NAVY FIRST LOOK: MEMPHIS

First look Navy Memphis

The Navy Midshipmen visit Memphis on Saturday. Here is your first look at the Tigers.

SEASON SO FAR (4-1, 2-0 AAC)

Date Opponent Score
08/31/2017 La.-Monroe W 37-29
09/16/2017 UCLA W 48-45
09/23/2017 Southern Ill. W 44-31
09/30/2017 at UCF L 40-13
10/06/2017 at UConn W 70-31

STAT COMPARISON (4-1, 1-1 AAC)

NAVY PPG 37.2 35.2 MEM DEF PPG
NAVY TOTAL OFF 508.4 506.2 MEM TOTAL DEF
NAVY PASSING OFF 94.2 319.0 MEM PASSING DEF
NAVY RUSHING OFF 414.2 187.2 MEM RUSHING DEF
MEM PPG 42.4 27.6 NAVY DEF PPG
MEM TOTAL OFF 509.4 398.4 NAVY TOTAL DEF
MEM PASSING OFF 316.8 226.8 NAVY PASSING DEF
MEM RUSHING OFF 192.6 171.6 NAVY RUSHING DEF
NAVY TO MARGIN -0.20 0.60 MEM TO MARGIN

INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS

Date Pos Player Injury Status
10/08/17 LB Curtis Akins Undisclosed ? Saturday vs. Navy
10/08/17 RB Patrick Taylor Jr. Undisclosed ? Saturday vs. Navy
10/08/17 WR Roderick Proctor Undisclosed ? Saturday vs. Navy
10/08/17 DB Tim Gordon Undisclosed ? Saturday vs. Navy
09/29/17 DB Shaun Rupert Dismissed out for season
09/07/17 LB Darian Porter Undisclosed out for season
09/06/17 LB Jackson Dillon Head out for season
09/05/17 DL Jared Gentry Leg out for season
08/14/17 WR Sam Craft ACL out for season

Source: donbest.com

CHALLENGES

This will be the Mids toughest game so far this season. The Tigers average over 500 yards a game on offense but on the flip side, they are allowing over 500 a game on defense. This is a game were Navy needs to execute their option offense to perfection and avoid turnovers. Memphis has feasted on turnovers this season so Navy needs to avoid providing those to the Tigers. Memphis does have several players that are questionable so that may be an advantage to the Mids. If Navy can run the option effectively early and move the ball, they should stick with that for as long as possible. Long, sustained drives are needed that keep the ball out of the Tigers’ playmaker’s hands and suffocate their offense by keeping them on the sideline. This is like a pick’em type of game and will be well worth the watch by any football fan.

Saturday’s game in Memphis kicks off at 3:45 ET and can be seen on ESPNU.