2021 Memphis Tigers football team
American college football season
The 2021 Memphis Tigers football team represented the University of Memphis in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Tigers played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee , and competed in the American Athletic Conference . They were led by second-year head coach Ryan Silverfield .
The Tigers finished the regular season with a 6–6 record and were due to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl . However, due to a COVID-19 outbreak, season-ending injuries, and transfers, the Rainbow Warriors were forced to withdraw the day before the game, leaving the Tigers without a bowl game.[ 1]
Preseason
The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[ 2] Cincinnati , who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.
Media poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Cincinnati
262 (22)
2
UCF
241 (2)
3
SMU
188
4
Houston
181
5
Memphis
168
6
Tulsa
153
7
Tulane
132
т-8
East Carolina
85
т-8
Navy
85
10
Temple
46
11
South Florida
43
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 4 6:00 p.m. No. 22 (FCS ) Nicholls * ESPN+ W 42–1730,263
September 11 6:00 p.m. at Arkansas State * ESPN+ W 55–5019,501
September 18 3:00 p.m. Mississippi State * Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPN2 W 31–2943,461
September 25 2:30 p.m. UTSA * Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPNU L 28–3129,264
October 2 11:00 a.m. at Temple ESPNU L 31–3428,573
October 9 8:00 p.m. at Tulsa ESPN2 L 29–3517,593
6:30 p.m. Navy Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPN W 35–1730,042
6:00 p.m. at UCF ESPN2 L 7–2439,328
November 6 11:00 a.m. SMU Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPNU W 28–2530,191
November 13 11:00 a.m. East Carolina Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPN+ L 29–30 OT 28,431
8:00 p.m. at No. 24 Houston ESPN2 L 13–3128,712
November 27 6:30 p.m. Tulane Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN ESPNU W 33–2827,416
8:00 p.m. at Hawaii * ESPN Canceled A _
^ Hawaii was forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 and other related issues within the team. The game was canceled shortly after.[ 3]
[ 4]
Game summaries
Nicholls
Nicholls at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
No. 22 (FCS ) Colonels
7
0 7 3
17
• Tigers
10
19 6 7
42
Scoring summary 1 09:13 NICH K.J. Franklin 10-yard pass from Lindsey Scott Jr. (Gavin Lasseigne kick)(11 plays, 75 yards, 5:47) NICH 7–0
06:11 MEM Joe Doyle 26-yard field goal(10 plays, 57 yards, 2:56) NICH 7–3
01:38 MEM Rodrigues Clark 13-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(12 plays, 72 yards, 3:45) MEM 7–10
2 12:29 MEM Brandon Thomas 10-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 69 yards, 1:32) MEM 7–17
07:19 MEM Joe Doyle 33-yard field goal(10 plays, 60 yards, 3:27) MEM 7–20
02:15 MEM Marquavius Weaver 1-yard rush (two-point conversion rush attempt failed)(8 plays, 78 yards, 2:17) MEM 7–26
00:13 MEM Joe Doyle 24-yard field goal(11 plays, 54 yards, 1:31) MEM 7–29
3 11:46 MEM Joe Doyle 38-yard field goal(8 plays, 54 yards, 3:11) MEM 7–32
06:54 NICH Lindsey Scott Jr. 5-yard rush (Gavin Lasseigne kick)(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:47) MEM 14–32
03:41 MEM Joe Doyle 25-yard field goal(8 plays, 61 yards, 3:05) MEM 14–35
4 12:53 MEM Calvin Austin III 11-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:20) MEM 14–42
09:20 NICH Gavin Lasseigne 35-yard field goal(9 plays, 56 yards, 3:33) MEM 17–42
Pregame line
Over/under
MEM –22.5
68
Statistics
Nicholls
Memphis
First downs
17
32
Total yards
299
587
Rushing yards
100
322
Passing yards
199
265
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
28:45
31:15
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nicholls
Passing
Lindsey Scott Jr.
