Vitals: Tulsa at Memphis

Originally Published: Sep 28, 2010 7:57 PM CDT

Grant Belcher
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-2, 0-1) vs. Memphis Tigers (1-3, 0-2)
6:06 p.m. CST
Liberty Bowl Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.

Statistical leaders:

Injury Report:

Memphis: QB Cannon Smith (concussion, probable); OL Dominik Riley (leg, questionable) LB Khiry Battle (neck, questionable); DL Justin Thompson (knee, questionable)

Tulsa: DB Charles Davis (knee/leg, questionable)

Where to find it?

On TV: None
On Radio: KRMG 740 AM/FM 102.3 (Bruce Howard, Rick Couri, Chris Kaiser)


What you need to know?

This will be the 24th meeting between the Golden Hurricane and Memphis. The Tigers lead the series 14-9, but Tulsa has won the past three matchups including a 33-30 overtime thriller in Tulsa last season. 2008 was the most recent time the Golden Hurricane traveled to Memphis, and they came away with a 35-14 victory.

Although Tulsa just finished with three straight non-conference opponents, Saturday's matchup will not be its first conference game. The season-opening 51-49 loss at East Carolina started the Golden Hurricane off with an 0-1 conference and overall record. Tulsa will make up for the unconventional schedule by facing another non-conference opponent - Notre Dame - on Oct. 30. Memphis, however, has the Golden Hurricane beat in the early conference game department. The Tigers have already played two conference games before others have even played any. The Tigers are 0-2 in conference with losses at East Carolina and UTEP. Memphis also makes up for its discrepancy in non-conference games by taking on Tennessee and Louisville later in the season.

Larry Porter is in his first season as head coach of the Memphis Tigers after spending five seasons on the coaching staff at LSU as an assistant and running backs coach. Porter also has state ties, coaching at Oklahoma State for three years before moving with former OSU coach Les Miles to LSU. Porter played running back for Memphis from 1990-93 and accumulated nearly 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Who to watch?

The battle between Memphis's offensive line and the Golden Hurricane defensive front will be key for Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane defense will have to provide pressure on the quarterback but also be prepared to fill holes the opposing line will open up for Tiger running backs. The Memphis offensive front outweighs Tulsa's defensive line by an average of about 40 pounds. However, Tulsa's defense, which struggled in the first three games of the season, should have a bit lighter load this week. Memphis is 99th in total offense among all FBS teams and 105th in scoring offense.

The status of Tulsa defensive back Charles Davis will be big for the Golden Hurricane against the Tigers. Davis left the game against Central Arkansas with what appeared to be a right knee injury and did not return. He is listed as questionable for the game against the Tigers. If Davis does not play, the Tulsa secondary will be especially vulnerable to the tall, athletic Memphis receivers. Tulsa is 110th nationally in pass defense and scoring defense, and 113th in total defense. Memphis has a size advantage at nearly every position, but its tall athletic receivers and tight end could cause matchup problems for smaller TU defenders.