University of Memphis Athletics
NOTES: Memphis Hosts No. 23/24 SMU
Nov 04, 2021 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Tigers will return home to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to host the No.23/24-ranked SMU Mustangs on Saturday, Nov. 6.
The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. CT kick and will be televised nationally on ESPNU. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• On Oct. 22, the Tigers fell on the road at UCF, 24-7. Missing starting quarterback Seth Henigan, Memphis was led by QB Peter Parrish, who in his first career started totaled a team-best 45 rushing yards and passed for 215. Defensive back Tyrez Lindsey recorded his first career interception, while Quindell Johnson had a game-high 11 tackles.
• 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 SMU
• SMU fell for the first time this year on the road at Houston, 44-37, this past Saturday. The Mustangs lost on a late kickoff return for a touchdown to suffer their first loss of the season.
• This week, SMU is ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press (AP) poll and No. 24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Mustangs were tabbed to finish third in the AAC behind favorite Cincinnati and UCF.
• Last season, SMU finished with an overall record of 7-3 and a mark of 4-3 in the AAC. The Mustangs earned a bid to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl against UTSA, but that bowl game was canceled.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game against SMU will mark the 14th meeting between the two programs dating back to the 1976 season.
• Memphis leads the overall series, 9-4, which includes a mark of 5-2 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
• The Tigers had their six-game winning-streak in the series snapped last season, when the Mustangs defeated Memphis, 30-27, in Dallas.
• After falling behind, 24-3 in the second quarter, the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 27-27 late in the fourth quarter. SMU was able to hit a 43-yard field goal, however, with nine seconds left to take the win.
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 sixth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (112.6), seventh in receiving yards (901), seventh in receiving touchdowns (8) and 13th in receptions per game (7.1).
• He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 50 yards (5), fourth in 60 yards or more (3) and seventh in both plays over 20 yards (16) and 40 yards (6).
• 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 34-4 (.895) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 9-1 (.900) at the Liberty Bowl.
• That impressive stretch includes a 48-45 win against No. 25 UCLA on Sept. 16, 2017.
• Six of those victories were against Power 6 programs (Cincinnati in the AAC title game, Mississippi State, Kansas, Ole Miss twice and UCLA).
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 12th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 69-30 (.697) 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).
TOP-10 SEASON
• Wide receiver Calvin Austin III is having a historic season for the Tigers.
• With his 901 receiving yards, Austin III ranks eighth all-time on the Memphis single-season list.
• He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8) and 12th on the receptions list (57).
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks third in the NCAA in solo tackles (6.6) and fifth in total tackles (10.8).
• On the season, he leads the team with 86 total tackles, including 53 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 fifth in the NCAA in passing yards per completion (15.60), eighth in yards per pass attempt (9.48), 11th in passing yards per game (307.6), 13th in total offense (314.3), 18th in passing efficiency (160.2), 19th in passing yards (2,153) and 22nd 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 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 seven of eight games.
• 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 seventh in the nation in passes defended (1.4).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks ninth in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (5.9) and 24th in the country in total tackles (9.1).
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 20th in the NCAA in total offense (462.6), 18th in passing offense (296.0) and 39th in scoring offense (32.2).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 28 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns.
• His 452 receiving yards rank him sixth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his four scores are also sixth-best and his 26 receptions are eighth-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,621 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 13th in the NCAA in net punting (42.93) and 14th in punt return defense (2.67).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 28 times for an average of 45.6 yards, including 11 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.
THOMAS THE TANK
• Redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season, ranking 42nd in the NCAA in rushing yards (661) - third-best in the AAC.
• He ranks 31st in rush yards per carry (5.90), 36th in rushing touchdowns (8) and 46thin rush yards per game (82.6).
• 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 11 a.m. CT kick and will be televised nationally on ESPNU. The contest can also be heard on the radio on 98.9 THE ROAR OF MEMPHIS.
