University of Memphis Athletics
NOTES: Memphis Hosts SMU on Senior Day
Nov 16, 2023 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis Tigers will host SMU on Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.
Tickets for the game are available at GoTigersGo.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
SETTING THE SCENE
• Last Saturday, the Tigers earned the team's fourth road win of the season, beating Charlotte, 44-38, in overtime. Quarterback Seth Henigan passed for over 300 yards, while running back Blake Watson had three total touchdowns. On defense, Memphis totaled four interceptions in the win.
• Memphis has posted 86 victories since 2014, tied for the 13th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 86 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 24-consecutive games - the longest active streak in the nation.
• Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 23 of their last 28 games, piling up 53 takeaways over that span.
• With the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl-eligible for the 10th-straight season. Entering 2023, Memphis was one of 10 teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
SCOUTING SMU
• SMU comes to Memphis riding a six-game winning streak, pushing the team's record to 8-2 on the season and to 6-0 in AAC play. The Mustangs' only two losses this year have come on the road against No. 18 Oklahoma and TCU.
• SMU sits atop the league standings and have won its six conference games by an average of 30.3 points.
• In the NCAA rankings, SMU is seventh in the country in scoring offense (40.5), ninth in scoring defense (16.4), 10th in total offense (473.2) and 11th in total defense (290.8).
• In 2022, the Mustangs posted a record of 7-6 overall and a mark of 5-3 in AAC play. SMU earned a berth to the New Mexico Bowl, where the team fell to BYU, 24-23.
• Prior to this season, SMU was picked to finish third in the AAC in a poll conducted of the league's media, one spot ahead of the Tigers. The Mustangs garnered three first-place votes in the poll.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game between Memphis and SMU will mark the 16th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1976.
• The teams have alternated wins the last three games, with each squad winning at home. The Tigers had their six-game winning streak in the series snapped in 2020.
• Last season, the Mustangs won a thriller in Dallas, 34-31, holding on after Memphis staged a comeback after trailing by 11 in the final minutes.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 86 victories since 2014, tied for the 13th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 86 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers are also tied for 18th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 86-40 (.683) mark.
• Memphis' streak of 10-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.
MEMPHIS LEADS NATION IN CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 20 OR MORE POINTS
• The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 24-consecutive games - the longest active streak in the nation - dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.
• Memphis has scored 889 points over that stretch for an average of 37.04 points.
• The next longest active streak belongs to North Texas (22), followed by Oregon State (18), Florida State (17) and Georgia (14).
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• The Tigers (55) rank in a tie for fifth in the FBS in home wins since 2014 with Michigan, trailing only Alabama (64), Clemson (64), Ohio State (60) and Georgia (56).
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 45-8 (.849) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the staff in 2016.
• As head coach, Silverfield is 20-5 (.800) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 23 of the last 28 games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 34 interceptions and 19 fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in 16 of those 28 contests.
BOWL STREAK
• With the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl eligible for the 10th-straight season.
• Entering 2023, Memphis was one of 10 teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Iowa 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.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Saturday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-25 nationally in 14 statistical categories.
• As a team, the Tigers are ranked 13th in the NCAA in winning percentage (.800), 17th in fewest penalties (46), 18th in fewest penalties per game (4.60) and 21st in turnover margin (.60).
• Offensively, the team is ranked ninth in the country in scoring offense (39.7), 14th in passing offense (296.5), 19th in completion percentage (.662), 21st in total offense (452.3) and 25th in first downs offense (226).
• Defensively, Memphis is ranked sixth in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.286), ninth in defensive touchdowns (3), ninth in fumbles recovered (9), 11th in turnovers gained (19) and 17th in third down conversion percentage defense (.305).
DO-IT-ALL WATSON
• Running back Blake Watson has done it all for Memphis this season, ranking 13th in the nation and second the AAC in all-purpose yards at 130.70 per game.
• The Old Dominion transfer also ranks ninth in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (12), ninth in total touchdowns (14), 24th in scoring (8.4), 24th in total points scored (84), 25th in rush yards per carry (5.98), 29th in rushing yards (909) and 30th in rushing yards per game (90.9).
• Watson ranks second on the team in receptions (43) and third in receiving yards (393).
HENIGAN AT IT AGAIN
• For the third-consecutive season, Seth Henigan ranks nationally amongst the best quarterbacks in the country.
• Henigan is ranked 10th in the NCAA in total offense (309.3), 13th in completions per game (24.00), 14th in passing yards (2,864), 14th in passing touchdowns (22), 15th in passing yards per game (286.4), 18th in points responsible for (158), 18th in points responsible for per game (15.8) and 24th in completion percentage (.663).
• Entering Saturday's game, Henigan ranks third in program history in career passing yards (9,757) and completions (761) and fourth all-time in attempts (1,201) and passing touchdowns (69).
• His 16 300-yard passing games are the most in program history.
• The junior is the youngest third year starting quarterback (20 years old) in the FBS this season.
MARTIN MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
• Linebacker Chandler Martin has made an immediate impact for the Tigers after transferring from East Tennessee State.
• Martin leads Memphis with 78 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks on the season and two forced fumbles.
• Martin ranks 13th in the NCAA and second in the AAC in solo tackles per game (5.3).
NCAA STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Running back Sutton Smith ranks sixth in the FBS and second in the conference in kickoff returns (28.2).
• Defensive back Simeon Blair ranks 12th in the NCAA and second in the AAC in fumbles recovered (2).
SENIOR DAY
• A total of 17 Tigers will participate in the Senior Day ceremony before the game on Saturday.
• The players participating will be Jaylon Allen, Simeon Blair, Reid Bauer, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Tauskie Dove, Koby Drake, Josh Ellison, Cincir Evans, Malik Feaster, Andres Fox, Jaylen Joyner, Jacob Likes, Terrance McClain, Joe Norwood, Hank Pearson, Joseph Scates and Blake Watson.
• Some of the players participating in the Senior Day ceremony have eligibility remaining and could return next season.
ROAD WARRIORS
• Memphis has four victories on the road this season, marking just the 13th time in program history a team has won four or more road contests.
• The Tigers also achieved the feat in 2019, 2015, 2014, 2004, 1983, 1975, 1963, 1950, 1949, 1938, 1933 and 1929.
• The school record for roads wins is five, set in 2019, 2015 and 1949.
MEMPHIS WINS THRILLER AT CHARLOTTE IN OVERTIME
• The Tigers earned their fourth road win of the season in wild fashion on Nov. 11 at Charlotte, beating the 49ers, 44-38, in overtime.
• Trailing by 10 points with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, the Tigers stormed back to force overtime. After a Blake Watson eight-yard rushing touchdown cut the lead to three with 5:25 left, Tanner Gillis tied the game with 35 seconds left with a 41-yard field goal.
• In overtime, the 49ers had the ball first, but the Memphis defense forced a 37-yard field goal that missed wide right. On the ensuing possession, the Tigers handed the ball off to Watson on five-straight snaps, culminating in a two-yard TD rush to seal the victory.
• Quarterback Seth Henigan was terrific for Memphis, completing 32-of-48 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to earn AAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
• The Tiger defense totaled four interceptions on the day, including one returned 60 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Chandler Martin.
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.
Tickets for the game are available at GoTigersGo.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
SETTING THE SCENE
• Last Saturday, the Tigers earned the team's fourth road win of the season, beating Charlotte, 44-38, in overtime. Quarterback Seth Henigan passed for over 300 yards, while running back Blake Watson had three total touchdowns. On defense, Memphis totaled four interceptions in the win.
• Memphis has posted 86 victories since 2014, tied for the 13th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 86 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 24-consecutive games - the longest active streak in the nation.
• Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 23 of their last 28 games, piling up 53 takeaways over that span.
• With the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl-eligible for the 10th-straight season. Entering 2023, Memphis was one of 10 teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Mississippi State.
SCOUTING SMU
• SMU comes to Memphis riding a six-game winning streak, pushing the team's record to 8-2 on the season and to 6-0 in AAC play. The Mustangs' only two losses this year have come on the road against No. 18 Oklahoma and TCU.
• SMU sits atop the league standings and have won its six conference games by an average of 30.3 points.
• In the NCAA rankings, SMU is seventh in the country in scoring offense (40.5), ninth in scoring defense (16.4), 10th in total offense (473.2) and 11th in total defense (290.8).
• In 2022, the Mustangs posted a record of 7-6 overall and a mark of 5-3 in AAC play. SMU earned a berth to the New Mexico Bowl, where the team fell to BYU, 24-23.
• Prior to this season, SMU was picked to finish third in the AAC in a poll conducted of the league's media, one spot ahead of the Tigers. The Mustangs garnered three first-place votes in the poll.
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday's game between Memphis and SMU will mark the 16th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1976.
• The teams have alternated wins the last three games, with each squad winning at home. The Tigers had their six-game winning streak in the series snapped in 2020.
• Last season, the Mustangs won a thriller in Dallas, 34-31, holding on after Memphis staged a comeback after trailing by 11 in the final minutes.
ONE OF THE ELITE PROGRAMS IN THE NATION
• Memphis has posted 86 victories since 2014, tied for the 13th-most in the nation during that stretch.
• The 86 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span.
• The Tigers are also tied for 18th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 86-40 (.683) mark.
• Memphis' streak of 10-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.
MEMPHIS LEADS NATION IN CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 20 OR MORE POINTS
• The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 24-consecutive games - the longest active streak in the nation - dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.
• Memphis has scored 889 points over that stretch for an average of 37.04 points.
• The next longest active streak belongs to North Texas (22), followed by Oregon State (18), Florida State (17) and Georgia (14).
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
• The Tigers (55) rank in a tie for fifth in the FBS in home wins since 2014 with Michigan, trailing only Alabama (64), Clemson (64), Ohio State (60) and Georgia (56).