17/30, 194 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Julien Gums
13 carries, 48 yards
Receiving
Dai'Jean Dixon
7 receptions, 107 yards
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
19/32, 265 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Brandon Thomas
16 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Javon Ivory
5 receptions, 106 yards
At Arkansas State
Memphis at Arkansas State
1
2 3 4 Total
• Tigers
20
14 7 14
55
Red Wolves
10
13 7 20
50
Date: September 11, 2021Location: Centennial Bank Stadium Jonesboro, AR Game start: 6:05 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 47 minutesGame attendance: 19,501Game weather: 86 °F (30 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 10 MPH Referee: Luke RichmondTV announcers (ESPN+ ): Brad Bobo (play–by–play), Pete Cordelli (analyst), and Cori Keller (sideline reporter)
Scoring summary 1 13:20 MEM Calvin Austin III 55-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(6 plays, 75 yards, 1:40) MEM 7–0
06:11 MEM Sean Dykes 17-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle PAT failed)(12 plays, 92 yards, 3:10) MEM 13–0
04:30 ARST Te'Vailance Hunt 53-yard pass from Layne Hatcher (Blake Grupe kick)(4 plays, 68 yards, 1:34) MEM 13–7
04:05 MEM Brandon Thomas 70-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(2 plays, 75 yards, 0:25) MEM 20–7
02:02 ARST Blake Grupe 48-yard field goal(4 plays, 1 yard, 1:19) MEM 20–10
2 07:48 ARST Blake Grupe 37-yard field goal(6 plays, 17 yards, 3:03) MEM 20–13
05:09 MEM Sean Dykes 40-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(1 play, 45 yards, 0:14) MEM 27–13
01:30 ARST Layne Hatcher 12-yard rush (Blake Grupe kick)(10 plays, 75 yards, 3:39) MEM 27–20
01:20 MEM Brandon Thomas 75-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(1 play, 75 yards, 0:06) MEM 34–20
00:00 ARST Blake Grupe 34-yard field goal(10 plays, 60 yards, 1:15) MEM 34–23
3 08:43 MEM Calvin Austin III 50-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(4 plays, 63 yards, 1:19) MEM 41–23
01:09 ARST Corey Rucker 23-yard pass from James Blackman (Blake Grupe kick)(4 plays, 79 yards, 1:23) MEM 41–30
4 11:47 MEM Marquavius Weaver 4-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(11 plays, 72 yards, 4:13) MEM 48–30
10:54 ARST Jeff Foreman 89-yard pass from James Blackman (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)(2 plays, 91 yards, 0:47) MEM 48–36
10:39 MEM Calvin Austin III 75-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(2 plays, 75 yards, 0:15) MEM 55–36
05:01 ARST Adam Jones 1-yard pass from James Blackman (Blake Grupe kick)(15 plays, 73 yards, 5:47) MEM 55–43
01:52 ARST Akeem Hayes 5-yard pass James Blackman (Blake Grupe kick)(10 plays, 87 yards, 1:56) MEM 55–50
Pregame line
Over/under
MEM –5.5
65
Statistics
Memphis
Arkansas State
First downs
24
35
Total yards
680
680
Rushing yards
263
98
Passing yards
417
582
Turnovers
2
0
Time of possession
24:04
35:56
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
22/33, 417 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing
Brandon Thomas
18 carries, 191 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving
Calvin Austin
6 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TDs
Arkansas State
Passing
James Blackman
19/28, 306 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing
Lincoln Pare
6 carries, 36 yards
Receiving
Jeff Foreman
8 receptions, 198 yards, 1 TD
Mississippi State
Mississippi State at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs
3
14 0 12
29
• Tigers
7
0 7 17
31
Scoring summary 1 12:02 MEM Sanchez Blake Jr. 49-yard fumble returned (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 21 yards, 2:58) MEM 7–0
03:20 MSST Nolan McCord 39-yard field goal(17 plays, 54 yards, 8:42) MEM 7–3
2 09:58 MSST Dillon Johnson 3-yard rush (Nolan McCord kick)(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:28) MSST 10–7
05:07 MSST Jaden Walley 6-yard pass from Will Rogers (Nolan McCord kick)(9 plays, 81 yards, 3:41) MSST 17–7
3 06:20 MEM Calvin Austin III 21-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(12 plays, 98 yards, 4:59) MSST 17–14
4 07:48 MEM Calvin Austin III 25-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(4 plays, 36 yards, 1:18) MEM 21–17
05:36 MEM Calvin Austin III 94-yard punt return (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 22 yards, 2:12) MEM 28–17
03:03 MSST Malik Heath 9-yard pass from Will Rogers (two-point pass conversion attempt failed)(6 plays, 57 yards, 2:33) MEM 28–23
02:02 MEM Joe Doyle 51-yard field goal(4 plays, 4 yards, 1:01) MEM 31–23
01:32 MSST Makai Polk 36-yard pass from Will Rogers(2 plays, 65 yards, 0:30) MEM 31–29
Pregame line
Over/under
MSST –3.0
64
Statistics
Mississippi State
Memphis
First downs
26
12
Total yards
468
246
Rushing yards
49
87
Passing yards
419
159
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
37:30
32:13
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Mississippi State
Passing
Will Rogers
50/67, 419 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
