Frisco Bowl
Memphis Tigers (10-2) vs West Virginia Mountaineers (6-6)
9 p.m. | ESPN
Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas
INSIDE THE SERIES
• Saturday’s game between Memphis and West Virginia will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs. • Memphis will march up with a Big 12 opponent in its bowl game for the second-straight season after defeating Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl a season ago.
Memphis Tigers Notes
SETTING THE SCENE
• The 2024 season was a historic one for the Tigers as they became just the sixth team in program history to win 10 games (2023, 2019, 2017, 2014, 1938) and secured back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in 109 years of football. • This year’s team also became just the 11th in program history to win nine or more games in a season. • Following the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl eligible for the 11th-consecutive season, the longest stretch of any non-Power 4 team in the country. • It took the Tigers only seven games to reach bowl eligibility, matching the fastest marks set in 2017 & 2019 to do so in the last decade. • Memphis is one of just seven teams in FBS with 11 or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Iowa. • The win over Florida State in Tallahassee was the first for the Tigers over a power conference opponent on the road since taking down Kansas in 2015. The defense was lights out all day, holding the Seminoles to a season-low 238 total yards with 4.0 sacks and three forced turnovers. Memphis’ 12 tackles for loss in the win over Florida State were the most for the Tigers in a game since 2018 vs. SMU. • At Navy, Mario Anderson Jr. (117 yards, 3 TD) and Brandon Thomas (125 yards, 1 TD) became the first pair of Tigers to rush for over 100 yards in the same game since 2019 vs. SMU (Gainwell, Watkins). Wide receivers Koby Drake (102 yards) and Roc Taylor (100 yards) joined them in going over the century mark to make it the first time since December 2, 2017, at UCF that Memphis had a pair of 100-yard rushers and a pair of 100-yard receivers. • Anderson Jr. tied a program record with four rushing touchdowns in the 52-44 win over North Texas, totaling 210 yards on the day (22 rush. 183 yards, 5 rec. 27 yards). It marked the fourth 100-yard effort by Anderson Jr. this season. He was named to the AAC’S Weekly Honor Roll for his performance – his second time earning weekly honors from the conference this season. • Senior quarterback Seth Henigan passed Brady White and became the winningest signal caller in program history, completing 24-of-38 passes for 319 yards and a touchdown, adding another touchdown on the ground in the win over North Texas. • In the Senior Day win over UAB, Henigan shined with four passing touchdowns and 299 yards through the air on 23- of-34 passing. The four passing scores for Henigan gave him 100 for his career and made him one of three active FBS quarterbacks to reach that milestone (Dillon Gabriel; Oregon, Will Rogers; Washington). • In the win at No. 17 Tulane, Henigan became the AAC’s all-time passing leader when he found fifth-year wide receiver Koby Drake over the middle for a six-yard gain to surpass Holten Ahlers (East Carolina) for the most passing yards by a quarterback in AAC history. • Heading into the Frisco Bowl vs. West Virginia, Henigan sits in second place all-time on The American’s all-time passing TD chart (102) needing three TD passes to break Holton Ahlers’ record (104). • The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 39-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. • Dating back to last year’s win at UAB, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 15 of its last 19 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 32 takeaways (18 INT, 17 FR). • Memphis has posted 98 victories since 2014, tied for 12th-most in the nation during that stretch. • The Tigers also rank 14th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 98-43 (.695) mark. • The 98 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span. • Memphis (63) has the fourth-most home wins in the country since 2014, trailing only Alabama (71), Clemson (70) and Ohio State (68). The Tigers’ .840 winning percentage is No. 9 in the country over that stretch. • The Tigers were picked to win The American in the preseason media poll (409 points), receiving 23 of 30 possible first-place votes. Picked to finish runner up was UTSA with 368 points and four first-place votes. The Tulane Green Wave were tabbed third in the preseason poll with 362 points and a pair of first-place votes. South Florida was picked to finish fourth with 339 points while AAC-newcomer Army received a first-place vote and 236 total points to round out the top five. • The Tigers returned 69% of their total production from 2023 (No. 26 in FBS) including 74% of offensive production (No. 29 in FBS) and 65% of defensive production (No. 45 in FBS).
