quarter interception to clinch the win.
ONE OF THE BEST RECEIVERS IN MEMPHIS HISTORY
• Wide receiver Calvin Austin III is having a historic season and career for the Tigers.
• With his 989 receiving yards, Austin III ranks seventh all-time on the Memphis single-season list and ninth on the receptions list (65).
• He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8).
• For his career, Austin III ranks in a tie for second in receiving touchdowns (22), fourth in receiving yards (2,381) and in a tie for fifth in receptions (147).
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks fifth in the NCAA in solo tackles (6.3) and sixth in total tackles (10.2).
• On the season, he leads the team with 92 total tackles, including 57 solo.
TRUE FRESHMAN HENIGAN CONTINUES TO SHINE
• True freshman Seth Henigan has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation this season.
• Henigan ranks ninth in the NCAA in passing yards per game (318.1), 10th in passing yards per completion (14.80), 11th in total offense (324.4), 13th in passing yards (2,545), 16th in yards per pass attempt (9.09), 18th in completions per game (21.50) and 20th in passing touchdowns (18).
• Henigan is the highest-ranked true freshman in each of the 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.
SEVEN-STRAIGHT BOWLS
• Memphis' win over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl marked the program's seventh-straight season with a bowl game appearance.
• The 25-10 victory over FAU under head coach Ryan Silverfield marked the first win in a bowl game since earning a 55-48 win over BYU in the Miami Beach Bowl in 2014.
• Entering 2021, Memphis has the longest active streak of bowl appearances in the AAC at seven.
YOUTH IS SERVED
• Memphis has played a total of 25 redshirt or true freshmen this season. Of that total, 12 are true freshmen.
• Of the true freshmen who have played, quarterback Seth Henigan and defensive back Greg Rubin have each started eight of nine games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
• True freshman defensive back Greg Rubin ranks seventh in the nation in passes defended (1.3).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks seventh in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (6.0) and 30th in the country in total tackles (8.9).
IMPRESSIVE OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
• The Tigers have been lighting up the scoreboard this year, establishing the unit as one of the best in the AAC.
• The Tigers rank 18th in the NCAA in total offense (462.7), 15th in passing offense (311.1) and 40th in scoring offense (31.8).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 31 receptions for 516 yards and six touchdowns.
• His 516 receiving yards rank him sixth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his six scores are tied for fourth and his 31 receptions are seventh-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,685 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 10th in the NCAA in punt return defense (2.43) and 34th in net punting (41.26).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 30 times for an average of 45.9 yards, including 12 of 50 yards or more and 11 inside the 20-yard line.
• For his efforts, Doyle was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List.
Tickets for Memphis Football are on sale and can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling (901) 678-2331.
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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