The 2015 Memphis Tigers football team has shown, after two consecutive blowout victories, most of the traits a good team possesses. However this week, they will be put to the test against a high-powered Bowling Green Falcons (1-1) squad.
This weekend’s game is the start of an important stretch for the Tigers. After their clash with the Falcons on Saturday, they’ll host fellow co-American Athletic Conference Champion the Cincinnati Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl on Thursday and on Oct. 17, no. 17 ranked Ole Miss will also make a visit to Memphis.
Memphis football coach Justin Fuente said he is aware of the significance of the next few weeks.
"We are going to play a bunch of very good teams in the next several weeks,” the fourth-year coach said. “We have to make sure we are ready and continue to try and drive those points home. Some of the things we've done this past couple of weeks when you start playing the teams we are about to play can manifest itself much bigger ways. We are looking forward preparing for this week and getting our guys ready for the game. I know it will be a great atmosphere up there. It is their (Bowling Green’s) first home game and I can imagine it will be an exciting event."
Falcon fans will be excited to get a look their team’s high-powered offense at home for the first time Saturday, one that is averaging 39 points per game through the first two weeks. Also they have not been scoring these points on their fellow MAC opponents, but on Power Five teams such as the Tennessee Volunteers and the Maryland Terrapins. Falcons quarterback redshirt senior Matt Johnson, who missed all but one game in 2014, has thrown for more than 900 yards and eight touchdowns this season, leads them.
However, for the first time this season, the Tigers (2-0) will have good, solid game film on the opposition.
"We have two good games on them and they have played two really good teams and they were in both games,” Fuente said. “Tennessee is a very talented group so it is good quality film. At least you have the feeling they were doing whatever they could do to try to win the game and they were not out of hand any periods of the game."
Memphis’ offense has put up incredible numbers themselves, though it has obviously been against much weaker competition (Kansas and Missouri State). However, a 59 points per game average shows the Tiger offense is not being complacent. This week, it will probably have to put up a similar number of points if they want to bring a 3-0 start back to the Bluff City.
Star Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, who has completed 81 percent of his passes this season, will have continue his fine work from last weekend’s victory against Kansas. Although the Falcons’ defense is suspect, and Lynch should be given plenty of opportunities to find his many receivers, who are led by redshirt senior Mose Frazier.
"He has continued to work to get better and he has added weight,” said Fuente when asked about Lynch’s development. “You can tell by the way he moves and I think it has helped his delivery. He continues to work on refining his game and understand what we are trying to accomplish out there. So, he is giving us a chance to be more productive out there."
The Tiger running game has also been excellent and will need to ease the burden off of Lynch in this weekend’s contest. Memphis has rushed for 643 yards on 5.3 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns this season. Sophomore running back Jarvis Cooper leads the team with 159 yards on 27 carries.
While many predict a shootout is very much in play this weekend and for the two defenses this week it’ll be more about key stops than shutting down the opposing offense. Nonetheless, Fuente said he doesn’t deal with hypotheticals.
“Hopefully offensively we can score more than they can do,” Fuente said. “What that number is, I do not know. Our defense and staff have taken pride with how our defense is going. I am happy with some aspect of it and not happy with others. We can play better and do things better. We can be more efficient. Yes, in the first two games we scored some points. We won two ball games and we still have plenty of work to do."
Memphis and Bowling Green will clash at 2 p.m. Saturday at Doyt Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN3.com.
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch
