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

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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.