Undefeated Tigers will try to sink Navy tonight

Memphis could make waves in national rankings with win

news@theeveningtimes.com

The Memphis Tigers (3-0) enter conference play tonight and a victory could land them in the Top 25 poll. The Tigers were ranked 26th in the Coach’s Poll and 30th in the AP Top 25 Poll. But to do so they have to get past an undefeated Navy (2-0) team who have given them fits in the past.

This is the fifth time Memphis has faced Navy and the third time the two teams have played at Liberty Bowl. Memphis has gone 30-5 at home since 2014, but the Midshipmen is one of only five teams to beat Memphis during that run.

The Tigers lost a close one last year on the road to Navy 22-21 and Navy holds a 3-1 edge against Memphis in the matchups.

The Tigers beat Navy at Liberty Bowl the last time they played each other 3027 on Oct. 14, 2017.

Both teams had a week off to prepare, but Coach Mike Norvell said game planning against Navy is always a challenge. Memphis has struggled to slow down the Navy’s triple option offense and relentless ground attack in the past.

“This is a matchup of two very good football teams,” Norvell said in his weekly press conference. “It’s one that every year has been a very competitive game.”

The Midshipmen will face a much improved Memphis defense under first-year defensive coordinator Adam Fuller and are coming off two wins against teams who run an option offense – Southern and South Alabama. The Tigers defense is ranked No. 3 nationally and has yet to allow a 100-yard game rusher.

Memphis limited South Alabama to 101 yards on the ground.

Last year, Memphis took a lead into the fourth quarter and held Navy to 264 rushing yards, but 98 of those yards came in the fourth where the Midshipmen held onto the football for over 11 minutes.

“We were undisciplined on some things and obviously it cost us,” Norvell said. “The year before we were able to be more disciplined when we were here last against them at Liberty Bowl and we played a quality and competitive game. If we go out and play a disciplined brand of football and play the way we are expected to, we’re going to make ourselves very competitive.”

Norvell said it is very hard to simulate the speed that Navy brings to the game and what they can do both offensively and defensively. The defense will have its hands full trying to contain Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry. Last year, Perry ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 156 yards and had four touchdowns in Navy’s 42-10 win against East Carolina on Sept. 14.

“He is one of the best athletes in the country,” Norvell said. “He plays on an offense where the ball starts in his hands each hand every play. He is a threat not only in what he does in all the option games, I think the area he has improved most is how he has thrown the football. I think he is 11 of 16 throwing the football this year. Even when they go to throw the football, if you do not account for him, he will make you pay.

Two of the big plays from last year were from scrambles. We had him in the right position, our guys in the right area, but we weren’t able to finish getting him down. So he is extremely challenging.”

The Tigers will also face one of the best defenses in the country. The Midshipmen are 6th in FBS allowing only 226.5 yards per game and are tied for 5th on third down conversions allowing opponents to convert on just 20 percent of third down attempts.

“It is one of the best in the country statistically,” Norvell said. “I know they have only played two games, but they have been completely dominant in two games. They are extremely aggressive.

They’re bringing pressure from all over on multiple fronts. This is a team that plays the game right and show you a lot of different looks.”

The Tigers offense is averaging 37.3 points per game. Quarterback Bracy White is completing 70 percent of his passes.

On the ground, Kenneth Gainwell leads the ACC with 102.3 rushing yards per game.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN.

“I’m excited,” Norvell said. “We have played really good lately. It’s a chance to be on national television at Liberty Bowl. I know our guys are excited. And we get to showcase Memphis. I want it to be a great crowd and a great atmosphere to really give us a home field advantage, which is really needed.”