The No. 16 ranked Tigers have been in the routine of winning football games for more than a year now.
Heading into its contest with the Tulane Green Wave Saturday, Memphis has won 14 consecutive games, and only TCU and Ohio State have longer winning streaks nationally.
Memphis coach Justin Fuente said at his weekly media luncheon Monday he is not overlooking the Tulane and towards the three-game “gauntlet” following its Saturday clash against the Green Wave. He also complimented the Green Wave’s defense.
“Tulane’s defense really took it to our offense at all positions,” said Fuente, whose team defeated Tulane 38-7 in New Orleans last season. Our defense last year played really well. Tulane is a much older and wiser team from last year. I think we will have a great workout this week of practice and we will need great leadership from our guys to for this week’s conference game.”
Arguably the biggest reason behind Memphis’ success in 2015 has been an offense, led by redshirt junior quarterback Paxton Lynch, that is on pace to rewrite the Tiger record books for most yards per game, points per game and wins, among many others. Unsurprisingly, the Tigers (7-0, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) are 32.5-point favorites over its fellow AAC foes the Green Wave (2-5, 1-3 AAC).
Redshirt senior tight end Alan Cross, who has caught three touchdown passes this season, this is the best offense he’s been a part of at any level but there is still room for improvement for an offense that averages more than 47 points per game.
“We can probably run the ball a little bit better,” Cross said. “Last week we did pretty good obviously. We just have to keep that rolling each week. Just execute the gameplan and give Paxton (Lynch) enough time to throw that will open up the running game even more.”
The return of the Tiger running game last week was a welcome sign for Memphis. In addition, the return of the team’s two leading rushers heading into last Friday’s game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Jarvis Cooper and Sam Craft, will help the Tigers’ goal of remaining balanced on offense.
Despite Memphis’ on-and-off problems on defense, the Tiger defense has improved over the course of the season. However, one problem that hasn’t gone away are the penalties. The Tigers have committed 61 penalties for 603 yards through seven games in 2015.
Fuente said he’s not proud of the penalties, but understands that the way the game is officiated today and combined with the offenses of today the Tigers will take some penalties.
“We had too many penalties last game and I am talking about focus penalties - some on our punt team, illegal procedure, and lack of truly being dialed in,” Fuente said.” We have some selfish penalties and we have brought it up to the team and we have to try to get passed them. It will catch up to us if we do not correct in time. It something we continue to work on all the time. I am hopeful and optimistic that we will get it together in time.”
Penalties aside, Lynch said he’s excited to play at the Liberty Bowl Saturday for the first time since Memphis’ big 37-24 victory against then No. 13 Ole Miss two weeks ago.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be a packed stadium like it was last week (against Ole Miss),” Lynch said. It probably won’t be because of the Ole Miss fans proximity to each other. I’m expecting it to be packed and loud.”
The Tigers and Green Wave will clash at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Liberty Bowl. The game will also be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.
Memphis will hope to celebrate its' 15th consecutive win Saturday.