SETTING THE SCENE
• On Oct. 22, the Tigers fell on the road at UCF, 24-7. Missing starting quarterback Seth Henigan, Memphis was led by QB Peter Parrish, who in his first career started totaled a team-best 45 rushing yards and passed for 215. Defensive back Tyrez Lindsey recorded his first career interception, while Quindell Johnson had a game-high 11 tackles.
• 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 SMU
• SMU fell for the first time this year on the road at Houston, 44-37, this past Saturday. The Mustangs lost on a late kickoff return for a touchdown to suffer their first loss of the season.
• This week, SMU is ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press (AP) poll and No. 24 in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
• Prior to the start of the season, the Mustangs were tabbed to finish third in the AAC behind favorite Cincinnati and UCF.
• Last season, SMU finished with an overall record of 7-3 and a mark of 4-3 in the AAC. The Mustangs earned a bid to the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl against UTSA, but that bowl game was canceled.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game against SMU will mark the 14th meeting between the two programs dating back to the 1976 season.
• Memphis leads the overall series, 9-4, which includes a mark of 5-2 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
• The Tigers had their six-game winning-streak in the series snapped last season, when the Mustangs defeated Memphis, 30-27, in Dallas.
• After falling behind, 24-3 in the second quarter, the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 27-27 late in the fourth quarter. SMU was able to hit a 43-yard field goal, however, with nine seconds left to take the win.
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 sixth in the NCAA in receiving yards per game (112.6), seventh in receiving yards (901), seventh in receiving touchdowns (8) and 13th in receptions per game (7.1).
• He is also second in the NCAA in scrimmage plays over 50 yards (5), fourth in 60 yards or more (3) and seventh in both plays over 20 yards (16) and 40 yards (6).
• 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 34-4 (.895) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 9-1 (.900) at the Liberty Bowl.
• That impressive stretch includes a 48-45 win against No. 25 UCLA on Sept. 16, 2017.
• Six of those victories were against Power 6 programs (Cincinnati in the AAC title game, Mississippi State, Kansas, Ole Miss twice and UCLA).
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 12th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 69-30 (.697) 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).
TOP-10 SEASON
• Wide receiver Calvin Austin III is having a historic season for the Tigers.
• With his 901 receiving yards, Austin III ranks eighth all-time on the Memphis single-season list.
• He also ranks tied for 11th on the program's single-season touchdown list (8) and 12th on the receptions list (57).
RUSSELL TACKLES IT ALL
• Linebacker JJ Russell ranks third in the NCAA in solo tackles (6.6) and fifth in total tackles (10.8).
• On the season, he leads the team with 86 total tackles, including 53 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 fifth in the NCAA in passing yards per completion (15.60), eighth in yards per pass attempt (9.48), 11th in passing yards per game (307.6), 13th in total offense (314.3), 18th in passing efficiency (160.2), 19th in passing yards (2,153) and 22nd 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 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 seven of eight games.
• 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 seventh in the nation in passes defended (1.4).
• Defensive back Quindell Johnson ranks ninth in the NCAA this season in solo tackles (5.9) and 24th in the country in total tackles (9.1).
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 20th in the NCAA in total offense (462.6), 18th in passing offense (296.0) and 39th in scoring offense (32.2).
DYNAMIC DYKES
• Fifth-year Sean Dykes is making his case as one of the best tight ends in the country this season, posting 28 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns.
• His 452 receiving yards rank him sixth amongst tight ends in the NCAA, while his four scores are also sixth-best and his 26 receptions are eighth-most.
• Dykes is the most prolific tight end in program history with his 1,621 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 13th in the NCAA in net punting (42.93) and 14th in punt return defense (2.67).
• On the year, Doyle has punted 28 times for an average of 45.6 yards, including 11 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.
THOMAS THE TANK
• Redshirt freshman Brandon Thomas has been a force to be reckoned with so far this season, ranking 42nd in the NCAA in rushing yards (661) - third-best in the AAC.
• He ranks 31st in rush yards per carry (5.90), 36th in rushing touchdowns (8) and 46thin rush yards per game (82.6).
• 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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