Dillon Johnson
7 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Makai Polk
11 receptions, 136 yards, 1 TD
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
16/28, 159 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Brandon Thomas
16 carries, 83 yards
Receiving
Calvin Austin
9 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TDs
UTSA
UTSA at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
• Roadrunners
0
7 7 17
31
RV Tigers
21
0 7 0
28
Scoring summary 1 13:24 MEM Wardalis Ducksworth 0-yard fumble returned (Joe Doyle kick)(1 play, -28 yards, 0:22) MEM 7–0
09:23 MEM Rodriguez Clark 7-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(8 plays, 62 yards, 3:20) MEM 14–0
06:22 MEM Calvin Austin III 60-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 81 yards, 1:32) MEM 21–0
2 09:54 UTSA Sincere McCormick 12-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)(12 plays, 87 yards, 4:56) MEM 21–7
3 05:25 UTSA Sincere McCormick 8-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)(11 plays, 66 yards, 3:19) MEM 21–14
02:44 MEM Brandon Thomas 1-yard rush (Joe Doyle kick)(7 plays, 73 yards, 2:36) MEM 28–14
4 13:35 UTSA Zakhari Franklin 7-yard pass from Frank Harris (Hunter Duplessis kick)(9 plays, 75 yards, 4:09) MEM 28–21
10:30 UTSA Sincere McCormick 1-yard rush (Hunter Duplessis kick)(4 plays, 7 yards, 1:32) TIE 28–28
00:00 UTSA Hunter Duplessis 42-yard field goal(9 plays, 47 yards, 2:46) UTSA 31–28
Pregame line
Over/under
MEM –3.0
67
Statistics
UTSA
Memphis
First downs
25
16
Total yards
399
407
Rushing yards
205
78
Passing yards
194
329
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
35:42
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UTSA
Passing
Frank Harris
18/28, 186 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Sincere McCormick
42 carries, 184 yards, 3 TD
Receiving
Joshua Cephus
6 receptions, 82 yards
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
15/25, 329 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Brandon Thomas
20 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Sean Dykes
6 receptions, 167 yards
At Temple
Memphis at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
Tigers
3
14 6 8
31
• Owls
0
17 7 10
34
Date: October 2, 2021Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutesGame attendance: 28,573Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 12 MPH Referee: Hank JohnsTV announcers (ESPNU ):
Statistics
Memphis
Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
At Tulsa
Memphis at Tulsa
1
2 3 4 Total
Tigers
0
13 0 16
29
• Golden Hurricane
7
7 7 14
35
Statistics
Memphis
Tulsa
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tulsa
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Navy
Navy at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
Midshipmen
7
3 7 0
17
• Tigers
14
14 7 0
35
Date: October 14, 2021Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: 6:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3 hoursGame attendance: 30,042Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 8 MPHReferee: Edwin LeeTV announcers (ESPN ): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) & Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
Scoring summary 1 12:10 MEM Sean Dykes 3-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:50) MEM 7–0
0:20 NAVY James Harris II 2-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)(21 plays, 75 yards, 11:50) TIE 7–7
0:00 MEM Calvin Austin III 69-yard run (Joe Doyle kick)(1 play, 69 yards, 0:20) MEM 14–7
2 8:21 NAVY Bijan Nichols 36-yard field goal(5 plays, 6 yards, 2:11) MEM 14–10
7:30 MEM Eddie Lewis 74-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(3 plays, 86 yards, 0:51) MEM 21–10
0:40 MEM Brandon Thomas 3-yard run (Joe Doyle kick)(12 plays, 63 yards, 4:21) MEM 28–10
3 8:09 NAVY Mychal Copper 21-yard pass from Tai Lavatai (Bijan Nichols kick)(14 plays, 75 yards, 6:51) MEM 28–17
6:07 MEM Marquavius Weaver 4-yard run (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 72 yards, 2:02) MEM 35–17
4 No scoring plays
Pregame line
Over/Under
MEMPHIS –11.0
56
Statistics
Navy
Memphis
First downs
17
15
Total yards
241
415
Rushing yards
198
200
Passing yards
43
215
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
39:19
20:41
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Navy
Passing
Tai Lavatai
3/4, 27 yards, TD
Rushing
Isaac Ruoss
18 carries, 75 yards
Receiving
Mychal Copper
1 reception, 21 yards, TD
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
8/12, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Calvin Austin III
1 carry, 69 yards, TD
Receiving
Eddie Lewis
3 receptions, 92 yards, TD
At UCF
Memphis at Central Florida
1
2 3 4 Total
Tigers
0
7 0 0
7
• Knights
14
0 7 3
24
Date: October 22, 2021Location: Bounce House Orlando, FL Game start: 6:00 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: Game attendance: Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBDReferee: TV announcers (ESPN2):
Statistics
Memphis
UCF
