Memphis Football: Tigers keep New Year’s Six bowl hopes alive vs. SMU
By Jesse Smith
Despite a weather delay, Memphis football took care of SMU with no problem on Saturday evening. What’s next for the Tigers?
Memphis welcomed high-powered SMU to its home in Week 12 looking to lock up the AAC West. Besides losing to No. 15 UCF, Memphis has gone through the season unblemished.
The game was delayed 57 minutes due to bad weather and lighting, but it didn’t stop Memphis from outscoring SMU 66-45. The Tigers are now locked in the AAC Championship Game the first week of December.
Memphis has a three-headed monster with quarterback Riley Ferguson, running back Darrell Henderson and wide receiver Anthony Miller. Ferguson went 21-for-27 passing for 320 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and had six rushes for 29 yards and three touchdowns.
Moreover, Ferguson had five touchdowns total (two passing, three rushing). Henderson had 10 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns with a long of 70 yards. Miller had eight catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. These three gentlemen account for most of the teams 664 total yards during Week 12.
Memphis defense didn’t do a great job against the SMU offense allowing 477 total yards. The one thing you question about Memphis is its defense, but the Tigers are lucky their offense is so impressive.
SMU quarterback Ben Hicks only went 15-for-34 passing, but threw for 218 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Xavier Jones had 20 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns with a long run of 50 yards. Although 45 points isn’t anything to sneeze at, Memphis’ offense was too much for SMU to handle.
SMU is now 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the AAC West and have clinched a bowl bid.
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Memphis is now 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the AAC West with its side of the division clinched. In Week 13, Memphis will face ECU, but win or lose the Tigers will go to the AAC Championship. If they win out, they will have a chance at a New Year’s Six Bowl and that is what all the Group of Five teams play for.