NOTES: Memphis Hosts Houston on Friday Night
Oct 06, 2022 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis will complete a four-game homestand on Friday, Oct. 7 against American Athletic Conference (AAC) rival Houston at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Single-game tickets for the 2022 Memphis Football season are now available at GoTigersGo.com. Tickets in the family zone for all home games start at $20 and in the endzone for $25. The Pick 3 Mini Plan is also available for the 2022 Tiger season. The Pick 3 Mini Plan gives fans the flexibility to pick from any three Memphis home games during the 2022 season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, starting at just $45.
Additionally, season tickets for the 2022 University of Memphis football season are now on sale. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets can go to GoTigersGo.com or call the ticket office at 901-678-2331. To request ticket information for the 2022 season, click here. The Memphis Ticket Office can also be reached during business hours at (901) 678-2331.
SETTING THE SCENE
• The Tigers smothered the Temple Owls, 24-3, last Saturday to move to 2-0 in AAC play. Memphis out-scored Temple, 24-0, in the second half and racked up three interceptions in the game's final 5:36 minutes.
• The Tigers have forced at least one turnover in 10-straight games, piling up 24 takeaways over that span.
• Memphis posted a record of 6-6 last season, earning the program's eighth-straight bowl appearance.
• The Tigers were named the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl Champions after Hawai'i was unable to participate.
• The eight-consecutive bowls streak is tied for the eighth-best in the nation and is the best among all non-Power 5 programs.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
• Houston comes to Memphis on Friday with an overall record of 2-3 on the season and a 0-1 mark in AAC play. Last Friday, the Cougars fell in overtime to Tulane, 27-24. The overtime contest was the third already this year for Houston.
• Prior to the season, the Cougars were picked to win the AAC in a preseason poll of the media, edging Cincinnati. Houston was also ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll and No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches poll in the preseason.
• Last year, the Cougars posted a record of 12-2 on the season, falling to Cincinnati in the AAC Championship Game. Houston went on to defeat Auburn in the Ticketsmarter Birmingham Bowl.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• The meeting between Memphis and Houston on Friday will mark the 31st all-time game between the two programs dating back to 1963.
• The Cougars hold a record of 16-14 against the Tigers in the all-time series and the teams have split the 16 contests played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, 8-8.
• The Cougars snapped Memphis' five-game winning streak in the series last year with a 31-13 victory at home.
• Last year, wide receiver Calvin Austin III notched his sixth 100-yard receiving game at No. 17-ranked Houston, racking up a game-high 103 yards on five receptions.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 75 victories since 2014, ranking 11th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 75 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 13th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 75-33 (.694) mark.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 39-5 (.886) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 14-2 (.875) at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
NON-SATURDAY SUCCESS
• Since the start of 2014, Memphis is 22-5 (.815) in non-Saturday games.
• Memphis is 14-3 (.824) in games on Friday since 2014.
• The Tigers are 6-0 in Thursday night games and 10-0 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in non-Saturday games.
• Memphis will also host Tulsa on Thursday, Nov. 10 this season.
LOOKING FOR 3-0 AAC START
• The Tigers are looking to open American Athletic Conference (AAC) play 3-0 for the first time since the 2015 season.
• In 2015, Memphis opened the conference slate with four-straight wins, taking down Cincinnatti, South Florida, Tulsa and Tulane.
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 10-straight games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 16 interceptions and eight fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in eight of the last nine contests.
• The last team to not have a turnover against Memphis was Navy on Oct. 14, 2021.
HOT START
• The Tigers are 4-1 to start the season for the first time since beginning 2019 with a perfect, 5-0 mark.
• In 2019, Memphis finished the year 12-2, winning the AAC Championship and earned a berth to the Cotton Bowl Classic.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Friday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-10 nationally in 10 statistical categories.
• Memphis ranks second in the nation in turnover margin (1.80), fifth in net punting (44.62), sixth in defensive touchdowns (2), seventh in passes had intercepted (1), eighth in passes intercepted (8), ninth in turnovers gained (12), ninth in turnovers lost (3) and 10th in red zone offense (.955).