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UCF
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SMU
Southern Methodist at Memphis
1
2 3 4 Total
Mustangs
0
10 0 15
25
• Tigers
0
7 14 7
28
Date: November 6, 2021Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: 11:00 a.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:14Game attendance: 30,191Game weather: Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 0 MPH Referee: Luke RichmondTV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
Scoring summary 2 1:57 SMU Danny Gray 48-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Blake Mazza kick)(6 plays, 80 yards, 2:25) SMU 7–0
0:16 MEM Eddie Lewis 2-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 1:41) TIE 7–7
0:00 SMU Blake Mazza 47-yard field goal(2 plays, 26 yards, 0:00) SMU 10–7
3 8:47 MEM Asa Martin 1-yard run (Joe Doyle kick)(5 plays, 41 yards, 2:33) MEM 14–10
2:41 MEM Javon Ivory 27-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(11 plays, 90 yards, 2:53) MEM 21–10
4 11:01 MEM Sean Dykes 40-yard pass from Seth Henigan (Joe Doyle kick)(9 plays, 71 yards, 5:15) MEM 28–10
8:36 SMU Danny Gray 27-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Tanner Mordecai pass to Rashee Rice)(8 plays, 66 yards, 2:18) MEM 28–18
5:53 SMU Tyler Levine 1-yard run (Blake Mazza kick)(5 plays, 32 yards, 1:19) MEM 28–25
Pregame line
Over/under
SMU –3.5
72
Statistics
SMU
Memphis
First downs
16
25
Total yards
323
468
Rushing yards
61
36
Passing yards
262
432
Turnovers
3
1
Time of possession
23:05
36:55
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SMU
Passing
Tanner Mordecai
19/28, 262 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Tre Siggers
12 rushes, 53 yards
Receiving
Danny Gray
4 receptions, 98 yards, 2 TD
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
34/53, 392 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing
Marquavius Weaver
10 rushes, 17 yards
Receiving
Calvin Austin
8 receptions, 88 yards
East Carolina
East Carolina at Memphis
1
2 Total
Pirates
0
Tigers
0
Date: November 13, 2021Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: TBD CST Elapsed time: Game attendance: Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBDReferee: TV announcers (ESPN+): Richard Cross, Brandon Weeden
Statistics
East Carolina
Memphis
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
East Carolina
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
At No. 24 Houston
Memphis at Houston
1
2 3 4 Total
Tigers
0
3 7 3
13
• No. 24 Cougars
0
21 0 10
31
Date: November 19, 2021Location: TDECU Stadium Houston, TX Game start: 8:00 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 40 minutesGame attendance: 28,712Game weather: • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SE 4 MPHReferee: Hank JohnsTV announcers (ESPN2): Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Andre Ware (analyst) and Paul Carcaterra (sideline)
Scoring summary 2 14:03 HOU Alton McCaskill 36-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(1 play, 36 yards, 0:15) HOU 7–0
5:40 HOU Tank Dell 19-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(11 plays, 93 yards, 4:36) HOU 14–0
2:55 MEM David Kemp 28-yard field goal(9 plays, 65 yards, 2:45) HOU 14–3
0:53 HOU Clayton Tune 20-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(6 plays, 63 yards, 2:02) HOU 21–3
3 4:31 MEM Asa Martin 5-yard pass from Seth Henigan (David Kemp kick)(11 plays, 60 yards, 4:16) HOU 21–10
4 14:52 MEM David Kemp 22-yard field goal(8 plays, 86 yards, 2:30) HOU 21–13
3:24 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 34-yard field goal(5 plays, 29 yards, 2:15) HOU 24–13
1:43 HOU Ta'Zhawn Henry 4-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(3 plays, 18 yards, 0:52) HOU 31–13
Pregame line
Over/under
HOU –9.5
59
Statistics
Memphis
Houston
First downs
24
25
Total yards
322
461
Rushing yards
106
197
Passing yards
216
264
Turnovers
2
2
Time of possession
25:34
34:26
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Seth Henigan
21/45, 208 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Rodrigues Clark
12 rushes, 32 yards
Receiving
Calvin Austin
5 receptions, 103 yards
Houston
Passing
Clayton Tune
20/34, 264 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing
Ta'Zhawn Henry
13 rushes, 73 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Tank Dell
7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
Tulane
Tulane at Memphis
1
2 Total
Green Wave
0
Tigers
0
Date: November 27, 2021Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN Game start: TBD CST Elapsed time: Game attendance: Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBDReferee: TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene, Jay Walker
Statistics
Tulane
Memphis
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tulane
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP — — — — RV — — — — — — — — — — Coaches — — RV RV RV — — — — — — — — — — CFP Not released — — — — — — Not released
References
Venues Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons