Special sports seasons do not just happen. Numerous steps are needed.
For the University of Memphis football Tigers, the first step was getting a win over Central Florida.
The Tigers have overcome major adversity this season from injuries, to players opting out and to COVID-19 concerns.
If the Tigers are to get a win over the Bearcats in Cincinnati on Halloween, of all days, it will be another major step toward a successful season.
If the Tigers want to play in the conference championship for the fourth year in a row, a win over the Bearcats is a must.
Protecting against revenge
Memphis gave Cincinnati their first two losses of the season last year in back-to-back weeks.
Memphis ended the season playing the Bearcats and Memphis hosted the Bearcats in the AAC Championship game and won, securing a spot in the Cotton Bowl.
The Bearcats will carry those losses into this season and try to put a damper on the Tigers’ season.
Keys to victory according to quarterback Brady White
Own the football: This means making the most of every possession. Do not turn football over.
Be physical: For the second week in a row, the Tigers are playing a very physical team.
The coaching staff has adjusted the practice schedule for this week to ensure the team is not burned out by playing two physical teams back to back and having very physical practices all week long.
The Bearcats will be one of the best defenses the Tigers offense will face this season. The Bearcats are ranked 10th in scoring defense, only allowing 12.5 points a game. They are allowing 120 yards rushing and 182 yards passing.
White has passed for more than 300 yards in every game this season.
Do your job: This is a common theme with the Tigers. If players concentrate on doing the things they have to do to be a good football player, then they don’t have to worry too much about what their opponent is doing.
Making sure we play within ourselves. Making sure our energy and focus on the sidelines are all there. Have the Greenhouse effect never too high and never too low.
Memphis versus ranked teams
This will be the highest ranked team the Tigers will have played since playing the sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville in 2001.
Memphis’ last win against a Top-10 team was in 1996 with a 21-17 win over sixth- ranked Tennessee at Liberty Bowl Stadium.
Memphis last win over a ranked team on the road was against Mississippi State in 1993, 45-35.
Memphis’ lone top win against a top 10 ranked team on the road was against Auburn in 1975.
The Tigers have lost 16 straight road games against Top 25 teams, with six of those teams ranked in the Top 10.
Civic pride
Before the season opened, the sports teams at the University of Memphis held peaceful protests about the surge in police violence.
There were several things that came out of that protest, and discussion with the coaches and the team leadership.
One goal was to register to vote as many players on the team as possible. Seventy-six members of the football team were registered to vote.
Brady White confirmed that he had already voted.
The registration drive is the not only civic thing the players have done this season. In past seasons, it was a common thing for football players to be seen at hospitals, nursing homes and schools doing their duties as good community citizens.
It could be an easy excuse for players to brush off any requests for continuing to do those things, but they have not.
White did a zoom meeting with the students at Sea Isle Elementary and Gardenview Elementary schools.
“I take a lot of pride in giving back. Lending by time to give back to other people. I enjoy during community service. I remember being a kid and looking up to college and professional athletes. I feel blessed to have that platform. I want to use it to leave a legacy in the city,” White said.
Game time
move for the Tigers in the winning eff ort against Temple at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
(Photo: Terry Davis
It will be another early kick for the team. The game will be played at 11 a.m. on Halloween and can be seen on ESPN and will be played in Cincinnati. The Tigers have done well in the past in early games.
