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Memphis Tigers
2024 Memphis Tigers football team
First season1912; 112 years ago
Athletic directorEd Scott
Head coachRyan Silverfield
4th season, 22–16 (.579)
StadiumSimmons Bank Liberty Stadium
(capacity: 58,325)
Year built1965
Field surfaceField Turf
LocationMemphis, Tennessee
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Past conferencesMiss. Valley (1928–1934)
SIAA (1935–1942)
Missouri Valley (1968–1972)
C-USA (1996–2012)
All-time record511–526–33 (.493)
Bowl record8–8 (.500)
Conference titles8
(1929, 1930, 1938, 1968, 1969, 1971, 2014, 2019)
Division titles3
(2017, 2018, 2019)
RivalriesArkansas State (rivalry)
Cincinnati (rivalry)
Louisville (rivalry)
Ole Miss (rivalry)
Southern Miss (rivalry)
UAB (rivalry)
ColorsBlue and gray[1]
   
Fight songGo Tigers Go
MascotPouncer
Marching bandMighty Sound of the South
Websitegotigersgo.com

The Memphis Tigers football team represents the University of Memphis in college football in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The Tigers play in the American Athletic Conference as an all-sports member.[2] They play home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The team's head coach is Ryan Silverfield.[3] Since their inaugural season in 1912, the Memphis Tigers have won over 500 games and appeared in seventeen bowl games.

For much of its history, the Memphis Tigers football program was subpar and uninspiring with occasional flashes of moderate success while being overshadowed by the university's more successful men's basketball program.[4] However, in recent years the Tigers football program has shown a marked improvement and has been more successful since the tenure of former head coach Justin Fuente.[5][6] As of May 2024, Memphis has earned bowl eligibility by winning at least six of 12 regular season games every year beginning in 2014 and, consequently, has been invited to a bowl game every year without interruption since 2014,[7][8] they are one of just nine NCAA Division I FBS teams in the country with that distinction.[9] Ten of the program's seventeen bowl appearances have come in that time span. The program has also claimed eight conference championships with the most recent coming in 2019.

History

[edit]
See also: History of Memphis Tigers football
See also: List of Memphis Tigers football seasons

Conference affiliations

[edit]

[citation needed]

  • Independent (1912–1927, 1947–1967, 1973–1995)
  • Mississippi Valley Conference (1928–1934)
  • SIAA (1935–1942)
  • Missouri Valley (1968–1972)
  • Conference USA (1996–2012)
  • American Athletic Conference (2013–present)

Championships

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Conference championships (8)

[edit]
Year Conference Coach Record Conference Record
1929 Mississippi Valley Conference Zach Curlin 8–0–2 n/a
1930 6–3–1 n/a
1938 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Allyn McKeen 10–0 7–0
1968 Missouri Valley Conference Billy J. Murphy 6–4 4–0
1969 8–2 4–0
1971 5–6 2–1
2014† American Athletic Conference Justin Fuente 10–3 7–1
2019 Mike Norvell 12–1 7–1

† Co-champions

Division championships

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Season Division Coach Opponent CG result
2017 AAC West Mike Norvell UCF L 55–622OT
2018† UCF L 41–56
2019† Cincinnati W 29–24

† Co-champions

Bowl games

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The Memphis Tigers have received seventeen bowl invitations in their history and hold a record of 8–8 in bowl games with one cancellation. This includes the 1956 Burley Bowl, which was not an NCAA sanctioned bowl.[10] Memphis went through a 32-year bowl game drought from 1971 to 2003, but has since had a five-year bowl streak (2003–2008) and the current ten-year streak (since 2014). The team made its first appearance in a New Years Six bowl when they were selected to play in the 2019 Cotton Bowl Classic as the highest ranked (AP #15) Group of Five conference champion. The Tigers’ 2023 Liberty Bowl victory was the school's first over a Power 5 opponent.