• The Tigers, along with most of the country, are tied for first in blocked kicks allowed (0) and blocked punts allowed (0).
• Memphis leads the AAC in fumbles lost (2), passes had intercepted, passes intercepted, red zone offense, turnover margin, turnovers gained and turnovers lost.
TIGER DEFENSE SMOTHERS TEMPLE, 24-3
• Memphis used another stellar defensive performance to defeat Temple, 24-3, on Oct. 1 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
• The game marked the first time the Tigers held an opponent to three or fewer points since a 77-3 win over Bowling Green on Sept. 24, 2016.
• Linebacker Xavier "Zay" Cullens led the charge defensively, posting a game-high nine tackles to go with 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a pass breakup.
• Both Tyler Murray and Cincir Evans also had picks for Memphis, who extended the team's streak to 10-straight games with at least one turnover.
DOYLE SHOWING OFF
• Memphis punter Joe Doyle was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 3 for his effort in the team's 24-3 win over Temple.
• Doyle punted six times for an average of 53.5 yards with two punts inside the 20-yard line.
• On Sept. 27, Doyle was named the Ray Guy Punter of the Week for his work in the team's win over North Texas.
MEMPHIS TO RETIRE DANTON BARTO'S NO. 59 JERSEY
• One of the best players in the history of University of Memphis Football, Danton Barto's jersey (No. 59) will be retired in a ceremony at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at a future game determined with the family.
• A 2007 M-Club. Hall of Fame inductee, Barto remains the school record holder for career solo tackles (273) and career total tackles (473) and ranks second all-time with 200 assisted career tackles. Barto passed away in August of 2021 at the age of 50.
• Barto will join a prestigious group of former Tigers to have their jersey retired: John Bramlett (No. 64), Isaac Bruce (83), Dave Casinelli (30), Charles Greenhill (8), Harry Schuh (79) and DeAngelo Williams (20).
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.
Single-game tickets for the 2022 Memphis Football season are now available at GoTigersGo.com. Tickets in the family zone for all home games start at $20 and in the endzone for $25. The Pick 3 Mini Plan is also available for the 2022 Tiger season. The Pick 3 Mini Plan gives fans the flexibility to pick from any three Memphis home games during the 2022 season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, starting at just $45.
Additionally, season tickets for the 2022 University of Memphis football season are now on sale. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets can go to GoTigersGo.com or call the ticket office at 901-678-2331. To request ticket information for the 2022 season, click here. The Memphis Ticket Office can also be reached during business hours at (901) 678-2331.
SETTING THE SCENE
• The Tigers smothered the Temple Owls, 24-3, last Saturday to move to 2-0 in AAC play. Memphis out-scored Temple, 24-0, in the second half and racked up three interceptions in the game's final 5:36 minutes.
• The Tigers have forced at least one turnover in 10-straight games, piling up 24 takeaways over that span.
• Memphis posted a record of 6-6 last season, earning the program's eighth-straight bowl appearance.
• The Tigers were named the EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl Champions after Hawai'i was unable to participate.
• The eight-consecutive bowls streak is tied for the eighth-best in the nation and is the best among all non-Power 5 programs.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
• Houston comes to Memphis on Friday with an overall record of 2-3 on the season and a 0-1 mark in AAC play. Last Friday, the Cougars fell in overtime to Tulane, 27-24. The overtime contest was the third already this year for Houston.
• Prior to the season, the Cougars were picked to win the AAC in a preseason poll of the media, edging Cincinnati. Houston was also ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press poll and No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches poll in the preseason.
• Last year, the Cougars posted a record of 12-2 on the season, falling to Cincinnati in the AAC Championship Game. Houston went on to defeat Auburn in the Ticketsmarter Birmingham Bowl.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• The meeting between Memphis and Houston on Friday will mark the 31st all-time game between the two programs dating back to 1963.
• The Cougars hold a record of 16-14 against the Tigers in the all-time series and the teams have split the 16 contests played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, 8-8.
• The Cougars snapped Memphis' five-game winning streak in the series last year with a 31-13 victory at home.
• Last year, wide receiver Calvin Austin III notched his sixth 100-yard receiving game at No. 17-ranked Houston, racking up a game-high 103 yards on five receptions.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 75 victories since 2014, ranking 11th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 75 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that stretch.
• The Tigers also rank 13th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 75-33 (.694) mark.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 39-5 (.886) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the coaching staff in 2016.
• As a head coach, Silverfield is 14-2 (.875) at the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
NON-SATURDAY SUCCESS
• Since the start of 2014, Memphis is 22-5 (.815) in non-Saturday games.
• Memphis is 14-3 (.824) in games on Friday since 2014.
• The Tigers are 6-0 in Thursday night games and 10-0 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in non-Saturday games.
• Memphis will also host Tulsa on Thursday, Nov. 10 this season.
LOOKING FOR 3-0 AAC START
• The Tigers are looking to open American Athletic Conference (AAC) play 3-0 for the first time since the 2015 season.
• In 2015, Memphis opened the conference slate with four-straight wins, taking down Cincinnatti, South Florida, Tulsa and Tulane.
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 10-straight games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 16 interceptions and eight fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in eight of the last nine contests.
• The last team to not have a turnover against Memphis was Navy on Oct. 14, 2021.
HOT START
• The Tigers are 4-1 to start the season for the first time since beginning 2019 with a perfect, 5-0 mark.
• In 2019, Memphis finished the year 12-2, winning the AAC Championship and earned a berth to the Cotton Bowl Classic.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Friday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-10 nationally in 10 statistical categories.
• Memphis ranks second in the nation in turnover margin (1.80), fifth in net punting (44.62), sixth in defensive touchdowns (2), seventh in passes had intercepted (1), eighth in passes intercepted (8), ninth in turnovers gained (12), ninth in turnovers lost (3) and 10th in red zone offense (.955).
• The Tigers, along with most of the country, are tied for first in blocked kicks allowed (0) and blocked punts allowed (0).
• Memphis leads the AAC in fumbles lost (2), passes had intercepted, passes intercepted, red zone offense, turnover margin, turnovers gained and turnovers lost.
TIGER DEFENSE SMOTHERS TEMPLE, 24-3
• Memphis used another stellar defensive performance to defeat Temple, 24-3, on Oct. 1 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
• The game marked the first time the Tigers held an opponent to three or fewer points since a 77-3 win over Bowling Green on Sept. 24, 2016.
• Linebacker Xavier "Zay" Cullens led the charge defensively, posting a game-high nine tackles to go with 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a pass breakup.
• Both Tyler Murray and Cincir Evans also had picks for Memphis, who extended the team's streak to 10-straight games with at least one turnover.
DOYLE SHOWING OFF
• Memphis punter Joe Doyle was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 3 for his effort in the team's 24-3 win over Temple.
• Doyle punted six times for an average of 53.5 yards with two punts inside the 20-yard line.
• On Sept. 27, Doyle was named the Ray Guy Punter of the Week for his work in the team's win over North Texas.
MEMPHIS TO RETIRE DANTON BARTO'S NO. 59 JERSEY
• One of the best players in the history of University of Memphis Football, Danton Barto's jersey (No. 59) will be retired in a ceremony at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at a future game determined with the family.
• A 2007 M-Club. Hall of Fame inductee, Barto remains the school record holder for career solo tackles (273) and career total tackles (473) and ranks second all-time with 200 assisted career tackles. Barto passed away in August of 2021 at the age of 50.
• Barto will join a prestigious group of former Tigers to have their jersey retired: John Bramlett (No. 64), Isaac Bruce (83), Dave Casinelli (30), Charles Greenhill (8), Harry Schuh (79) and DeAngelo Williams (20).
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.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFootballL Memphis vs. Chattanooga Recap-September 3, 2025
Wednesday, September 03
Football: Jordon Hankins Press Conference-September 3, 2025
Wednesday, September 03
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-September 3, 2025
Wednesday, September 03
Football: Brendon Lewis Press Conference-August 30, 2025
Saturday, August 30