We have a non-conference matchup on the gridiron when a member of Conference USA takes to the road to head to Bluff City to face a program from the AAC. The North Texas Mean Green are on the road as they travel to face the Memphis Tigers Saturday afternoon. North Texas comes in off a 58-27 road demolition by UNLV in their most recent contest last Saturday. Memphis rolls in off a 44-32 victory at home over Arkansas State last Saturday in their previous game. In the all-time series between the teams, the Tigers own a commanding 16-3 advantage, including a 27-17 win in the most recent meeting, which came in the New Orleans Bowl back on December 16, 2003.
North Texas was on the road in their previous game and was clobbered by UNLV, snapping their win streak at one. The Mean Green now try to climb over the .500 mark for the third time this season while hoping to avoid falling below the break-even point for the first time here. Against UNLV, North Texas led 10-9 after one quarter and was within 23-20 at the half. The deficit was still three at 30-27 early in the third quarter before the Mean Green gave up the game’s final 28 points to lose going away. North Texas lost the total offense battle 576-474, gave up 28 first downs while picking up 20 and was crushed 38:57 to 21:03 in time of possession. The Mean Green committed a pair of turnovers, including a pick-six, while failing to record a takeaway. They scored on a kick return but also gave up a safety in the loss.
This season, the Mean Green stand tied for 57th in the nation in passi ng offense with 255 yards per contest and 24th in rushing offense with 220.5 yards per game. North Texas is 73rd in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 31.8 points a game while they are 114th in scoring defense by giving up 36.5 points a contest. Austin Aune is 58 of 107 passing for 945 yards with nine touchdowns against four interceptions while adding 25 yards on the ground. Grant Gunnell is four of nine for 75 yards and an interception this season. Ayo Adeyi leads the ground attack with 48 carries for 330 yards plus a score on the year. Oscar Adaway III (57 carries, 298 yards, four TD) and Isaiah Johnson (21 carries, 82 yards) are capable of doing damage when they get touches as well. Roderic Burns leads the team in receiving with 13 catches for 275 yards plus a score. Ja’Mori Maclin (six catches, 158 yards, TD), Jyaire Shorter (eight grabs, 151 yards, TD), Var’Keyes Gumms (seven receptions, 137 yards, two TD), Jake Roberts (eight catches, 103 yards, TD) and Damon Ward Jr. (eight receptions, 100 yards) have all cracked the century mark in receiving yards. Ethan Mooney has drilled all 16 extra point attempts and five of six field goal tries with a long of 43 this year.