Memphis Tigers vs Arkansas St Preview
Memphis Tigers are 1-1 with an opening loss to Mississippi State on the road. Arkansas State is also 1-1, having lost to a highly ranked Ohio State team 45-12 in Columbus last week. The Memphis Tigers have had to wait until week 3 until their home opener this year. The crowds should be modest but energetic, and the home atmosphere should be rowdy enough at a 6 P.M. start to fire up this young squad.
Memphis Tigers come in hot after a pivotal win
The Tigers overmatched Navy in the victory last week. Seth Henigan and the Tigers featured their passing game late against the Midshipmen. The running game looked sluggish, but the Tigers historically haven’t run well against Navy. The Tigers are starting to develop a multi-faceted running game, with 3 running backs getting multiple running attempts. But Seth Henigan produced gaudy numbers, 415 yards in the air. He was 24-34 with 2 touchdowns and no interceptions – the second straight week with no interceptions. Jaden Ivory was a key receiver, and Joseph Scates announced his arrival with a 79-yard touchdown catch.
Arkansas St brings this resilience and energy to the game.
If you’re even a casual observer of the Memphis Tigers program, you fear this team. Arkansas State always comes out of the chute fast for this Tiger game. It’s not a conference rivalry but it’s a heated regional rivalry, and many of these players have played against each other in high school, and sometimes longer. Though the game wasn’t close, they still produced 223 passing yards against a top team. Arkansas St Red Wolves’ fans should be confident that their passing game will make an impact against the Memphis young pass defense.
Memphis Tigers vs Arkansas St Preview:
all signs point to a Memphis Tigers victory. Arkansas State should put up good offensive passing, but the Tigers defense led by Quindell Johnson should produce a timely turnover or two. And Seth Henigan should really find his groove today. He will dominate as his new weapons find an open spot on the field against a slower Arkansas State team. The unexpected can happen only if the Tigers come in with huge turnovers or a flat defense. There is frankly little chance of this. Memphis should prevail and not be in a tight game late.