Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan (5) is congratulated by huge receiver Javon Ivory (4) after Henigan ran for a landing in opposition to Central Florida within the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. Mark Humphrey, AP
Utah State working again Calvin Tyler Jr. (4) will get previous Hawaii defensive again Peter Manuma (33) throughout the second quarter of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Honolulu. Marco Garcia, AP
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan (5) throughout an NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Tulane received 38-28. Tyler Kaufman, AP
Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) huddles with teammates earlier than a play in opposition to Nebraska throughout the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Rebecca S. Gratz, AP
Utah State (6-6) vs. Memphis (6-6)
Kickoff: Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. MT
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000 capability)
TV: ESPN
Livestream: WatchESPN
Radio: Sirius XM 382 / SXM App 972
Sequence: Utah State trails Memphis within the all-time collection, with a 3-4 document. The groups first met in 1965, and haven’t confronted off since 1977. This would be the second neutral-site recreation within the collection, the earlier one coming in 1967.
The traits
Utah State working again Calvin Tyler Jr. (4) will get previous Hawaii defensive again Peter Manuma (33) throughout the second quarter of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Honolulu.
Marco Garcia, AP
For Utah State: The Aggies are 6-6 total, 5-3 in Mountain West Convention play. The Aggies final performed on Nov. 25, once they fell at Boise State 42-23. USU began the 12 months 1-4 however received 5 of its final seven video games, together with key wins over Air Pressure (10-3) and San Jose State (7-5).
For Memphis: The Tigers are 6-6 on the 12 months, 3-5 in American Athletic Convention play. The Tigers final performed on Nov. 26, once they misplaced at SMU 34-31. Memphis was up-and-down all season, aggressive in all however one recreation however inconsistent with successful. Of the Tigers six losses, 5 got here by 10 factors or much less.
What to look at for
The battle within the the trenches.
Per USU head coach Blake Anderson, the First Responder Bowl can be determined up entrance, alongside the defensive strains.
Each Memphis and Utah State have succesful — and cellular — quarterbacks in Seth Henigan and Cooper Legas, however each offenses have had their biggest success once they’ve been capable of run the ball.
Utah State has senior working again Calvin Tyler Jr., who rushed for 1,043 yards and 7 touchdowns, main the Aggies’ No. 58-ranked dashing offense (161.9 yards per recreation).
Memphis doesn’t have one predominant rusher, as a substitute counting on 5 gamers to hurry for a mixed 1,553 yards and 27 touchdowns.
The Tigers had been truly much less efficient racking up dashing yards than the Aggies (141.9 per recreation) however are glorious at stepping into the tip zone with 28 complete dashing touchdowns, in comparison with 14 for the Aggies.
Utah State’s dashing protection has been hit or miss this season — the Aggies rank 118th within the nation, surrendering 198.2 yards per recreation — whereas Memphis charges significantly greater at No. 25 within the nation, permitting solely 121.8 yards per recreation.
Key participant
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan (5) throughout an NCAA faculty soccer recreation in opposition to Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Tulane received 38-28.
Tyler Kaufman, AP
Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis:
The Tigers aren't missing for talent place gamers. 4 cross catchers recorded 400-plus receiving yards this season — tight finish Caden Prieskorn and huge receivers Javon Ivory, Eddie Lewis and Gabriel Rogers — and if the bar is lowered to 300 or extra yards the numbers jumps to 6.
Memphis additionally had a number of efficient ball carriers, together with Jevyon Ducker (461 yards and 5 touchdowns), Asa Martin (392 yards and 7 touchdowns) and Brandon Thomas (270 yards and 9 touchdowns).
The man who made all of it go, although, was quarterback Seth Henigan.
Henigan was a prolific passer this season, throwing for 3,287 yards and 19 touchdowns, to solely eight interceptions. Henigan additionally proved adept at working the ball, ending third on the workforce with 315 yards and 4 touchdowns.
With Henigan “below middle” the Tigers ranked No. 22 in scoring offense within the FBS and forty first in complete offense.
Quotable
“Now we have an enormous problem. Memphis is a really massive, bodily, run the ball proper at you soccer workforce. At instances this 12 months we now have regarded actually good in that setting and at instances we now have not. Now we have to be extra bodily then them up entrance and deal with the sport.” — Utah State coach Blake Anderson
“Bought nice respect for (Anderson) and what he’s carried out at Utah State. We all know that they will current a problem. We all know that they're solely a 12 months faraway from an 11-win season. They’ve obtained an over 1,000-yard rusher and 9 all-conference-type gamers.” — Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield
Subsequent up
Iowa quarterback Alex Padilla (8) huddles with teammates earlier than a play in opposition to Nebraska throughout the first half of an NCAA faculty soccer recreation Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.
Rebecca S. Gratz, AP
The Utah State Aggies open the 2023-24 faculty soccer season on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 in Iowa Metropolis, Iowa in opposition to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Utah State schedule
Aug. 27 — Utah State 31, UConn 20
Sept. 3 — No. 1 Alabama 55, Utah State 0
Sept. 10 — Weber State 35, Utah State 7
Sept. 17 — BYE
Sept. 24 — UNLV 34, Utah State 24
Sept. 29 — No. 16 BYU 38, Utah State 26
Oct. 8 — Utah State 34, Air Pressure 27
Oct. 15 — Utah State 17, Colorado State 13
Oct. 22 — Wyoming 28, Utah State 14
Oct. 29 — BYE
Nov. 5 — Utah State 27, New Mexico 10
Nov. 12 — Utah State 41, Hawaii 34
Nov. 19 — Utah State 35, San José State 31
Nov. 25 — Boise State 42, Utah State 23
Dec. 27 — Utah State vs. Memphis