Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson throws to a receiver in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy in Annapolis, Md., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
No. 25 UCLA (2-0) at Memphis (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 16 | 9 a.m. PT (Corrected) | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Radio: AM 1150
Scouting report
Memphis is coming off an impromptu bye week as its Week 2 game at Central Florida was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. The Tigers fought through heavy rain against Louisiana-Monroe in their season opener to win 37-29 and piled up 319 total rushing yards.
The Memphis offense returned nine starters, including quarterback Riley Ferguson and receiver Anthony Miller, who broke records in receptions (95), receiving yards (1,434) and touchdowns (14). Head coach Mike Norvell is a former Arizona State offensive coordinator whose offenses averaged 36.5 points per game in four games against the Bruins (2012-15).
The defense ranked 11th out of 12 American Athletic Conference teams in yards allowed in 2016. Defensive coordinator Chris Ball told the Commercial Appeal during the preseason that he simplified the scheme this season as the team has four new defensive backs.
Series history
UCLA won the only other meeting between the two teams. Quarterback Brett Hundley passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns as he led the No. 11 Bruins to a 42-35 game in 2014 at the Rose Bowl. Memphis scored two quick touchdowns to begin the fourth quarter, tying the game on a 17-yard pick six with 13:44 to go, but Hundley threw the game-winning touchdown to Thomas Duarte on the next drive.
Players to watch
— QB Riley Ferguson (10/25, 97 yards)
Playing the season opener in monsoon-like rain from Hurricane Harvey, Ferguson didn’t get to display the arm that threw for 3,698 yards last season, which ranks second in Memphis history.
— RB Darrell Henderson (12 carries, 169 yards, 2 TDs)
UCLA’s rushing defense will be tested by Henderson and fellow sophomore running back Patrick Taylor Jr. as the duo combined for 301 rushing yards against Louisiana-Monroe.
— LB Curtis Akins (9 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 PBUs, 2 forced fumbles)
The middle linebacker had nine solo tackles in his team’s season opener. He took over the starting role last season after an injury, but never relinquished the spot even when Shareef White returned to full health.