2021 Memphis Tigers football team

Last updated

2021 Memphis Tigers football
Memphis Tigers 2003-2021 wordmark.svg
Hawaii Bowl, canceled vs. Hawaii
Conference American Athletic Conference
Record6–6 (3–5 American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns (3rd season)
Offensive scheme Spread
Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre (2nd season)
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^  8 0   13 1  
No. 17 Houston y  8 0   12 2  
UCF  5 3   9 4  
East Carolina  5 3   7 5  
Tulsa  5 3   7 6  
SMU  4 4   8 4  
Memphis  3 5   6 6  
Navy  3 5   4 8  
Tulane  1 7   2 10  
South Florida  1 7   2 10  
Temple  1 7   3 9  
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 Memphis Tigers football team represented the University of Memphis in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Ryan Silverfield.

Contents

The Tigers finished the regular season with a 6–6 record and were due to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl. However, due to a COVID-19 outbreak, season-ending injuries, and transfers, the Rainbow Warriors were forced to withdraw the day before the game, leaving the Tigers without a bowl game. [1]

Preseason

American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021. [2] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Cincinnati262 (22)
2UCF241 (2)
3SMU188
4Houston181
5Memphis168
6Tulsa153
7Tulane132
т-8East Carolina85
т-8Navy85
10Temple46
11South Florida43

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:00 p.m. No. 22 (FCS) Nicholls * ESPN+ W 42–1730,263
September 116:00 p.m.at Arkansas State *ESPN+W 55–5019,501
September 183:00 p.m. Mississippi State *
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPN2 W 31–2943,461
September 252:30 p.m. UTSA *
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPNU L 28–3129,264
October 211:00 a.m.at Temple ESPNUL 31–3428,573
October 98:00 p.m.at Tulsa ESPN2 L 29–3517,593
October 146:30 p.m. Navy
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPN W 35–1730,042
October 226:00 p.m.at UCF ESPN2L 7–2439,328
November 611:00 a.m. SMU
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPNUW 28–2530,191
November 1311:00 a.m. East Carolina
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPN+L 29–30 OT28,431
November 198:00 p.m.at No. 24 Houston ESPN2L 13–3128,712
November 276:30 p.m. Tulane
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPNUW 33–2827,416
December 248:00 p.m.at Hawaii * ESPN Canceled A _

[4]

Game summaries

Nicholls

Nicholls at Memphis
1234Total
No. 22 (FCS) Colonels707317
Tigers10196742
  • Date: September 4, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 13 minutes
  • Game attendance: 30,263
  • Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: S 9 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross (play–by–play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)
        
Pregame lineOver/under
MEM –22.568
StatisticsNichollsMemphis
First downs1732
Total yards299587
Rushing yards100322
Passing yards199265
Turnovers10
Time of possession28:4531:15
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NichollsPassing Lindsey Scott Jr. 17/30, 194 yards, 1 TD
RushingJulien Gums13 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Dai'Jean Dixon 7 receptions, 107 yards
MemphisPassing Seth Henigan 19/32, 265 yards, 1 TD
RushingBrandon Thomas16 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingJavon Ivory5 receptions, 106 yards

At Arkansas State

Memphis at Arkansas State
1234Total
Tigers201471455
Red Wolves101372050
  • Date: September 11, 2021
  • Location: Centennial Bank Stadium
    Jonesboro, AR
  • Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 47 minutes
  • Game attendance: 19,501
  • Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 10 MPH
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brad Bobo (play–by–play), Pete Cordelli (analyst), and Cori Keller (sideline reporter)
             
Pregame lineOver/under
MEM –5.565
StatisticsMemphisArkansas State
First downs2435
Total yards680680
Rushing yards26398
Passing yards417582
Turnovers20
Time of possession24:0435:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan22/33, 417 yards, 5 TDs
RushingBrandon Thomas18 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Calvin Austin 6 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TDs
Arkansas StatePassing James Blackman 19/28, 306 yards, 4 TDs
RushingLincoln Pare6 carries, 36 yards
ReceivingJeff Foreman8 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD

Mississippi State

Mississippi State at Memphis
1234Total
Bulldogs31401229
Tigers7071731
      
Pregame lineOver/under
MSST –3.064
StatisticsMississippi StateMemphis
First downs2612
Total yards468246
Rushing yards4987
Passing yards419159
Turnovers01
Time of possession37:3032:13
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Mississippi StatePassing Will Rogers 50/67, 419 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Dillon Johnson 7 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Makai Polk 11 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan16/28, 159 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
RushingBrandon Thomas16 carries, 83 yards
ReceivingCalvin Austin9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs

UTSA

UTSA at Memphis
1234Total
Roadrunners0771731
RV Tigers2107028
     
Pregame lineOver/under
MEM –3.067
StatisticsUTSAMemphis
First downs2516
Total yards399407
Rushing yards20578
Passing yards194329
Turnovers12
Time of possession35:42 
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UTSAPassing Frank Harris 18/28, 186 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Sincere McCormick 42 carries, 184 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Joshua Cephus 6 receptions, 82 yards
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan15/25, 329 yards, 1 TD
RushingBrandon Thomas20 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingSean Dykes6 receptions, 167 yards

At Temple

Memphis at Temple
1234Total
Tigers3146831
Owls01771034
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Lincoln Financial Field
    Philadelphia, PA
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes
  • Game attendance: 28,573
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 12 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): 
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsMemphisTemple
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
TemplePassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

At Tulsa

Memphis at Tulsa
1234Total
Tigers01301629
Golden Hurricane7771435
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsMemphisTulsa
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
TulsaPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
Navy at Memphis
1234Total
Midshipmen737017
Tigers14147035
  • Date: October 14, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours
  • Game attendance: 30,042
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 8 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) & Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
     
Pregame lineOver/Under
MEMPHIS –11.056
StatisticsNavyMemphis
First downs1715
Total yards241415
Rushing yards198200
Passing yards43215
Turnovers01
Time of possession39:1920:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NavyPassing Tai Lavatai 3/4, 27 yards, TD
RushingIsaac Ruoss18 carries, 75 yards
ReceivingMychal Copper1 reception, 21 yards, TD
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan8/12, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingCalvin Austin III1 carry, 69 yards, TD
ReceivingEddie Lewis3 receptions, 92 yards, TD

At UCF

Memphis at Central Florida
1234Total
Tigers07007
Knights1407324
  • Date: October 22, 2021
  • Location: Bounce House
    Orlando, FL
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 
  • Game attendance: 
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: 
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): 
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsMemphisUCF
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
UCFPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

SMU

Southern Methodist at Memphis
1234Total
Mustangs01001525
Tigers0714728
  • Date: November 6, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:14
  • Game attendance: 30,191
  • Game weather: Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 0 MPH
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
     
Pregame lineOver/under
SMU –3.572
StatisticsSMUMemphis
First downs1625
Total yards323468
Rushing yards6136
Passing yards262432
Turnovers31
Time of possession23:0536:55
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
SMUPassing Tanner Mordecai 19/28, 262 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingTre Siggers12 rushes, 53 yards
Receiving Danny Gray 4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingMarquavius Weaver10 rushes, 17 yards
ReceivingCalvin Austin8 receptions, 88 yards

East Carolina

East Carolina at Memphis
12Total
Pirates0
Tigers0
  • Date: November 13, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: TBD CST
  • Elapsed time: 
  • Game attendance: 
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: 
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross, Brandon Weeden
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsEast CarolinaMemphis
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
East CarolinaPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
MemphisPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

At No. 24 Houston

Memphis at Houston
1234Total
Tigers037313
No. 24 Cougars02101031
  • Date: November 19, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 40 minutes
  • Game attendance: 28,712
  • Game weather: • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 4 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
     
Pregame lineOver/under
HOU –9.559
StatisticsMemphisHouston
First downs2425
Total yards322461
Rushing yards106197
Passing yards216264
Turnovers22
Time of possession25:3434:26
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MemphisPassingSeth Henigan21/45, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingRodrigues Clark12 rushes, 32 yards
ReceivingCalvin Austin5 receptions, 103 yards
HoustonPassing Clayton Tune 20/34, 264 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingTa'Zhawn Henry13 rushes, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tank Dell 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Tulane

Tulane at Memphis
12Total
Green Wave0
Tigers0
  • Date: November 27, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: TBD CST
  • Elapsed time: 
  • Game attendance: 
  • Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD
  • Referee: 
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker
Pregame lineOver/under
  
StatisticsTulaneMemphis
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
TulanePassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  
MemphisPassing  
Rushing  
Receiving  

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RV
Coaches RVRVRV
CFP Not releasedNot released

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawaii Bowl</span> Annual college football bowl game

The Hawaiʻi Bowl is a college football bowl game that has been played in the Honolulu, Hawaii, area since 2002. The game was originally held at Aloha Stadium in Halawa, Hawaii, a suburb of Honolulu, before moving to the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex in 2022. The bowl is one of the post-season contests run by ESPN Events. Typically played on or near Christmas Eve, the bowl normally features a team from the Mountain West Conference, playing a team from either the American Athletic Conference or Conference USA. Since the 2021 edition of the bowl, it is sponsored by EasyPost. Previous sponsors include ConAgra Foods (2002) and Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii (2003–2013), and SoFi (2018–2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football</span> University of Hawaii football team

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in NCAA Division I FBS college football. It was part of the Western Athletic Conference until July 2012, when the team joined the Mountain West Conference.

The Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in college football in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Tigers play in the American Athletic Conference as an all-sports member. They play home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The team's head coach is Ryan Silverfield. Since their inaugural season in 1912, the Memphis Tigers have won over 500 games and appeared in seventeen bowl games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2014 American Athletic Conference football season was the 24th NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football season of the American Athletic Conference. The season was the second since the breakup of the former Big East Conference, which lasted in its original form from its creation in 1979 until 2013.

The 2018 Hawaii Bowl was a college football bowl game being played on December 22, 2018, in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was the 17th edition of the Hawaii Bowl, and one of the 2018–19 bowl games concluding the 2018 FBS football season. This was the first time since 2007 that the bowl was not played on Christmas Eve. Sponsored by the SoFi personal finance company, the game was officially called the SoFi Hawaii Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors played their home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. They competed in the West Division of the Mountain West Conference and were led by fourth-year head coach Nick Rolovich, in what was his final season before his abrupt resignation in January 2020.

The 2019 Memphis Tigers football team represented the University of Memphis in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, and competed in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Mike Norvell through the team's win in the American Championship Game, after which he left to fill the head coaching vacancy at Florida State. It was the first outright/unshared conference championship in 50 seasons. The team lost only two games, a regular season match-up against Temple and their bowl game against Penn State. Offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield was initially named head coach of the team for their bowl game, the Cotton Bowl; the interim tag was removed and he was named the new head coach of the Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati–Memphis rivalry</span> Sports rivalry

The Cincinnati–Memphis rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the University of Memphis Tigers. The rivalry between these two schools dates to their first college football game in 1966, and has continued across all sports, with the men's basketball series gaining attention as well, having started in 1968. The schools have also shared conferences historically, with the rivalry stretching over the span of five conferences from the Missouri Valley Conference, to the Metro Conference, Great Midwest Conference, Conference USA, and more recently in the American Athletic Conference.

The 2020 Cincinnati Bearcats football team represented the University of Cincinnati in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bearcats played their home games at Nippert Stadium and competed as members of the American Athletic Conference. They were led by fourth-year head coach Luke Fickell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2020 American Athletic Conference football season is the 29th NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision season of the American Athletic Conference. The season is the eighth since the former Big East Conference dissolved and became the American Athletic Conference and the seventh season of the College Football Playoff in place. The American is considered a member of the Group of Five (G5) together with Conference USA (C–USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors played their final home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu as members of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by first-year head coach Todd Graham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Houston Cougars football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Houston Cougars football team represented the University of Houston in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Cougars played their home games at TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Dana Holgorsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–21 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2020–21 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball team represented the University of Hawaii at Manoa during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Rainbow Warriors, led by sixth-year head coach Eran Ganot, played their home games at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii was a member of the Big West Conference, and participated in their 9th season in that league.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors played their home games on the campus at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex as members of the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Todd Graham.

The 2021–22 NCAA football bowl games were a series of college football games scheduled to complete the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The main games concluded with the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship played on January 10, 2022, while the all-star portion of the schedule concluded February 19, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2021 American Athletic Conference football season was the 30th NCAA Division I FBS Football season of the American Athletic Conference. The season was the ninth since the former Big East Conference dissolved and became the American Athletic Conference and the eighth season of the College Football Playoff in place. The American was considered a member of the Group of Five (G5) together with Conference USA (C–USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 East Carolina Pirates football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 East Carolina Pirates football team represented East Carolina University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Pirates, led by third-year head coach Mike Houston, play their home games at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium as members of the American Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 SMU Mustangs football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, competed as members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Mustangs were led by fourth-year coach Sonny Dykes—on November 29, it was announced that Dykes would leave the program to become the head coach at TCU. He finished at SMU with an overall record of 30–18.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Mountain West Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2021 Mountain West Conference football season, part of this year's NCAA Division I FBS football season was the 23rd season of college football for the Mountain West Conference (MW). Since 2012, 12 teams have competed in the Mountain West Conference. The season began on August 28, 2021 and ended on December 28, 2021. The entire schedule was released on March 5, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 American Athletic Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2022 American Athletic Conference football season is the 31st NCAA Division I FBS Football season of the American Athletic Conference. The season is the tenth since the former Big East Conference dissolved and became the American Athletic Conference and the ninth season of the College Football Playoff in place. The American is considered a member of the Group of Five (G5) together with Conference USA, the MAC, Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference. In September 2021, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF accepted invitations to join the Big 12 Conference. The three schools had been contractually required to remain with The American through 2024, but the conference and its departing members reached a buyout agreement that allowed those schools to leave in 2023.

References

  1. "Hawaii has pulled out of the Hawaii Bowl game against Memphis because of COVID-19, season-ending injuries and transfers". ABC News . AP. December 23, 2021. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  2. "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  3. Adelson, Andrea (December 23, 2021). "Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors out of Hawai'i Bowl due to COVID-19 issues". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  4. "2021 Memphis Tigers Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 20, 2021.