Coming off a loss for the first time in more than a year, the University of Memphis football team doesn’t have much time to dwell over its loss to Navy last Saturday.
The No. 25 Tigers (8-1, 4-1 American Athletic Conference) travel to face off against Greg Ward Jr. and the undefeated No. 16 Houston Cougars (9-0, 5-0 AAC) in Memphis’ toughest road test of the season. Before last week’s loss to Navy, Houston was the last team to defeat Memphis in October 2014.
Tigers coach Justin Fuente said, like they had done after their first eight wins, the team had to turn the page and quickly.
“This game just happens to be after a loss,” Fuente said. “I think our kids understand that and understand the challenge in front of us playing Houston at Houston. Very talented football team, explosive offensively and Greg Ward is playing as good as anybody in America. They have good wide receivers and good running backs. It is a good, explosive team combined with a defense that continues to put pressure on quarterbacks. They are good against the run and can give you different looks. We certainly are going to have our work cut out for us to get ready this week. We have to find a way to keep the game close and see if we can pull it off at the end”.
Last week’s game against Navy showed how tough it can be to win game-after-game in college football. The Tigers had won 15 consecutive games in a row dating back to last season, a few of which Fuente admitted were close calls, and was considered a darkhorse for the College Football Playoff. Now, the team is currently on the outside looking in – not for the playoff – of the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship game next month. Though a win against Houston Saturday puts Memphis right back in the picture.
“There is a difference between winning a close game and losing by twenty,” the fourth-year coach said. “I think our guys understand that and I think they are going to do a good job preparing for Houston. I do not think their mindset is going to be an issue. We should be able to focus and get rid of that bad feeling the team has after losing.”
The Tiger offense, which failed to score 30 points for only the second time this season against Navy, should feel more comfortable as the Houston offense will not dominate the time of possession as the Midshipmen did through its triple-option offense. Navy is third in time of possession in the FBS, while Houston is 20th.
Also ball security will be key a factor if Memphis is to overcome the Cougars on Saturday. Lynch and the Tiger offense turned it over five times in its 28-24 defeat to Houston last season.
Lynch said earlier this week he’s happy with the team’s response following the loss and they’ll be ready to go on Saturday.
“I’m proud of the guys and how they’ve handled it (after the loss),” Lynch said. “It was tough on me as well, but the way we came out to work Sunday and their attitudes. I’m excited for this week.”
Houston and Memphis will face off 6 p.m. Saturday night in Houston. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
Memphis will be pumped up to avenge their 28-24 loss to the Houston Cougars last season at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
