Tigers Football Preview: Temple

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's on now!

Of course, the "official" start to the 2016 University of Memphis football campaign began just over a month ago. And, yes, the first four games count on the record.

However, Thursday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the "real" season – American Athletic Conference play – kicks off. In conference battles, players play with more passion, and coaches coach with more fire. Indeed, the intensity meter ramps up.

Before an ESPN national television audience, the Tigers begin their quest for the 2016 American Athletic Conference championship with their league opener versus Temple. The Tigers-Owls conference clash starts at 7 p.m. (CT).

"I'm excited about the opportunity we have to play the reigning East Division champion Temple this week," said head coach Mike Norvell. "Temple is a very good football team. We're excited about the atmosphere we're going to have at the Liberty Bowl Thursday. It's going to be a great game.

- Memphis Football Notes
- American Athletic Conference Notes
- Temple Football Notes

*Memphis Football GameDay Program vs. Temple*

"We have a short week to prepare. The Owls are a big-time opponent, and Thursday is a big-time game at the Liberty Bowl."

Tigers fans are encouraged to wear white to Thursday's game. Also, the first 10,000 fans that come through the Liberty Bowl gates Thursday will receive Memphis mini-helmet keepsakes courtesy of Ashley Homestore.

For Memphis, its pursuit of a conference championship is going to be tough with eight-straight league contests and no bye date over the next two months. Norvell, though, believes his team knows what's at stake, beginning with Thursday's game.

"We have a stretch now where we don't leave conference play," Norvell said. "Every week is going to be a big game, every week is going to be a tremendous opponent, and that starts Thursday with Temple.

"There's not going to be a lack of focus when conference play hits. Every game is big. We focus on one step at a time, and Thursday is the next one. Our guys know the level of competition we are facing and also the importance of this step in the season."

Temple is the Tigers' first roadblock on their path to the league's title game. The past two seasons, the Memphis-Temple encounters were hard-hitting affairs, and Norvell expects the same kind of game Thursday.

"Temple is a quality football team," said Norvell. "They're coming off their first conference game last Saturday when they were pretty dominant. Coach (Matt) Rhule does as good a job as any coach in the country. They have talented players that love to play the game with energy and passion.

"The last two years, this game has been a real challenge. Last season, they really took it to us. We know the type of opponent we're facing Thursday, and we look forward to the challenge."

Television: ESPN
Radio: 600 WREC/102.9 FM (Flagship station); 91.7 FM (WUMR/student station)
Internet Video: ESPN3.com
Live Stats: memphis.statbroadcast.com; gotigersgo.com/fblivestats
LiveTweet: @Tigersmedia, @MemphisFB

Tigers Tidbits/Five Notes To Know
• Thursday's game is only the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs, with Temple holding a 2-1 series lead. The Owls won last season's encounter, a 31-12 victory in Philadelphia, Pa. Memphis' lone win in the series was a 16-13 victory in Philadelphia in the 2014 campaign. The only Memphis-Temple match-up played at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium came in 2013, and the Owls posted a 41-21 win in that contest.
• In their short history in the league, the Tigers have a 2-1 record in American Athletic Conference openers. Memphis won its last two conference openers in 2014 and 2015, both victories over Cincinnati. The Tigers, though, are 1-2 in league home openers. Last season, Memphis posted its first conference home-opening victory with a thrilling 53-46 win over Cincinnati at the Liberty Bowl.
• For the fourth-straight season, Memphis opens American Athletic Conference play with a foe from the league's East Division. The Tigers play defending The American East Division champion Temple tonight. Memphis opened league play against UCF in 2013 and Cincinnati in both 2014 and 2015.
• In its three-year history in The American, Memphis has a 13-11 record. The Tigers posted winning league records the past two seasons, going 7-1 in 2014 and 5-3 in 2015. The 2014 Memphis squad won a share of the American Athletic Conference title.
• Senior place-kicker Jake Elliott is nearing the top of the program's all-time scoring chart. Elliott enters Thursday's game against Temple with 361 career points (166 PAT/65 FG). The Western Springs, Ill., native only trails Stephen Gostkowski (369 points) and DeAngelo Williams (362) on that list. Elliott holds the school record for career PAT made (166) and is second in program history with 65 FG made.

Scouting Temple
The Owls bring a 3-2 overall record and a 1-0 American Athletic Conference mark into Thursday's conference match-up. Temple opened its league schedule last Saturday with a 45-20 home victory over SMU.

Temple has a balanced offense that averages 350.2 yards per game (150.4 rush/199.8 pass). Senior QB Phillip Walker directs the Owls offense and is 70-of-127 passing for 970 yards and six touchdowns. WR Keith Kirkwood is Walker's favorite target, hauling in 17 catches for 232 yards and two scores. RB Ryquell Armstead leads the rushing attack with 313 yards on 52 carries and six touchdowns.

The Owls' calling card under head coach Matt Rhule has been defense, and 2016 is no different. Temple is ranked among the nation's top-20 in total defense (16) and rushing defense (6). The stout Owls defense is allowing opponents only 77.8 yards per game on the ground. LB Stephaun Marshall leads the Temple defense with 28 total stops. DL Haason Reddick leads the squad in TFL (7) and sacks (2.5).

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Players Mentioned

Jake Elliott

University of Memphis Athletics