Tiger football is well aware the competition level is about to increase significantly.
That starts when they travel to Lawrence, Kansas, to face off against the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12 Saturday. If Memphis defeats Kansas, it will be their first win against a Power Five school since 2004, when they beat Ole Miss 20-13.
Memphis coach Justin Fuente said his defense, which forced six fumbles and held Missouri State to 125 yards of total offense last weekend, will be ready to face a Jayhawks offense that produced 576 yards of total offense and scored 38 points last Saturday. Albeit coming in a 41-38 loss against FCS school South Dakota State. Junior quarterback Montell Cozart and junior running back Ke’aun Kinner lead the Kansas offense.
“We're going to go play an offense that is pedal to the metal every single play,” the fourth year coach said. “They will run it and throw it going as fast as humanly possible. We're going to have to be able to defend that with an athletic quarterback and a very good running back. They're never out of a game and no lead is safe. It's one of those games where you have to be prepared to play the whole game regardless of the circumstance."
The Tigers’ first team offense will probably play more than a quarter and change this week compared to the 63-7 win against Missouri State last Saturday. Redshirt junior quarterback Paxton Lynch completed 8-12 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, one of the easiest days he’s had in a Blue and Gray jersey. Of course, Lynch had an incredible ground attack behind him as the Memphis offense rushed the ball 60 times for 317 yards and five touchdowns.
Fuente said his running back group is talented and that all four of his main running backs whom played Saturday (Sam Craft, Jarvis Cooper, Doroland Dorceus and Jamarius Henderson) each bring something different to the table. It will be interesting to see if all four running backs get carries against a much more talented opponent in the Jayhawks.
“We're trying to continue bring them all along to be more complete players, playing with the ball in their hands or without it in blocking or route running,” Fuente said. “I like the way they've gone about it. The first thing that comes to mind when you have a talented group of guys is who's going to be complaining about who's not getting carries. I don't see that as an issue for them. I see genuine joy when other guys in their room have success. That's a tribute to coach (Darrell) Dickey and the way he handles those guys and a tribute to them and their mindset of trying to do what's best for the team."
Craft said he has high hopes for the Tiger running back group in 2015.
“I mean I think we can be really good, because we do have a combination of a lot of things,” Craft said. “Our players have different aspects to their game, so I think if we can keep going week in and week out and see how everything plans out, but I think we will be pretty good.”
Memphis will take on Kansas 6 p.m. Saturday at Kivisto Field at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. The game will not be on TV, but it can be streamed at ESPN3.com.
Junior running back Sam Craft ran for 72 yards on 12 carries in the 63-7 win over Missouri State Sept. 5.
