For the second week in a row, Memphis will face off against a first year coach when they play the Kansas Jayhawks Saturday in their first road game of the season.
Following the 63-7 demolition of Missouri State last weekend, Memphis coach Justin Fuente addressed the media at his weekly media luncheon at the University of Memphis Monday.
Fuente said Kansas, who are led by new coach David Beaty, will provide a challenge. The Jayhawks had 576 yards of total offense last weekend. Junior quarterback Montell Cozart threw for 291 yards and rushed for 96 more. He also said junior running back Ke’aun Kinner – who rushed for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the loss – looked extremely quick on film.
“(Also) defensively they turned it around in the second half and held South Dakota State to 10 points," he said. "So obviously they made some adjustments and did some things to give themselves a chance to win the game. On top of all of that, they also returned a kick 91 yards for a touchdown. All three phases of our team will be tested this week in order to try to go on the road and win the ballgame."
Kansas fell to South Dakota State, an FCS team, 41-38 Saturday at home. This weekend’s game against the Jayhawks provides Memphis their best chance of beating a Power 5 team since 2004 – when Memphis defeated Ole Miss.
After looking at the film, the Tiger defense – which played their first game without eight key starters from last season’s 10-3 team Saturday – looked fine, according to Fuente.
“From what I saw it looked like they met the challenge,” said Fuente about a defense that gave up 125 yards of offense and forced six fumbles and recovered three in Saturday’s win.
Memphis’ offense also passed their first test, particularly on the ground. The five Tiger running backs whom played Saturday combined for 55 rushes, 282 yards and five touchdowns.
"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," Fuente said. "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.”
True freshman center Drew Kyser, who made his collegiate debut in last week's win, also had an impressive showing along with the rest of the offensive line. Fuente said his performance throughout the offseason made it difficult to stick with his original plan to redshirt Kyser.
"It just became apparent that wasn’t going to happen and then it became apparent that he was going to start," Fuente said. "He’s highly intelligent and this is very important to him. He’s a tough, hard-nosed kid and obviously he’s not going to be perfect but I think he’s got a bright future.”
Other notes
--Memphis received one vote in the Coaches’ Poll Tuesday. The Tigers finished no. 25 in the Coaches Poll last season.
-- After becoming the first Tiger to return a punt return for a touchdown since 2004, wide receiver Roderick Proctor was named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Monday.
--The University of Memphis also announced Monday they sold 7,186 tickets of the 10,000-allotted $5 Kroger tickets for their home opener against Missouri State Saturday. Along with Ole Miss and Mississippi State, Memphis will have helped generate 57,488 meals to help fight hunger through the Mid-South bank.
Memphis football coach Justin Fuente and the Tigers walking off the field after they defeated Missouri 63-7 last weekend.
