Memphis (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) meets Navy (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) in an AAC matchup from Annapolis on Saturday at 3:30pmET from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Last season, Memphis beat Navy 35-17 as an 11-point favorite and has won three straight games in the series straight up.
The Tigers lost their opening game to Mississippi State on the road in blowout fashion (49-23) and Navy fell at home to FCS Delaware 14-7.
Memphis' defense goes from one extreme to another this week. Last Saturday, they faced a Mike Leach-run Mississippi State team that relies on the pass (Air Raid offense) and fell behind 28-3 at the half. They were down 35-3 at one point in the third quarter and never really threatened the Bulldogs. Their pass defense was shredded by Will Rogers, who threw for 450 yards and five touchdowns. This game was also delayed for over two hours due to lightning.
You'll want to know this name ??@DuckerJevyon#ALLIN | #GoTigersGo pic.twitter.com/afY7iXScEc
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) September 6, 2022
One thing Memphis is usually strong at is displaying an offense. They averaged 30 points per game and 435 yards per game of offense last season. But they tallied just 29 yards of offense in the first half and that was with a returning quarterback in Seth Hennigan, who threw for 3,322 yards with 25 TDs last season.
Hennigan wound up with just 165 yards passing with one TD. The running game was not relevant considering they were down big early, though Northern Illinois transfer Jeyvon Ducker led the way with 63 yards and two TDs.
The defense is led by All-AAC safety Quindell Johnson, but he's just one of four returning starters. Johnson had nine tackles in the opener, while DE Jaylor Allen led the way with 12 tackles and one sack. The defense allowed 418.2 yards per game and 167.4 yards on the ground (89th). The rush defense will be tested in this one, but fortunately, the secondary can take the day off against a trip le-option team.