Season Head Coach Bowl Opponent Result
1956 Ralph Hatley Burley Bowl East Tennessee State W 32–12
1971 Billy J. Murphy Pasadena Bowl San Jose State W 28–9
2003 Tommy West New Orleans Bowl North Texas W 27–17
2004 GMAC Bowl Bowling Green L 35–52
2005 Motor City Bowl Akron W 38–31
2007 New Orleans Bowl Florida Atlantic L 27–44
2008 St. Petersburg Bowl South Florida L 14–41
2014 Justin Fuente Miami Beach Bowl BYU W 55–48
2015 Darrell Dickey (interim) Birmingham Bowl Auburn L 10–31
2016 Mike Norvell Boca Raton Bowl Western Kentucky L 31–51
2017 Liberty Bowl Iowa State L 20–21
2018 Birmingham Bowl Wake Forest L 34–37
2019 Ryan Silverfield Cotton Bowl Classic Penn State L 39–53
2020 Montgomery Bowl Florida Atlantic W 25–10
2021 Hawaii Bowl Hawaii Canceled
2022 First Responder Bowl Utah State W 38–10
2023 Liberty Bowl Iowa State W 36–26

Head coaches

[edit]
Main article: List of Memphis Tigers head football coaches

[11]

Coach Tenure Seasons Record Pct.
Clyde H. Wilson 1912–1915 4 9–12–1 .432
Tom Shea 1916 1 2–3–1 .417
V. M. Campbell 1917, 1919 2 6–6 .500
John Childerson 1918 1 2–4 .333
Elmore George 1920 1 0–5 .000
Rollin Wilson 1921 1 4–5–1 .450
Lester Barnard 1922–1923 2 11–5–3 .658
Zach Curlin 1924–1936 13 43–60–14 .427
Allyn McKeen 1937–1938 2 13–6 .684
Cecil C. Humphreys 1939–1941 3 14–15 .483
Charlie Jamerson 1942 1 2–7 .222
Ralph Hatley 1947–1957 11 59–43–5 .575
Billy J. Murphy 1958–1971 14 91–44–1 .673
Fred Pancoast 1972–1974 3 20–12–1 .621
Richard Williamson 1975–1980 6 31–35 .470
Rex Dockery 1981–1983 3 8–24–1 .258
Rey Dempsey 1984–1985 2 7–12–3 .386
Charlie Bailey 1986–1988 3 12–20–1 .379
Chuck Stobart 1989–1994 6 29–36–1 .447
Rip Scherer 1995–2000 6 22–44 .333
Tommy West 2001–2009 9 49–61 .445
Larry Porter 2010–2011 2 3–21 .125
Justin Fuente 2012–2015 4 26–24 .520
Mike Norvell 2016–2019 4 38–15 .717
Ryan Silverfield 2019–present 4 32-19 .6275

Rivalries

[edit]

Arkansas State

[edit]
Main article: Paint Bucket Bowl

The series with bordering-state rival Arkansas State dates to 1914. Memphis leads 31–24–5 with the last game played on September 17, 2022.[12]

Cincinnati

[edit]
Main article: Cincinnati–Memphis rivalry § Football

The series with Cincinnati dates to 1966. Memphis leads 23–14 with the last game played in 2020.[13]

Louisville

[edit]
Main article: Louisville–Memphis rivalry § Football

The hatred between these two teams runs strong between the Cardinals and Tigers.[14][15] The Tigers' rivalry with bordering-state opponent Louisville dates back to 1948.[16][17] Louisville leads 24–19 with the last game played in 2013.[18] Both teams were at once in the American Athletic Conference Football for 1 year until Louisville joined the Atlantic Coastal Conference in 2014.[19][20] Both teams are better known for their rivalry on the basketball court then on the football field,[21] but both schools share the same hatred between each other in any sport including football.

Ole Miss

[edit]
Main article: Memphis–Ole Miss football rivalry

The Tigers' football rivalry with regional and bordering-state opponent Ole Miss dates to 1921.[17][22] Ole Miss leads 47–12–2 through the 2019 season.[23] Ole Miss is Memphis' oldest football rivalry and is tied with Southern Miss as Memphis' most-played football opponent all-time while Memphis is Ole Miss' most-played football opponent who has never been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).[24][25]

Southern Miss

[edit]
Main article: Black and Blue Bowl

The Memphis Tigers' football rivalry with bordering-state opponent Southern Miss is officially named the Black and Blue Bowl and dates back to 1935.[26] Southern Miss is tied with Ole Miss as Memphis' most-played football opponent all-time.[27] Southern Miss leads the all-time series 40–22–1 with the last game played in 2012.[28] The annual series between the Tigers and Golden Eagles ended after Memphis joined the American Athletic Conference in 2013.[29][30] The rivalry will be renewed in 2027 and 2030 as a nonconference game after more than a decade of dormancy.[31]

UAB

[edit]
Main article: Battle for the Bones

Memphis and bordering-state opponent UAB annually play a football rivalry game called “The Battle of the Bones” where the winning team receives a 100 lb bronze statue of a rack of ribs.[32] This pays homage to both school's cities prominence in BBQ.[33] The rivalry temporarily ended when Memphis moved to the American Athletic Conference after the 2012 season.[34] UAB leads the all-time series 10–5, but Memphis won the last matchup which allowed the Tigers to keep the Bones Trophy.[35] The rivalry was rekindled in 2023 when UAB joined Memphis in the American Athletic Conference.[36]

Facilities

[edit]

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium

[edit]
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of Memphis Tigers football

Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, originally Memphis Memorial Stadium is the site of the annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl, and is the home of the Memphis Tigers football team. It has also been the host of several attempts at professional sports in the city, as well as other local football games and other gatherings. The stadium was originally built as Memphis Memorial Stadium in 1965 for $3 million, as a part of the Mid-South Fairgrounds, then home to one of the South's most popular fairs, but now conducted in neighboring Desoto County, Mississippi. The fairgrounds also included the now-defunct Mid-South Coliseum (formerly the city's major indoor venue) as well as the now-closed Libertyland amusement park, which has been demolished and replaced with a disc golf course. It was dedicated as a memorial to the citizens of Memphis who had served in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The facility was built partially as a way to bring the Liberty Bowl to a permanent home in Memphis (the game had started in Philadelphia, but because of poor attendance as a northern bowl, it left the city, playing one year in Atlantic City before settling in Memphis). The game was such a success for Memphis that the stadium was renamed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 1976. As originally built, the stadium was lopsided, with the southwest side being taller than the northeast side. A 1987 expansion brought it to its current, balanced configuration, although with a much greater hospitality building topping the northeast section.[37] Its design is similar to that of old Tampa Stadium ("The Big Sombrero"), with the endzone grandstands being much shorter than the sidelines. The field, which had been natural grass since its inception, was replaced with a FieldTurf surface before the 2005 season; this was subsequently replaced with the modern version of AstroTurf. The stadium is designed in such a way that all of its seats have a relatively good view of most of the playing surface. This is due primarily to two design factors. The stands are relatively steep for a one-tier, true bowl stadium. Also, there is little space between the side and end lines of the playing surface and the stands. In December 1983, the playing field was renamed Rex Dockery Field in honor of Rex Dockery, a former Memphis Tigers football coach who died in a plane crash.

Traditions

[edit]

The Tiger Walk

[edit]

About two and a half hours prior to kickoff at home games, Tiger fans line up outside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the "Tiger Walk".[38] The tradition involves the Mighty Sound of the South marching band, thousands of fans and the University of Memphis cheer and pom-pom squads.[38] The coaching staff and team arrive at the stadium and walk into the stadium tunnel with the fans and cheerleaders cheering them on to victory.[38] After the team has passed by, the Tiger cheerleaders lead the fans in the "Tiger Spellout", "T-I-G-E-R-S."[38]

Tiger Lane

[edit]

"Tiger Lane" refers to the pre-game tailgating spots for Memphis Tigers football fans.[38] It is equipped with electrical hookups at each spot, trees, grassy areas and all pre-game tailgating activities.[38] Tiger Lane stretches all the way from the parking lot of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to East Parkway in mid-town Memphis.[38]

School colors

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The University of Memphis' official school colors of Blue and Gray were selected in the early 1900s. The colors were chosen in an effort to show unity in a nation that was still recovering from the effects of the Civil War. The student body thought that by picking the colors of the North and the South, the school would show a togetherness among all students.[39]

Retired numbers

[edit]
Main article: List of NCAA football retired numbers

Memphis has retired numbers for seven players in their history. Charles Greenhill only played one season at Memphis, but his number was retired after he died in a plane crash that also took the life of head coach Rex Dockery.[40][41][42]

No. Player Position Tenure Ref.
8 Charles Greenhill DB 1983 [43]
20 DeAngelo Williams RB 2002–2005 [43]
30 Dave Casinelli RB 1960–1963 [43]
59 Danton Barto LB 1990–1993 [43][44]
64 John Bramlett LB 1959–1962 [43]
79 Harry Schuh OL 1962–1964 [43]
83 Isaac Bruce WR 1992–1993 [43]

Memphis Tigers in the NFL Draft

[edit]
Main article: List of Memphis Tigers in the NFL draft

Memphis Tigers awards and honors

[edit]

Pro Football Hall of Fame

College Football Hall of Fame

National Coach of the Year

Lou Groza Award

Ray Guy Award

Paul Warfield Trophy

Jim Brown Award

William V. Campbell Trophy

College Football All-America Team selections

Consensus All-Americans listed in bold

American Athletic Conference Awards

  • 2013 – Tom Hornsey, P – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2014 – Tank Jakes, LB – Defensive Player of the Year
  • 2014 – Jake Elliott, K – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2014 – Justin Fuente – Coach of the Year
  • 2015 – Jake Elliott, K – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2016 – Tony Pollard, KR – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2017 – Tony Pollard, KR – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2017 – T. J. Carter, CB – Rookie of the Year
  • 2019 – Antonio Gibson, KR – Special Teams Player of the Year
  • 2019 – Kenneth Gainwell, RB – Rookie of the Year

Future non-conference opponents

[edit]

Announced schedules as of November 3, 2023.[49]

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031
Bethune-Cookman North Alabama at Georgia State Arkansas State at Arkansas State Arkansas State at Arkansas State Boise State at Boise State
at Arkansas State Troy at Troy at Arkansas Southern Miss at Arkansas at Mississippi State at Southern Miss
Missouri (in St. Louis) at Florida State Arkansas at Boise State at Middle Tennessee Mississippi State
Boise State Middle Tennessee State Chattanooga UT Martin