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
• The West Virginia Mountaineers enter the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl with a 6-6 (5-4 Big 12) record. WVU became bowl eligible after a 31-21 victory against UCF on Nov. 23. • WVU’s most recent performance was a 52-15 loss to Texas Tech in its season finale. The Mountaineers gave up 39 unanswered points to the Red Raiders. • The Green Wave rank highly in a slew of statistical categories and lead the country with six defensive touchdowns. • The Mountaineers have played a clean game this season, ranking 8th nationally in fewest penalties (52) and 4th in fewest penalty yards (406). • WVU has given up an average of 268.9 passing yards per game and have a passing defense efficiency of 158.13, with both marks ranking as the ninth worst at the FBS level. Additionally, the Mountaineers allow opponents to have a 49% third down conversion percentage, a mark that is the third worst, only ahead of Nevada and New Mexico. • WVU will be Memphis’ third opponent this season to rank in the top-25 for average time of possession. The Mountaineers (31:58) rank 21st nationally, with previous opponents Army and Tulane ranking first and sixth, respectively. • Placekicker, Michael Hayes II ranks 11th nationally in field goal percentage (91.7%). • The Mountaineers’ backfield features multiple threats, as running back Jaheim White holds an average of 5.75 yards per carry, good for 37th in the nation. CJ Donaldson also ranks 58th in rushing touchdowns with nine. • Quarterback Garrett Greene currently ranks 34th in total offense, averaging 261.0 yards per game. • Defensive lineman TJ Jackson II ranks tied for 49th nationally in sacks with 6.5. • The Mountaineer linebacking corps has been efficient at stopping additional yardage, as Anthony Wilson Jr. ranks T-49th in total tackles (94) and Josiah Trotter sits at 61st in tackles (92). • Wilson’s 94 tackles are tied with Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin, who leads the Tigers in tackles. • Due to entering the transfer portal, linebacker Josiah Trotter may not appear in the second level for the Mountaineers. • This will be the fourth ranked opponent on WVU’s schedule this season. The Mountaineers have been outscored 107-46 in their three previous ranked matchups (No. 8 Penn State, 34-12; No. 11 Iowa State, 28-16; No. 17 Kansas State, 45-18).
BEST AGAINST THE BEST
• Since 2015, Memphis has posted a record of 9-11 (.450) against top-25 ranked opponents. • The nine victories are the most over that stretch for any non-Power 4 team in the country. • Memphis’ nine ranked wins since 2015 have come over No. 13/12 Ole Miss (2015), No. 18/21/20 Houston (2016), No. 25/RV UCLA (2017), No. 25/24 Navy (2017), No. 15/14 SMU (2019), No. 18/17/19 Cincinnati (2019), No. 21/21/20 Cincinnati (2019), No. 23/24 SMU (2021) and No. 17/18/18 Tulane (2024).
RIDING THE MOMENTUM
• The 2024 season was a historic one for the Tigers as they became just the sixth team in program history to win 10 games (2023, 2019, 2017, 2014, 1938) and secured back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in 109 years of football. • This year’s team also became just the 11th in program history to win nine or more games in a season. • The Tigers reached eight wins for the ninth time in the past 11 seasons.
AMONG THE ELITE
• Memphis has posted 98 victories since 2014, tied for 12th-most in the nation during that stretch. • The 98 wins are the most among American Athletic Conference schools during that span. • The Tigers also rank 13th in the country in winning percentage dating back to 2014 with their 98-43 (.695) mark. • Memphis (63) has the fourth-most home wins in the country since 2014, trailing only Alabama (72), Clemson (70) and Ohio State (68). The Tigers’ .840 winning percentage is No. 9 in the country over that stretch. • Memphis’ streak of 11-straight seasons with a record of .500 or better is the third-longest streak among Group of 5 and independent schools and is the longest such streak in the AAC.
MEMPHIS LEADS NATION IN CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH 20 OR MORE POINTS
• The Tigers have scored 20 or more points in 39-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. • Memphis has scored 1,426 points over that stretch for an average of 36.6 points per game. • The next longest active streaks belong to Miami (16) and Louisville (13). • The FBS record is 77-consecutive games held by Ohio State, spanning from Sept. 17, 2017 to Sept. 23, 2023.
