Opponent Preview: Memphis
November 22, 2013 | Football
Nov. 22, 2013
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Memphis enters Saturday's game with a 3-6 record, including a 1-4 mark in conference play. The Tigers have won their past two games, posting victories over UT Martin and South Florida.
Memphis has had four losses come by seven points or less, including a seven-point decision to Central Florida. The Knights scored 14 points off two Memphis fumbles in the final two minutes of the contest to win, 24-17.
Head coach Justin Fuente is in his second year at the helm of the program and has guided the Tigers to a 7-14 overall record. Last year, Memphis went 4-8.
Series Recap
This will be the 43rd meeting between Memphis and Louisville. The Cardinals currently hold a 23-19 series lead.
Louisville is on a three-game winning streak against Memphis, including a win in 2010, which was the most recent matchup. In that game, Bilal Powell rushed for 208 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. The Cardinals threw for five touchdowns, with Josh Bellamy hauling in two of those touchdowns along with 112 receiving yards on six catches.
Offense
The Tigers have struggled on offense this year, averaging just over 20 points a game and only managing 330 yards per game. Memphis has been solid in maintaining possession, controlling the ball, on average, for more than 31 minutes per game.
Freshman quarterback Paxton Lynch, who will lead the Tigers' offense, ranks sixth among freshmen in passing yards per game with 175.7. He has completed 59.6 percent of his passes and has thrown six touchdowns this season.
Much of Memphis' offense has come on the ground. Running back Brandon Hayes has been a bright spot this year, as he ranks second in the conference in rushing yards with 703. Hayes has scored five of the team's 11 rushing touchdowns.
Eight different Tigers have caught at least 11 passes this season, paced by Joe Craig's 32 receptions for 293 yards.
As an offense, Memphis ranges from 79-112 nationally in multiple offensive categories.
| Average | National Rank | |
| Points Per Game: | 20.7 | 105 |
| Total Offense: | 330.4 | 112 |
| Passing Offense: | 175.7 | 106 |
| Rushing Offense: | 154.8 | 79 |
Defense
Memphis is led by its stout defense, giving up just 20.6 points per game and only 337.1 yards per contest.
Defensive lineman Martin Ifedi could be a handful for the Cardinals' offensive line, as he ranks third in the nation in sacks with 10.5 and 12th in tackles for loss with 13.5. Fifteen other players have recorded at least one tackle for loss this season.
Bobby McCain, a defensive back for the Tigers, is second in the nation in interceptions with six in just seven games played. The rest of the secondary has been active as well, totaling 44 passes defended.
Collectively, the Tigers have held four opponents to less than 200 yards passing. UCF only mustered 160 yards through the air.
As a defense, Memphis ranges from 11-54 nationally in multiple defensive categories.
| Average | Rank | |
| Points Allowed Per Game: | 20.6 | 21 | |
| Total Defense: | 337.1 | 14 | |
| Passing Defense: | 226.8 | 54 | |
| Rushing Defense: | 110.3 | 11 | |
Special Teams
Jake Elliott is among the nation's top kickers, converting on 14 of his 15 field goal attempts. Elliot also handles kickoffs for the Tigers.
Tom Hornsey averages 45.3 yards per punt and that is good for sixth in the nation. He also has 15 punts over 50 yards and a long of 79 yards.
Keiwone Malone ranks second in the AAC in punt return average with 6.6 yards per return.
