University of Houston
Memphis
Game Primer: Memphis
10/5/2022 5:35:00 PM | Football
Cougars travel to Memphis for second week of conference play
| GAME 6 - MEMPHIS |
Houston at Memphis
Friday, Oct. 7 | 6:30 p.m. CT
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium | Memphis, Tenn.
Broadcast: ESPN2
Radio: KPRC 950 AM
| WHAT TO WATCH FOR |
- Houston is no stranger to success on the road. In 2021, the Cougars went undefeated in road regular season games for the fifth time in program history (2021, 2011, 1988, 1979, 1952). Houston capped its 2021 season with a 17-13 win against Auburn at the Birmingham Bowl in front of a mostly orange-and-blue crowd.
- The Cougars rank 15th nationally with 7.4 tackles for loss per game and are 25th in team sacks with 2.8 per game. Houston's Latrell Bankston ranks 33rd nationally and second in The American among interior defenders with an 81.6 grade per Pro Football Focus (PFF). D'Anthony Jones' 90.8 pass rush grade ranks seventh nationally among edge defenders while Nelson Ceaser checks in at 21st with an 86.6 PFF grade in the category.
- Houston limited Tulane to 84 yards rushing last time out and has held the Green Wave under 100 yards rushing during each of the last three meetings (2020-22). The Cougars have held opponents under 100 yards nine times since the start of the 2021 season, a mark that ranks 11th nationally, and have accomplished the feat twice this season.
- Houston has seen first-hand how small the margin for error is in its losses this season. Texas Tech covered 46 yards in 34 seconds at the end of regulation to set up the game-tying field goal and converted a 4th and 20 during the first overtime of an eventual 33-30 double-overtime victory. Tulane used an 11-play, 75-yard drive, scoring on a fourth down from the 3-yard line with 39 seconds remaining to tie the game during an eventual 27-24 overtime victory.
- Houston defensive back Alex Hogan ranks second nationally in passes defended per game (1.8), punter Laine Wilkins is eighth in punt average (46.1), kicker Bubba Baxa ranks ninth nationally in field goals per game (1.8), defensive lineman D'Anthony Jones is 10th in fumbles forced per game (1.4) and wide receiver Peyton Sawyer is 25th in kick return average (24.8). Wide receiver Nathaniel Dell ranks inside the Top 25 in a host of categories including 13th in receiving touchdowns (5), 20th in receiving yards (453), 20th in receptions per game (6.6) and 24th receiving yards per game (90.6).
| FIVE THINGS TO KNOW |
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Houston has won 10 of its last 11 conference road openers including going 8-1 in American Athletic Conference road openers. Friday will be Houston's final American Conference road opener before moving to the Big 12 Conference for the 2023 season.
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The Cougars have had their share of memorable non-Saturday wins under the lights on ESPN networks, most notably on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, when Houston sacked Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson 11 times, routing the #3/3 Cardinals, 36-10. Over the last 10 seasons, Houston is 10-6 in Friday contests including going 2-0 a season ago (Oct. 1 - win, 45-10 at Tulsa; Nov. 19 - win, 31-13 vs. Memphis).
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With its third overtime game of the season, coming last Friday against Tulane, Houston set a new program single-season record. The Cougars had previously played two overtime games twice, doing so in 1996 and 2000. The Cougars three overtime games lead the nation. Houston's six extra periods in overtime rank third, trailing only Bowling Green (8) and Eastern Kentucky (7).
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Houston has had its share of tough luck with injuries this season. The Cougars were without four starters (WR Joseph Manjack IV, FS Gervarrius Owens, CB Art Green and DE Derek Parish) last time out against Tulane. Parish, who set an American Conference record for sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (6.5) at Texas Tech, is out for the season (torn bicep). Starting linebacker Donavan Mutin missed Houston's game against Rice and starting running back Ta'Zhawn Henry left last Friday's game against Tulane. Backup running back Brandon Campbell missed Houston's game against Rice.
- Houston forced two turnovers, including an 11-yard fumble recovery touchdown, on Sept. 24 against Rice and has forced seven turnovers this season. The Cougars' 219 turnovers forced since 2013 ranks fifth nationally, trailing only Clemson (230), Louisiana Tech (228), UCF (221) and Ohio State (221). Friday's opponent, Memphis, ranks sixth with 218 forced.
| SCOUTING MEMPHIS |
- Houston and Memphis are meeting for the 31st time in the history of the programs (1963-present). Houston holds a 16-14 lead but is looking for its first win at Memphis since Oct. 11, 2014.
- The Cougars snapped a five-game losing streak to the Tigers a season ago. The 2022 season marks the 10th consecutive in which the two teams will face off.
| LAST TIME AGAINST MEMPHIS |
- No. 17 Houston clinched an undefeated conference record for the second time in program history with a 31-13 Friday night victory against Memphis on Nov. 19, 2021.
- Freshman running back Alton McCaskill broke free for a season-long 36-yard touchdown rush to open the scoring for the Cougars in the second quarter. His 15th rushing touchdown of the season, moving him up to a tie for second all-time for Houston single-season rushing touchdowns with Jackie Battle in 2006.
- Quarterback Clayton Tune went 191 passes without throwing an interception before being picked off by the Tigers' Rodney Owens with 8:47 to play in the third quarter. The 191 passes marked a career long for Tune. It is tied for third in school history with Kevin Kolb (Sept. 9 to Oct. 21, 2006).
- Nathaniel Dell recorded his fifth career 100-yard receiving game and fourth of the season. The wideout caught seven passes for 100 yards.
| A HOUSTON WIN WOULD ... |
- Move Houston to 45-17 in the month of October since 2006 including a 20-9 mark on the road.
- Be Houston's 11th victory in its last 12 conference road openers.
- Be Houston's ninth victory in 10 American Athletic Conference road openers.
- Give Houston a 17-14 lead in the all-time series against Memphis.
- Be Houston's first win at Memphis since Oct. 11, 2014, and mark Houston's first win streak vs. Memphis since 2006-15 (six straight).
TICKETS ON SALE
Houston Athletics is excited to introduce our new "Family Four-Pack" seats that offer a fun and affordable entertainment option for families to come enjoy Houston Cougar Football starting as low as $80 per ticket (based on minimum of 4 tickets on select seating locations). Single-game tickets are also available to Houston's upcoming Homecoming matchup against USF on Saturday, Oct. 29, for as low as $15. For a full list of prices and TDECU Stadium seating map, click here.
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