2021 Memphis Tigers football team

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2021 Memphis Tigers football
Hawaii Bowl, canceled vs. Hawaii
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record6–6 (3–5 American)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorKevin Johns (3rd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorMike MacIntyre (2nd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
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.

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 finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Cincinnati 262 (22)
2 UCF 241 (2)
3 SMU 188
4 Houston 181
5 Memphis 168
6 Tulsa 153
7 Tulane 132
т-8 East Carolina 85
т-8 Navy 85
10 Temple 46
11 South Florida 43

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
ESPN2W 31–2943,461
September 252:30 p.m.UTSA*
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPNUL 28–3129,264
October 211:00 a.m.at TempleESPNUL 31–3428,573
October 98:00 p.m.at TulsaESPN2L 29–3517,593
October 146:30 p.m.Navy
  • Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
ESPNW 35–1730,042
October 226:00 p.m.at UCFESPN2L 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 HoustonESPN2L 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_
  • ^ Hawaii was forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 and other related issues within the team. The game was canceled shortly after.[3]

[4]

Game summaries

Nicholls

Nicholls at Memphis
1 234Total
No. 22 (FCS) Colonels 7 073 17
Tigers 10 1967 42
  • 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 line Over/under
MEM –22.5 68
Statistics Nicholls Memphis
First downs 17 32
Total yards 299 587
Rushing yards 100 322
Passing yards 199 265
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 28:45 31:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Nicholls Passing Lindsey Scott Jr. 17/30, 194 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Julien Gums 13 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Dai'Jean Dixon 7 receptions, 107 yards
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 19/32, 265 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Brandon Thomas 16 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Javon Ivory 5 receptions, 106 yards

At Arkansas State

Memphis at Arkansas State
1 234Total
Tigers 20 14714 55
Red Wolves 10 13720 50
  • 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 line Over/under
MEM –5.5 65
Statistics Memphis Arkansas State
First downs 24 35
Total yards 680 680
Rushing yards 263 98
Passing yards 417 582
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 24:04 35:56
Team Category Player Statistics
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 22/33, 417 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing Brandon Thomas 18 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Calvin Austin 6 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TDs
Arkansas State Passing James Blackman 19/28, 306 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Lincoln Pare 6 carries, 36 yards
Receiving Jeff Foreman 8 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD

Mississippi State

Mississippi State at Memphis
1 234Total
Bulldogs 3 14012 29
Tigers 7 0717 31
      
Pregame line Over/under
MSST –3.0 64
Statistics Mississippi State Memphis
First downs 26 12
Total yards 468 246
Rushing yards 49 87
Passing yards 419 159
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 37:30 32:13
Team Category Player Statistics
Mississippi State Passing 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
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 16/28, 159 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Brandon Thomas 16 carries, 83 yards
Receiving Calvin Austin 9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs

UTSA

UTSA at Memphis
1 234Total
Roadrunners 0 7717 31
RV Tigers 21 070 28
     
Pregame line Over/under
MEM –3.0 67
Statistics UTSA Memphis
First downs 25 16
Total yards 399 407
Rushing yards 205 78
Passing yards 194 329
Turnovers 1 2
Time of possession 35:42  
Team Category Player Statistics
UTSA Passing Frank Harris 18/28, 186 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Sincere McCormick 42 carries, 184 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Joshua Cephus 6 receptions, 82 yards
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 15/25, 329 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Brandon Thomas 20 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Sean Dykes 6 receptions, 167 yards

At Temple

Memphis at Temple
1 234Total
Tigers 3 1468 31
Owls 0 17710 34
  • 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 line Over/under
   
Statistics Memphis Temple
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Memphis Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Temple Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At Tulsa

Memphis at Tulsa
1 234Total
Tigers 0 13016 29
Golden Hurricane 7 7714 35
Pregame line Over/under
   
Statistics Memphis Tulsa
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Memphis Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Tulsa Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Navy at Memphis
1 234Total
Midshipmen 7 370 17
Tigers 14 1470 35
  • 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 line Over/Under
MEMPHIS –11.0 56
Statistics Navy Memphis
First downs 17 15
Total yards 241 415
Rushing yards 198 200
Passing yards 43 215
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 39:19 20:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 3/4, 27 yards, TD
Rushing Isaac Ruoss 18 carries, 75 yards
Receiving Mychal Copper 1 reception, 21 yards, TD
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 8/12, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Calvin Austin III 1 carry, 69 yards, TD
Receiving Eddie Lewis 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD

At UCF

Memphis at Central Florida
1 234Total
Tigers 0 700 7
Knights 14 073 24
  • 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 line Over/under
   
Statistics Memphis UCF
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Memphis Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
UCF Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

SMU

Southern Methodist at Memphis
1 234Total
Mustangs 0 10015 25
Tigers 0 7147 28
  • 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 line Over/under
SMU –3.5 72
Statistics SMU Memphis
First downs 16 25
Total yards 323 468
Rushing yards 61 36
Passing yards 262 432
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 23:05 36:55
Team Category Player Statistics
SMU Passing Tanner Mordecai 19/28, 262 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Tre Siggers 12 rushes, 53 yards
Receiving Danny Gray 4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Marquavius Weaver 10 rushes, 17 yards
Receiving Calvin Austin 8 receptions, 88 yards

East Carolina

East Carolina at Memphis
1 2Total
Pirates 0
Tigers 0
  • 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 line Over/under
   
Statistics East Carolina Memphis
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
East Carolina Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Memphis Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

At No. 24 Houston

Memphis at Houston
1 234Total
Tigers 0 373 13
No. 24 Cougars 0 21010 31
  • 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 line Over/under
HOU –9.5 59
Statistics Memphis Houston
First downs 24 25
Total yards 322 461
Rushing yards 106 197
Passing yards 216 264
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 25:34 34:26
Team Category Player Statistics
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 21/45, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Rodrigues Clark 12 rushes, 32 yards
Receiving Calvin Austin 5 receptions, 103 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 20/34, 264 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Ta'Zhawn Henry 13 rushes, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tank Dell 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

Tulane

Tulane at Memphis
1 2Total
Green Wave 0
Tigers 0
  • 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 line Over/under
   
Statistics Tulane Memphis
First downs    
Total yards    
Rushing yards    
Passing yards    
Turnovers    
Time of possession    
Team Category Player Statistics
Tulane Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    
Memphis Passing    
Rushing    
Receiving    

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRV
CoachesRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

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.