KC Star (Sports Network) Memphis preview

[The PonyGrad]

FACTS & STATS: Site: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium (61,008) -- Memphis, Tennessee. Television: FSN. Home Record: SMU 2-0, Memphis 1-1. Away Record: SMU 0-1, Memphis 0-1. Neutral Record: SMU 0-0, Memphis 0-0. Conference Record: SMU 1-0, Memphis 0-0. Series Record: Memphis leads, 3-0.

GAME NOTES: Memphis will begin Conference USA play this Saturday when the Tigers host the SMU Mustangs at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

The fourth season at SMU for June Jones did not get off to a great start, as the Mustangs were simply over matched by Texas A&M, 46-14. However, the team rebounded with back-to-back victories at home against Texas-El Paso and Northwestern State. The win against the Miners gives the team a 1-0 start in league play for the third straight year.

As for the Tigers, they took care of their 11-game losing skid with a 27-6 decision over Austin Peay this past weekend. The win came after the team opened the year with losses to Mississippi State and Arkansas State. Now next on the list for second year coach Larry Porter will be leading the team to a win in league action. Memphis went winless in conference action last year and has now dropped 13 consecutive matchups against league foes. The last time the Tigers were victories against a C-USA opponent was in 2009 when they defeated Texas-El Paso, 35-20.

These two schools clashed just once prior to becoming conference foes and three times overall. That matchup took place in 1975 with Memphis walking away with a 27-13 decision. The series picked up steam in 2007, but the results were the same as the Tigers claimed a thrilling, 55-52 triple-overtime victory that year and followed with a 31-25 decision in 2008.

The Mustangs might roll into this game with a 2-1 mark, but the offense has put forth a lopsided effort, and is currently relying on the rushing attack too much.

In the team's win over Northwestern State, Zach Line scored all five touchdowns for the Mustangs and finished with 85 rushing yards on 16 totes. Line has been the main scoring option through three games, and out of the 10 touchdowns scored by the offense eight are by Line.

The Mustangs have been unable to find similar success through the air and that is because J.J. McDermott and Kyle Pardon have been inconsistent. Padron has completed just nine passes in three games and has thrown three picks. As for McDermott, he has thrown just one touchdown pass, but has been intercepted twice.

Line's play has kept this offense afloat, but if the Mustangs plan on competing in league play, there has to be some balance

After being slaughtered by Texas A&M, the defense for coach Jones has played much better, and this past weekend the team allowed only seven points to Northwestern State.

Obviously Northwestern State is not a powerhouse, but the performance should still give the unit confidence for down the road. The Mustangs surrendered just 126 total yards in the matchup and did an outstanding job against the run, smothering Northwestern State for just 49 yards on 29 carries.

It has only been three games but the defense for SMU has made it a point to shut down the run, especially after allowing close to 150.0 ypg on the ground a year ago. The opposition has scored six times via the run thus far, but is being held to only 97.0 yards per matchup.

It has been an all-around effort for SMU, which has also played well against the pass. The Mustangs are holding opponents to under 200 passing yards per game, thanks to a relentless pass rush that has already collected nine sacks on the season.

The Tigers could only manage 17 points through their first two games, but the offense finally came alive against Austin Peay, scoring 27 points in the win.

Taylor Reed had his best showing on the young season as he completed 20-of-30 passes, for 332 yards and three touchdowns. One of those scores went to Billy Foster, who finished with 118 yards on four catches.

Reed still has a long way to go, but that performance was a great first step for the young gunslinger. Some balance from the ground game will certainly help.

Memphis comes into this weekend averaging just 119.7 rushing yards per game, on 3.0 yards per attempt. Even against Austin Peay the Tigers had a tough time finding running room, churning out just 113 yards on 33 totes. Foster led the way with 62 yards on 17 attempts, but has just 171 yards on the year.

Whether against the run or pass, the Tigers have been picked apart and coach Porter's defense has already allowed 15 touchdowns (eight passing and seven rushing).

Even though the Tigers were successful against Austin Peay, the defense still managed to have problems. Despite limiting the Govs to just seven points, Memphis allowed Austin Peay to rack up 368 total yards.

The Tigers forced three turnovers in the win and that definitely helped the defense's cause. The play of Akeem Davis and Kenyata Johnson made a huge difference, as both players collected 10 tackles in the game.

Even though the Tigers are coming off a victory they still have plenty of work to do defensively and the team's inability to stop the run will definitely be a problem against SMU, which has been tremendously successful in that area. The Mustangs might be on the road, but they should have no trouble finding the win column.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 37, Memphis 17


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