BOWL STREAK
• Following the win over North Texas, Memphis is bowl eligible for the 11th-consecutive season, the longest stretch of any non-Power 4 team in the country. • It took the Tigers only seven games to reach bowl eligibility, matching the fastest marks set in 2017 & 2019 to do so in the last decade. • Memphis is one of seven teams in FBS with 11 or more consecutive bowl-game appearances along with Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Iowa. • In 2023, the Tigers defeated Iowa State, 36-26, in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, improving the program’s record to 8-8 in bowl games.
West Virginia Mountaineers Notes
NOTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
• The 2024 season marks West Virginia’s 132nd season of football. The Mountaineers are the 15th winningest program in college football • West Virginia has won 11 Big 12 Conference games over the past two years, tied with Texas Tech and Kansas State for No. 2 during that time. • The Scooter’s Frisco Bowl is WVU 41st bowl appearance in school history. The Mountaineers are one of 13 Power 4 teams who have reached a bowl game in at least 20 of the past 23 years • The Mountaineers are 17-23 all-time in bowl games and this year’s bowl appearance marks the first time in the Scooter’s Frisco Bowl • Senior offensive tackle Wyatt Milum was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year, marking the school’s first outright winner and third overall • Redshirt freshman linebacker Josiah Trotter was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year • Milum and redshirt senior defensive tackle TJ Jackson II were named All-Big 12 Conference First-Team honorees • Senior quarterback Garrett Greene was one of 11 FBS players named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, honoring his exemplary community service. • Since 2002, the Mountaineers are 104-15 when winning the turnover battle • Overall since 2019, the Mountaineers are 32-13 when rushing for at least 100 yards • West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 26 of the last 28 games • The Mountaineers are ranked No. 4 nationally for fewest penalty yards and No. 8 in fewest penalties • West Virginia’s rushing attack is ranked No. 27 nationally in most yards per game (192.7) among FBS schools and No. 9 in Power Four • WVU ranks No. 34 nationally in first-down offense (260) • WVU’s defense has recorded multiple sacks in 11 of the last 17 games and at least four tackles for loss in 27 of the last 32 games • West Virginia has held 18 of its last 24 opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing • WVU’s defense is ranked No. 29 nationally for most defensive touchdowns this season (2) • WVU is one of two FBS teams that has three players who have rushed for 630 yards or more • WVU is No. 20 nationally in kickoff return defense (16.8) and No. 36 in kickoff returns (22.1) • Jahiem White has 49 missed tackles forced to lead WVU, Garrett Greene (33) and CJ Donaldson Jr. (28) • White is ranked No. 34 nationally in rushing yards per carry (5.8), and Greene is No. 33 in total offensive yards per game (261.0) • According to PFF College, Wyatt Milum is ranked as the No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation, grading out at 90.1. His pass-blocking grade (82.5) is No. 4 and his run-blocking grade is No. 6 (82.5). He has not allowed a sack or a quarterback hit and has only given up seven pressures • According to PFF College, TJ Jackson II has a 90.6 grade against the run, ranking No. 1 nationally among FBS edge rushers and an overall grade of 82.3, tied for No. 25 • Anthony Wilson (5, 7.9) and Josiah Trotter (7, 7.7) rank in the top 10 in the Big 12 in tackles per game • Michael Hayes II is ranked No. 11 nationally for field goal percentage (.923) • Preston Fox is ranked No. 26 nationally for most combined kick return yardage (409).
OFFENSIVE ANALYSIS
• Breaking down the West Virginia offensive numbers for the 2024 season shows that the Mountaineers have run 824 plays, 493 on the ground and 331 through the air. • The rushing game has totaled 2,312 yards, an average of 4.7 yards per carry and 24 touchdowns. The passing attack has totaled 2,406 yards, 18 touchdowns and an average of 12.2 yards per completion. • Combine the two and the Mountaineers have turned in 4,718 yards of total offense, 42 touchdowns, an average of 5.7 yards per play and an average of 28.5 points per game. • Deeper analysis shows that the Mountaineer offense has gained 131 first downs by the run and 114 via the pass. On average, West Virginia has totaled 192.7 yards per game on the ground, 200.5 yards per game passing and 393.2 yards per game of total offense.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS
• Over the last 10 years, West Virginia’s defense is tied for No. 45 nationally in interceptions (111) among FBS schools and is tied for No. 30 among Power Four schools. • In 2015, the Mountaineer defense finished with 23 interceptions, ranking No. 2 nationally. WVU also was No. 5 nationally in turnovers gained (31). • WVU finished with 11 interceptions in 2016, 14 in 2017, 15 in 2018, eight in 2019, 11 in 2020, nine in 2021, four in 2022, 11 in 2023, and has five in 2024.
TAKEAWAYS
• Over the last 10 years, West Virginia has produced 177 takeaways. • Clemson has the most during the 10-year period with 244, while Alabama has 233 and Iowa has 229.
WEST VIRGINIA OFFENSE
• This season’s offensive roster includes 19 true freshmen, seven redshirt freshmen, three sophomores, 10 redshirt sophomores, one junior, nine redshirt juniors, four seniors and three redshirt seniors • The 2024 offensive personnel includes seven quarterbacks, nine running backs, one fullback, 14 wide receivers, six tight ends and 19 offensive linemen • OL Brandon Yates made his 60th career appearance for WVU at Texas Tech, setting the program record for most career games played • Running back Jahiem White eclipsed 800 rushing yards for the season against Texas Tech, marking the second season in a row that he has broken 800 yards on the ground • Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. caught seven passes for 73 yards against Texas Tech, marking a career-high in both categories • Quarterback Garrett Greene set career highs in completions (29) and passing attempts (39) against Texas Tech • Greene leads all Big 12 quarterbacks with 656 yards on 126 carries • The Mountaineers average 192.7 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 27 in the country • West Virginia is one of two teams in the nation with three players to have 630 or more rushing yards (Donaldson, Greene, White) • The Mountaineer offense has scored at least 30 points in 15 of the last 20 games, dating back to Oct. 12, 2023 • Since 2019, WVU has reached 100 yards on the ground 45 times • Overall in the past 10 years, the Mountaineers are 64-27 when rushing for at least 100 yards • West Virginia has surpassed at least 140 rushing yards in 26 of the last 28 games, dating back to 2022 • West Virginia has scored at least one rushing touchdown in 45 of its last 50 games • Since 2012, WVU has thrown for 300 or more yards 52 times, 350 or more 31 times, 400 or more 10 times and 500 or more four times • Over the past 10 years, the Mountaineers have thrown for 300 or more yards 38 times • West Virginia is 36-17 when passing for 300 or more yards since 2012 • Since 2015, West Virginia has produced 72 games with 400 or more yards of total offense • WVU has gained at least 500 yards of total offense 14 times since 2019, most recently on Oct. 5, 2024, at Oklahoma State • West Virginia is ranked No. 31 in FBS in fourth-down conversion rate (62.2%) • WVU has only committed 52 penalties for 406 total yards this season, tying it eighth in FBS for fewest penalties committed • WVU is tied for ninth in fewest penalties per game (4.33), ranked fourth for fewest penalty yards (406) and fewest penalty yards per game (33.83) • WVU is No. 34 in FBS in first downs with 269 this season • West Virginia possesses the ball 31:51 per game, ranking it No. 21 in the country this season • Greene is tied for No. 9 in WVU football history with 27 career rushing touchdowns • Donaldson is tied for No. 7 in WVU football history with 28 career rushing touchdowns • Greene has thrown for 200 or more yards in 12 of the last 18 games • Greene is ranked 11th all-time in program history with 5,042 passing yards • Greene has rushed for at least 85 yards in five of his last seven games • Greene has five career games with at least 100 rushing yards • Greene is the fourth WVU quarterback in school history to throw for at least 3,500 yards and rush for at least 1,500 yards for his career • At Pitt, Greene became the 12th player in WVU history to account for more than 5,000 yards • Greene ranks No. 13 in WVU football history with over 4,770 passing yards in his career • Tight end Kole Taylor ranks sixth all-time in career receiving yards for a tight end (848) • Taylor also ranks fourth all-time in career receptions for a tight end with 74 • Against Cincinnati, the Mountaineers failed to eclipse 100 yards on the ground, marking the team’s first win when not rushing for 100 yards since it defeated Army in the Liberty Bowl (Dec. 31, 2020)
WEST VIRGINIA DEFENSE
• This season’s defensive roster includes 20 true freshmen, nine redshirt freshmen, two sophomores, nine redshirt sophomores, one junior, eight redshirt juniors, 10 seniors and two redshirt seniors • This season’s defensive personnel includes 11 cornerbacks, one defensive back, 21 defensive linemen, 12 linebackers, 10 safeties, three spears and three spurs • Linebacker Trey Lathan posted 10 total tackles against Texas Tech, marking his second game this season with double-digit tackles • Safety Anthony Wilson intercepted his second pass of the season against the Red Raiders • The Mountaineers have forced a turnover (four fumbles, two interceptions) in four of the last five games • WVU is tied No. 29 in FBS with two defensive touchdowns this season • Wilson is ranked fifth in the Big 12 in tackles and linebacker Josiah Trotter is ranked seventh • Defensive lineman TJ Jackson leads the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 13.5 and is tied for 15th in the nation • Jackson is ranked fifth in the conference in sacks with 6.5 this season • Twelve players have eclipsed 30 tackles this season: Wilson (95), Josiah Trotter (92), Trey Lathan (72), Tyrin Bradley (54), Reid Carrico (52), Fatorma Mulbah (45), Garnett Hollis (44), Jackson (38), Jaheem Joseph (38), Dontez Fagan (34), Kekoura Tarnue (33), Ben Cutter (32) • WVU is one of two teams in the Big 12 with two players ranked in the top 10 in total tackles • West Virginia has held six of 12 opponents to less than 130 rushing yards this season • The West Virginia defense has held 18 of its last 24 opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing • WVU has recorded at least four tackles for loss in 28 out of the last 33 games • WVU’s defense also has recorded multiple sacks in a game in 12 of the last 17 games • Since 2019, the Mountaineers have recorded at least one sack 63 times • Over the past 10 years, the Mountaineers have held their opponents to fewer than 300 yards of total offense 26 times • West Virginia has held its opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing in 54 of its last 69 games • Since 2019, WVU has held opposing teams to fewer than 250 yards passing 41 times, fewer than 200 yards 25 times and fewer than 150 yards 11 times • WVU is 104-15 since 2002 when winning the turnover battle • The West Virginia defense scored two touchdowns off Cincinnati turnovers (Nov. 9, 2024), a 79-yard interception return by Anthony Wilson Jr. and an 8-yard fumble return by Tyrin Bradley Jr., marking the first time that WVU has scored two non-offensive touchdowns in a game since Oct. 28, 2017 against Oklahoma State • West Virginia’s two defensive touchdowns against UC were its first since Nov. 3, 2001, when it scored on an interception (50) and a fumble return (10) against Rutgers, both by Shawn Hackett • West Virginia has scored two defensive touchdowns in a game three times since 2000, while it was the eighth time it has scored two non-offensive TDs in a game since 2000
WEST VIRGINIA SPECIAL TEAMS
• This season’s special teams roster includes two true freshmen, two redshirt freshmen, two redshirt sophomores, one junior, one redshirt junior, one senior and two redshirt seniors • Michael Hayes II converted a career-long 52- yard field goal against Texas Tech • For the year, Hayes is 12-for-13 on field-goal attempts • Hayes is tied for No. 1 in the Big 12 with a 100% conversion rate on extra points • For his career, Hayes is 129-for-130 on PATs • Hayes is 2-for-2 on field goals from 20-29 yards, 4-for-5 on kicks from 30-39 yards, 5-for-5 on field goals from 40-49 yards and 1-for-1 on field goals from 50+ • For his WVU career, Hayes is 9-for-9 on kicks from 20-29 yards, 9-for-10 on field goals from 30-39 yards, 10-for-11 on kicks from 40-49 yards and 1-for-1 on kicks from 50+ • WVU is ranked No. 19 in FBS in kick return defense, allowing 16.75 yards per return • West Virginia is ranked No. 36 in kickoff returns, averaging 22.08 yards per return • The Mountaineers also are ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 in kick returns • Wide receiver Preston Fox is ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 in kick returns, averaging 27.6 yards per return • This season, Straw has punted 33 times for 1,441 yards, averaging 43.7 yards per punt • For the year, Straw has pinned 15 punts inside the 20-yard line, had 11 result in a fair catch and has only had two reach the end zone for a touchback • Straw has had five punts travel at least 50 yards this season • Straw’s longest punts of the year traveled 57 yards (vs. Pitt Sept. 14, 2024 and vs. UCF Nov. 23, 2024) • West Virginia is ranked No. 44 in net punting in FBS (39.8) • Fox is ranked No. 6 in the Big 12 in punt returns, averaging 8.1 yards per return.
