Memphis Tigers at ECU Pirates Preview
features two teams coming off conference losses. ECU lost to Tulane to fall to 3-3 for the year, and Memphis lost to Houston (you should read my article about their near-historic loss) to fall to 4-2 for the year. The Memphis Tigers go on the road for the first time in a month, and will have to readjust to not having a home crowd.
Memphis Tigers
are still aching from the kick-in-the-gut loss to Houston. and worse, DB Quindell Johnson is day-to-day. He had an undisclosed injury and didn’t play in the fourth quarter against Houston, and unknown if he returns for the ECU game. He’s been the most reliable defensive player and they could be overmatched if he’s out. Their defense has given up big plays lately, and their defensive ranking has declined as the opponents have gotten more legitimate.
On offense, Seth Henigan (my season preview here) has been finding difficulty lately. However, last week against Houston (while the offense was opened up, at least) he found receivers downfield. Gabriel Rogers had maybe the play of the year on a WR reverse, TD pass to Asa Martin; (highlight at about 6:00 of highlight reel) can he continue that resurgence?
ECU Pirates
Preseason predictions have ECU at about six wins for the season. They will have to jump on Memphis early to do that; for their next games are against BYU, UCF, Cincinatti and Houston. They’ll match the Memphis Tigers urgency. The ECU Pirates are a top-level AAC defense, they are ranked fifth in scoring defense and sacks in the conference. The offense is their powerhouse, though, led by quarterback Holton Ahlers. He’s second in the AAC in passing yards (by only 20 yards), and threw for six touchdowns in a game earlier this year. QB Ahlers is aided in the offensive attack by running back Keaton Mitchell, who’s rushed for 433 yards in six games.
Memphis Tigers at ECU Pirates
(Squad Matchups) The Memphis Tigers offense really unleashed in last Friday night’s nationally-televised matchup against Houston. The defense late collapse covered up a really great offensive game plan. Four reverses were run, and the playbook opened; do the Tigers have something in reserve for ECU? The offensive line has been protecting Seth Henigan better, and he’s making better connections downfield. But ECU brings a defensive front comparable to Mississippi State – and that did not go well.
The ECU offense matches up well to the Memphis defense. Xavier Cullens has had a breakout season, and Wardalis Ducksworth has been solid. But Quindell Johnson, if he indeed misses this game, will be a huge loss for the defense. He is an interception-getter and also a playmaker on defense.
Holton Ahlers compares favorably to Clayton Tune, who Memphis played last week. Tune had a great fourth quarter, passing for over 400 yards total, and beat Memphis in the last minute. This Tigers squad has had down games but has bounced back well after each bad game.
Memphis at ECU Preview
(Coaching Matchup) Memphis Tiger’s coach Ryan Silverfield has been under siege for conservative playcalling, especially late in games. Giving up a 19-point lead in the 4th quarter means tough questions: but he could point out that a 75-yard drive, onside kick recovery, and then a 55 yard drive is really not about playcalling. ECU coach Mike Houston has to coach a team that has had some bad turnovers, inopportune penalties and had their lowest point total since the 2019 season last week. Assuming Memphis has their full roster, and ECU can’t clean up their mistakes, the Memphis Tigers should turn ECU’s losing streak to two games. At most, this is a one touchdown game.
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