University of Memphis Athletics
NOTES: Memphis Hosts Tulane on Friday Night
Oct 12, 2023 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis football team will host Tulane on Friday, Oct. 13 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The game is sponsored by Conway Services and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN starting at 6 p.m.
SETTING THE SCENE
• On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Tigers rallied back from an early, 17-0 deficit to beat Boise State, 35-32.
• The Tigers (54) rank in a tie for fourth in the FBS in home wins since 2014, trailing only Clemson (62), Alabama (61) and Ohio State (58).
• Memphis has posted 82 victories since 2014, tying for 15th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 82 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers have forced at least one turnover in 19 of their last 23 games, piling up 42 takeaways over that span.
• Memphis is one of nine teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
SCOUTING TULANE
• Tulane moved to 4-1 on the season and to 1-0 in conference play with a 35-23 home victory over UAB on Saturday, Sept. 30.
• The Green Wave have won three games in a row since starting the season 1-1. Tulane's lone loss on the year came at home to then-ranked No. 20 OIe Miss.
• In 2022, Tulane had a memorable season, winning the AAC Championship and finishing the season with a 12-2 mark after defeating No. 10/8/8 USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, 46-45.
• Prior to this season, the Green Wave was picked to finish atop the AAC once again, earning 20 of the 34 first-place votes of the media.
• Tulane ranks ninth in the FBS in rushing defense (84.2), 12th in team sacks (3.4), 16th in turnovers gained (11) and 19th in passes intercepted (7).
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Friday's game between Memphis and Tulane will mark the 40th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1954.
• The Tigers lead the overall series, 24-14-1, including a mark of 15-2 in Memphis.
• The two teams have alternated wins over the last six meetings dating back to the 2017 season, with each squad winning at home.
• Last season, the Tigers fell behind the Green Wave, 35-0, at halftime, but battled back in the second half, out-scoring Tulane, 28-3. The Green Wave withstood the charge, winning 38-28.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• The Tigers (54) rank in a tie for fourth in the FBS in home wins since 2014, trailing only Clemson (62), Alabama (61) and Ohio State (58).
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 44-7 (.863) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the staff in 2016.
• As head coach, Silverfield is 19-4 (.826) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 82 victories since 2014, tying for 15th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 82 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers are also tied for 17th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 82-39 (.678) mark.
• Memphis' streak of nine-straight seasons with a record of .500 or better is tied for the fourth-longest streak among Group of 5 and independent schools and is the longest such streak in the AAC.
TIGERS RALLY FROM 17-0 DEFICIT TO UPEND BOISE STATE
• On Saturday, Sept. 30, Memphis rallied from an early, 17-0 deficit to defeat Boise State, 35-32, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
• Running back Blake Watson led the way for the Tigers, rushing the ball 19 times for 113 yards and two scores, while wide receiver Roc Taylor posted his second-straight 100-yard receiving game, reeling in five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.
• In one of the biggest plays of the game, linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku broke through the middle of the line, blocking a 24-yard field goal attempt.
• He then scooped up the loose ball and darted down the field for an 80-yard score to give the Tigers a lead they wouldn't surrender against the Broncos.
DO-IT-ALL WATSON
• Running back Blake Watson has done it all for Memphis this season, ranking 13th in the nation and leading the AAC in all-purpose yards at 138.6 per game.
• The Old Dominion transfer ranks 24th in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (6), 27th in rushing yards per game (91.0) and 49th in receptions per game (5.2).
• Watson ranks second on the team in receptions (26) and third on the squad in receiving yards (233).
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 19 of the last 23 games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 26 interceptions and 16 fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in 13 of those 23 contests.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Friday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-25 nationally in 15 statistical categories.
• As a team, the Tigers are ranked ninth in fewest penalties (21), 13th in fewest penalties per game (4.2), 16th in fewest penalty yards (200) and 22nd in fewest penalty yards per game (40.0) and 24th in blocked kicks (1).
• Defensively, Memphis is ranked fourth in the country in third down conversion percentage defense (.238), sixth in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.250), eighth in fumbles recovered (6), 17th in first downs defense (87) and 25th in defensive touchdowns (1).
• Offensively, the team is ranked eighth in fourth down conversion percentage (.816), 18th in scoring offense (36.6) and 23rd in completion percentage (.684).
• Memphis is tied for the NCAA lead in both blocked kicks allowed (0) and blocked punts allowed (0).
HENIGAN AT IT AGAIN
• For the third-consecutive season, quarterback Seth Henigan ranks nationally amongst the best QBs in the country.
• Henigan is ranked 15th in the NCAA in completions per game (24.0), 23rd in passing yards per game (275.2), 23rd in completion percentage (.686) and 34th in passing yards (1,376).
• Entering Friday's game, Henigan ranks fourth in program history in career completions (614), fourth in attempts (977), fifth in passing yards (7,862) and fifth in passing touchdowns (55).
• His 12 300-yard passing games are tied for second in program history, behind only Riley Ferguson (13).
• The junior is the youngest third year starting quarterback (20 years old) in the FBS this season.
NCAA STATISTICS STANDOUTS
• Defensive back DeAgo Brumfield ranks ninth in the NCAA in passes defended at 1.4 per game.
• Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku ranks 10th in the FBS in forced fumbles at 0.40 per game.
• Wide receiver Koby Drake ranks 16th in the country in punt returns at 11.8.
MARTIN MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
• Linebacker Chandler Martin has made an immediate impact for the Tigers after transferrring from East Tennessee State.
• Martin leads Memphis with 35 tackles and five tackles for loss on the season and ranks second on the team with one sack and one forced fumble.
BOWL STREAK
• Memphis is one of nine teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
• In 2022, the Tigers defeated Utah State, 38-10, in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, improving the program's record to 7-8 in bowl games.
• The 2021 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl was canceled due to COVID issues in the Hawai'i program last year and Memphis was named champions.
• Ryan Silverfield has led the program to bowl games in all three seasons as head coach and has been on staff for the past seven years, with Memphis earning bowl berths each season.
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.
SETTING THE SCENE
• On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Tigers rallied back from an early, 17-0 deficit to beat Boise State, 35-32.
• The Tigers (54) rank in a tie for fourth in the FBS in home wins since 2014, trailing only Clemson (62), Alabama (61) and Ohio State (58).
• Memphis has posted 82 victories since 2014, tying for 15th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 82 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers have forced at least one turnover in 19 of their last 23 games, piling up 42 takeaways over that span.
• Memphis is one of nine teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
SCOUTING TULANE
• Tulane moved to 4-1 on the season and to 1-0 in conference play with a 35-23 home victory over UAB on Saturday, Sept. 30.
• The Green Wave have won three games in a row since starting the season 1-1. Tulane's lone loss on the year came at home to then-ranked No. 20 OIe Miss.
• In 2022, Tulane had a memorable season, winning the AAC Championship and finishing the season with a 12-2 mark after defeating No. 10/8/8 USC in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, 46-45.
• Prior to this season, the Green Wave was picked to finish atop the AAC once again, earning 20 of the 34 first-place votes of the media.
• Tulane ranks ninth in the FBS in rushing defense (84.2), 12th in team sacks (3.4), 16th in turnovers gained (11) and 19th in passes intercepted (7).
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Friday's game between Memphis and Tulane will mark the 40th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1954.
• The Tigers lead the overall series, 24-14-1, including a mark of 15-2 in Memphis.
• The two teams have alternated wins over the last six meetings dating back to the 2017 season, with each squad winning at home.
• Last season, the Tigers fell behind the Green Wave, 35-0, at halftime, but battled back in the second half, out-scoring Tulane, 28-3. The Green Wave withstood the charge, winning 38-28.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• The Tigers (54) rank in a tie for fourth in the FBS in home wins since 2014, trailing only Clemson (62), Alabama (61) and Ohio State (58).
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 44-7 (.863) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the staff in 2016.
• As head coach, Silverfield is 19-4 (.826) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 82 victories since 2014, tying for 15th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 82 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers are also tied for 17th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 82-39 (.678) mark.
• Memphis' streak of nine-straight seasons with a record of .500 or better is tied for the fourth-longest streak among Group of 5 and independent schools and is the longest such streak in the AAC.
TIGERS RALLY FROM 17-0 DEFICIT TO UPEND BOISE STATE
• On Saturday, Sept. 30, Memphis rallied from an early, 17-0 deficit to defeat Boise State, 35-32, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
• Running back Blake Watson led the way for the Tigers, rushing the ball 19 times for 113 yards and two scores, while wide receiver Roc Taylor posted his second-straight 100-yard receiving game, reeling in five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.
• In one of the biggest plays of the game, linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku broke through the middle of the line, blocking a 24-yard field goal attempt.
• He then scooped up the loose ball and darted down the field for an 80-yard score to give the Tigers a lead they wouldn't surrender against the Broncos.
DO-IT-ALL WATSON
• Running back Blake Watson has done it all for Memphis this season, ranking 13th in the nation and leading the AAC in all-purpose yards at 138.6 per game.
• The Old Dominion transfer ranks 24th in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (6), 27th in rushing yards per game (91.0) and 49th in receptions per game (5.2).
• Watson ranks second on the team in receptions (26) and third on the squad in receiving yards (233).
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 19 of the last 23 games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 26 interceptions and 16 fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in 13 of those 23 contests.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Friday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-25 nationally in 15 statistical categories.
• As a team, the Tigers are ranked ninth in fewest penalties (21), 13th in fewest penalties per game (4.2), 16th in fewest penalty yards (200) and 22nd in fewest penalty yards per game (40.0) and 24th in blocked kicks (1).
• Defensively, Memphis is ranked fourth in the country in third down conversion percentage defense (.238), sixth in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.250), eighth in fumbles recovered (6), 17th in first downs defense (87) and 25th in defensive touchdowns (1).
• Offensively, the team is ranked eighth in fourth down conversion percentage (.816), 18th in scoring offense (36.6) and 23rd in completion percentage (.684).
• Memphis is tied for the NCAA lead in both blocked kicks allowed (0) and blocked punts allowed (0).
HENIGAN AT IT AGAIN
• For the third-consecutive season, quarterback Seth Henigan ranks nationally amongst the best QBs in the country.
• Henigan is ranked 15th in the NCAA in completions per game (24.0), 23rd in passing yards per game (275.2), 23rd in completion percentage (.686) and 34th in passing yards (1,376).
• Entering Friday's game, Henigan ranks fourth in program history in career completions (614), fourth in attempts (977), fifth in passing yards (7,862) and fifth in passing touchdowns (55).
• His 12 300-yard passing games are tied for second in program history, behind only Riley Ferguson (13).
• The junior is the youngest third year starting quarterback (20 years old) in the FBS this season.
NCAA STATISTICS STANDOUTS
• Defensive back DeAgo Brumfield ranks ninth in the NCAA in passes defended at 1.4 per game.
• Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku ranks 10th in the FBS in forced fumbles at 0.40 per game.
• Wide receiver Koby Drake ranks 16th in the country in punt returns at 11.8.
MARTIN MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
• Linebacker Chandler Martin has made an immediate impact for the Tigers after transferrring from East Tennessee State.
• Martin leads Memphis with 35 tackles and five tackles for loss on the season and ranks second on the team with one sack and one forced fumble.
BOWL STREAK
• Memphis is one of nine teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
• In 2022, the Tigers defeated Utah State, 38-10, in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, improving the program's record to 7-8 in bowl games.
• The 2021 EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl was canceled due to COVID issues in the Hawai'i program last year and Memphis was named champions.
• Ryan Silverfield has led the program to bowl games in all three seasons as head coach and has been on staff for the past seven years, with Memphis earning bowl berths each season.
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
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