Memphis Football: 3 takeaways from big AAC win over SMU

The SMU Mustangs and Memphis football played in the primetime spotlight game on ABC. Here are three takeaways from the Tigers’ big win.

The SMU Mustangs have fallen from the ranks of the undefeated losing to the Memphis Tigers 54-46.

Brady White threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns for the Tigers. Shane Buechele threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns for the Mustangs.

It was a back and forth affair in Memphis; it took a third quarter when the Tigers outscored the Mustangs 17-7 for Memphis to take control of the game. The Tigers held off a late charge by SMU in the fourth quarter to hold on for the win.

This win keeps the Tigers in the hunt for the AAC Championship and now the Mustangs are going to need a lot of help if they are going to win the conference.

Here are three more takeaways from the game.

3. The transfer portal was good for both teams

Both Shane Buechele and Brady White are transfers from other schools. When Chad Morris went to Arkansas to coach the Razorbacks, Ben Hicks went with him. When Sam Ehlinger beat out Shane Buechele for the starting job at Texas, he transferred to SMU. He’s been a leader, and fantastic fit for Sonny Dykes’ spread offense.

Like Hicks, White followed his coach. He went to Memphis sight unseen because of the relationship he’d formed with Mike Norvell while he was offensive coordinator at Arizona State. White has been fantastic all season including tonight’s performance.