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The University of Memphis Athletic Brand Standards. April 29, 2022. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "Memphis Is Big East Bound". gotigersgo.com. February 8, 2012. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  3. ^ "Interim head coach Ryan Silverfield isn't coy: He wants the Memphis job". The Daily Memphian.
  4. ^ "College Football: Meet Memphis, 2011's Worst Team". WSJ.
  5. ^ Fortuna, Matt. "Memphis is rising. But for now, its peers are benefiting from realignment". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "'We Fight Like Tigers': 108 Seasons of Memphis Tigers Football". Bluff City Media. September 2023.
  7. ^ "Memphis Football Bowl History". University of Memphis Athletics. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Londergan, Joe (October 28, 2023). "Memphis Clinch Bowl Eligibility For Tenth Consecutive Season". Sports Illustrated G5 Football Daily News, Analysis and More. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  9. ^ "Memphis looks for rare 10-win season and revenge in the Liberty Bowl against Iowa State". USA TODAY.
  10. ^ "Bowl/All Star Game Records" (PDF). NCAA. 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  11. ^ "Memphis Tigers Coaches".
  12. ^ "Winsipedia - Memphis Tigers vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves football series history". Winsipedia.
  13. ^ "Winsipedia – Memphis Tigers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats football series history". Winsipedia.
  14. ^ "Louisville, Memphis renew (sort of) rivalry". ESPN.com. October 10, 2008.
  15. ^ "FROM MY SEAT: Look Who's Flying In: a Louisville Cardinal!". MemphisFlyer.
  16. ^ "Football History". University of Louisville Athletic.
  17. ^ a b "Football History". University of Memphis Athletics.
  18. ^ "Winsipedia – Memphis Tigers vs. Louisville Cardinals football series history". Winsipedia.
  19. ^ Eder, Steve; Sandomir, Richard; Miller, James Andrew (August 25, 2013). "At Louisville, Athletic Boom Is Rooted in ESPN Partnership". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  20. ^ "ACC votes to add Louisville in 2014". ESPN.com. November 28, 2012.
  21. ^ Giannotto, Mark. "For Memphis Tigers basketball, Louisville was the rival it once loved to hate". The Commercial Appeal.
  22. ^ "Football History". Ole Miss Athletics – Hotty Toddy.
  23. ^ "Winsipedia – Memphis Tigers vs. Ole Miss Rebels football series history". Winsipedia.
  24. ^ "Column: Ole Miss-Memphis rivalry is one we should see every season". October 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "The Undefeated". www.memphis.edu.
  26. ^ "Black and Blue Bowl". 247Sports.
  27. ^ "Tigers Football Insider: Memphis rekindles an old series against Southern Miss". dailymemphian.com.
  28. ^ "Winsipedia – Memphis Tigers vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles football series history". Winsipedia.
  29. ^ "CURRENT BIG EAST ENTERS NEW ERA AS 'AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE'". University of Memphis Athletics.
  30. ^ Levinson, Mason (February 8, 2012). "Memphis Joins Big East Conference in All Sports Starting in 2013". www.bloomberg.com.
  31. ^ Barnes, Evan. "Memphis football announces home-and-home series with Southern Miss in 2027, 2030". The Commercial Appeal.
  32. ^ "Battle For the Bones". uabsports.com. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  33. ^ Windsor, Matt. "Smoke 'em if you got 'em: An oral history of barbecue, bones and the baddest trophy in college football". UAB Reporter.
  34. ^ "Work to the Bones: A 26-year rivalry between Memphis and UAB returns". Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian.
  35. ^ "UAB Hosts Memphis in Renewed Battle for the Bones Rivalry". UAB Athletics.
  36. ^ Dudley, Evan (October 19, 2023). "UAB and Memphis 'Battle for the Bones' returns after 10-year absence". al.
  37. ^ "Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium – StadiumDB.com". stadiumdb.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g "University of Memphis Athletics – Tiger Traditions". gotigersgo.com. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  39. ^ "Memphis Tigers Official Athletic Site – Traditions". gotigersgo.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  40. ^ "2009 Memphis Football Media Guide". gotigersgo.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  41. ^ "2017 Memphis Football Digital Media Guide". issuu.com. July 14, 2017.
  42. ^ "Charles Greenhill". sports-reference.com. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
  43. ^ a b c d e f g Tigers to retire number of legendary linebacker on Nov. 19 By Jacob Gallant at Actionnew5.com – Oct. 27, 2022
  44. ^ Former Memphis linebacker Danton Barto dies from COVID-19 complications by Evan Barnes at Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Aug 2021
  45. ^ Megan Rice (February 1, 2020). "Isaac Bruce becomes the first Tiger player selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame". WREG Memphis News Channel 3. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  46. ^ "Allyn McKeen (1991) – Hall of Fame". National Football Foundation. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  47. ^ "NFF Announces Star-Studded 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class". National Football Foundation. January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  48. ^ "NFF Announces Star-Studded 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class". National Football Foundation. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  49. ^ "Memphis Tigers Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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