• Memphis has had a great home field advantage at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, posting a record of 45-8 (.849) since head coach Ryan Silverfield joined the staff in 2016.
• As head coach, Silverfield is 20-5 (.800) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
FORCING TURNOVERS
• Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 23 of the last 28 games.
• Over that stretch, the Tigers have totaled 34 interceptions and 19 fumbles.
• Memphis has forced multiple turnovers in 16 of those 28 contests.
BOWL STREAK
• With the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl eligible for the 10th-straight season.
• Entering 2023, Memphis was one of 10 teams in the FBS with nine or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Iowa 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.
MEMPHIS IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
• Entering Saturday's game, the Tigers rank in the top-25 nationally in 14 statistical categories.
• As a team, the Tigers are ranked 13th in the NCAA in winning percentage (.800), 17th in fewest penalties (46), 18th in fewest penalties per game (4.60) and 21st in turnover margin (.60).
• Offensively, the team is ranked ninth in the country in scoring offense (39.7), 14th in passing offense (296.5), 19th in completion percentage (.662), 21st in total offense (452.3) and 25th in first downs offense (226).
• Defensively, Memphis is ranked sixth in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.286), ninth in defensive touchdowns (3), ninth in fumbles recovered (9), 11th in turnovers gained (19) and 17th in third down conversion percentage defense (.305).
DO-IT-ALL WATSON
• Running back Blake Watson has done it all for Memphis this season, ranking 13th in the nation and second the AAC in all-purpose yards at 130.70 per game.
• The Old Dominion transfer also ranks ninth in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (12), ninth in total touchdowns (14), 24th in scoring (8.4), 24th in total points scored (84), 25th in rush yards per carry (5.98), 29th in rushing yards (909) and 30th in rushing yards per game (90.9).
• Watson ranks second on the team in receptions (43) and third in receiving yards (393).
HENIGAN AT IT AGAIN
• For the third-consecutive season, Seth Henigan ranks nationally amongst the best quarterbacks in the country.
• Henigan is ranked 10th in the NCAA in total offense (309.3), 13th in completions per game (24.00), 14th in passing yards (2,864), 14th in passing touchdowns (22), 15th in passing yards per game (286.4), 18th in points responsible for (158), 18th in points responsible for per game (15.8) and 24th in completion percentage (.663).
• Entering Saturday's game, Henigan ranks third in program history in career passing yards (9,757) and completions (761) and fourth all-time in attempts (1,201) and passing touchdowns (69).
• His 16 300-yard passing games are the most in program history.
• The junior is the youngest third year starting quarterback (20 years old) in the FBS this season.
MARTIN MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT
• Linebacker Chandler Martin has made an immediate impact for the Tigers after transferring from East Tennessee State.
• Martin leads Memphis with 78 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks on the season and two forced fumbles.
• Martin ranks 13th in the NCAA and second in the AAC in solo tackles per game (5.3).
NCAA STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Running back Sutton Smith ranks sixth in the FBS and second in the conference in kickoff returns (28.2).
• Defensive back Simeon Blair ranks 12th in the NCAA and second in the AAC in fumbles recovered (2).
SENIOR DAY
• A total of 17 Tigers will participate in the Senior Day ceremony before the game on Saturday.
• The players participating will be Jaylon Allen, Simeon Blair, Reid Bauer, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Tauskie Dove, Koby Drake, Josh Ellison, Cincir Evans, Malik Feaster, Andres Fox, Jaylen Joyner, Jacob Likes, Terrance McClain, Joe Norwood, Hank Pearson, Joseph Scates and Blake Watson.
• Some of the players participating in the Senior Day ceremony have eligibility remaining and could return next season.
ROAD WARRIORS
• Memphis has four victories on the road this season, marking just the 13th time in program history a team has won four or more road contests.
• The Tigers also achieved the feat in 2019, 2015, 2014, 2004, 1983, 1975, 1963, 1950, 1949, 1938, 1933 and 1929.
• The school record for roads wins is five, set in 2019, 2015 and 1949.
MEMPHIS WINS THRILLER AT CHARLOTTE IN OVERTIME
• The Tigers earned their fourth road win of the season in wild fashion on Nov. 11 at Charlotte, beating the 49ers, 44-38, in overtime.
• Trailing by 10 points with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation, the Tigers stormed back to force overtime. After a Blake Watson eight-yard rushing touchdown cut the lead to three with 5:25 left, Tanner Gillis tied the game with 35 seconds left with a 41-yard field goal.
• In overtime, the 49ers had the ball first, but the Memphis defense forced a 37-yard field goal that missed wide right. On the ensuing possession, the Tigers handed the ball off to Watson on five-straight snaps, culminating in a two-yard TD rush to seal the victory.
• Quarterback Seth Henigan was terrific for Memphis, completing 32-of-48 passes for 329 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to earn AAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
• The Tiger defense totaled four interceptions on the day, including one returned 60 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Chandler Martin.
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
DL
/ Football
P
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
P/K
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballSaturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18
Saturday, April 18
Tuesday, April 14