The University of Memphis football team will take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in its American Athletic Conference opener on Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Tigers enter the game at 2-2, looking to bounce back from their 24-3 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels on Sept. 27.
Cincinnati enters the game with a 2-1 record after dropping its first loss of the season to then No. 22 Ohio State, 50-28 on Sept. 27.
Memphis head coach Justin Fuente knows Cincinnati is a good team, but said his team is ready for the challenge.
“Our kids are excited about the challenge ahead,” he said in his weekly press conference. “Obviously, we have a fantastic challenge head of us, going on the road to play at Cincinnati. They're a very talented team who you all picked to win the league, deservedly so. They've got great experience, great depth and great talent.”
Cincinnati ranks ninth in the nation in passing yards, averaging 353 yards per game through the air. This can easily be attributed to sophomore quarterback Gunner Kiel. Kiel has racked up 1041 passing yards and 14 touchdowns through three games.
Memphis’ senior Linebacker Charles Harris said he was excited to open conference play against a tough opponent and believes his team will be ready.
“We are very much looking forward to playing this conference game,” he said. “Cincinnati is a great team and it will be a great challenge for us. Coming off the past game that we had, offensively and defensively, I know that defensively we will have a lot of confidence going into this game and although we know that Cincinnati does have a great offense, our offense will be fired up and ready to get back on the field and show people that they are ready to roll.”
Despite a high-powered offense, the Bearcats have struggled at times on defense. Cincinnati’s defense has given up an average of 39 points per game through three games.
Before last weekend’s loss to Ole Miss, Memphis averaged over 498 yards and 44 points per game through three contests. Memphis will look to recapture that offensive momentum after gaining only 104 total yards against Ole Miss, including only 23 rushing yards on 31 carries.
Fuente said the Tigers have to do the little things right to compete against teams like Ole Miss and Cincinnati.
“What we learned about it is we need to do things the right way every single time through our preparation and through our attention to detail in order to give ourselves a chance,” the third-year coach said. “When you don't do those things and you play against somebody who is talented like that, that's exactly what you get.”
Memphis will be without their leading rusher, sophomore running back Doroland Dorceus, who hurt his knee in Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss. Dorceus has rushed for 237 yards on a team-high of 46 carries. He also leads the team in rushing touchdowns with four on the year.
Memphis will look to senior Brandon Hayes and freshman Jarvis Cooper to fill the void left by Dorceus.
Fuente said he looks to his team’s performances against Ole Miss and UCLA for confidence moving into conference play.
“We have played some fantastic squads; we really have,” he said. “I know they're getting into conference play, the Pac 10 and the Southeastern Conference, but you saw what UCLA did to Arizona State at Arizona State. You saw Ole Miss up close and personal. I think we should gain some confidence knowing that if we do things the right way and take control of our destiny, if we continue to prepare the right way on both sides of the ball in all three phases, have great work ethic and Pay great attention to detail, it will manifest within itself.”
The Tigers and the Bearcats are set to kickoff Saturday evening at 6 p.m. CBS Sports Network plans to broadcast the game nationally.
