The Tigers have the talent, depth and home-field advantage. But after Boise State exposed a major concern, Memphis cannot afford to let UT Martin control the game where it matters most.
Memphis Must Fix This One Thing Before UT Martin Makes Saturday Interesting
Memphis returns to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday night with a chance to respond. The Tigers are 2-1 and coming off a 38-20 loss at Boise State, a game that showed both the potential and the problems of this Memphis team. The offense moved the ball, but the defense struggled to get off the field. Boise State controlled possession, ran effectively and pulled away after halftime.
Now comes UT Martin. The Skyhawks enter at 1-2, but they arrive with a clear plan for how to make the game uncomfortable: run the football, stay ahead of the chains, control field position and force Memphis to prove it can finish drives and prevent explosive plays.
Memphis should win this game. The Tigers are playing at home, they have more depth and they have the type of athletes that should create separation as the night goes along. But “should” only matters if Memphis handles the details.
The 2012 meeting is a brief but unavoidable reminder. UT Martin beat Memphis 20-17 that day. That game does not define the current Tigers, but it does reinforce one basic truth: an opponent that is allowed to settle into a game can become far more dangerous than expected. Saturday is about the 2026 Tigers showing they learned from Boise State and are ready to take control before conference play arrives.
UT Martin Will Test Memphis Where Boise State Did
The biggest concern for Memphis is obvious. Boise State ran for 357 yards against the Tigers last week. The Broncos consistently created rushing lanes, controlled the tempo and wore down Memphis as the game continued. The Tigers allowed Boise State to keep drives alive, create manageable situations and own the second half. UT Martin does not have Boise State’s personnel. But the Skyhawks do not need to be Boise State to borrow the same formula.
They will want to run the football, shorten the game and keep their offense in manageable down-and-distance situations. Against West Virginia last week, UT Martin produced 148 rushing yards and showed it had the ability to create chunk gains on the ground. That is the first major challenge for Memphis.
The Tigers cannot allow UT Martin to gain four, five or six yards on first down all night. If the Skyhawks stay ahead of the chains, they can use play-action, stay balanced and keep Memphis from attacking in obvious passing situations.
Memphis must set the edge, fill interior rushing lanes and tackle cleanly. The Tigers cannot allow missed assignments or poor pursuit angles to turn routine runs into explosive plays. Stopping the run is not simply a defensive priority. It is the foundation for controlling the entire game.
Field Position Could Decide the Early Tone
UT Martin’s most realistic way to create momentum is through field position. The Skyhawks do not need to dominate every drive. They need to avoid giving Memphis short fields, pin the Tigers deep when possible and take advantage if the Memphis offense stalls near midfield.
UT Martin punter Ethan Coale averaged more than 53 yards per punt against West Virginia. That gives the Skyhawks a legitimate tool to flip the field and make Memphis drive the length of it. For the Tigers, special teams cannot be an afterthought.
Memphis must cover kicks, secure the ball, avoid return penalties and make smart decisions when fielding punts. A bad exchange, a penalty on a return or a short punt can quickly change the feel of a game that Memphis should control.
The Tigers also need to treat each offensive possession with urgency. If Memphis repeatedly moves the ball but comes away empty, UT Martin will gain confidence. Field goals are valuable, but Memphis should be looking to finish drives with touchdowns once it reaches scoring territory. The goal is not just to produce yards. The goal is to make the scoreboard reflect Memphis’ advantage.
Memphis Must Turn Yardage Into Control
Memphis generated 519 total yards at Boise State, including 384 through the air. That is more than enough production to win many games. But the Tigers had the ball for only 20 minutes and four seconds. Boise State possessed it for nearly 40 minutes, which meant Memphis’ offense did not have enough opportunities to establish sustained control.
That is the issue Memphis must correct Saturday. The Tigers need to stay on the field, not just strike quickly. Explosive plays are important, but sustained drives matter because they rest the defense, wear down an opponent and limit the number of possessions available to the other offense.
Memphis has to win first down offensively. A productive run, a high-percentage completion or a smart decision by quarterback Marcus Stokes can keep the Tigers out of obvious passing situations and give the play-caller the full menu on second and third down.
The Tigers also need to protect the football. Nothing gives an opponent life faster than turnovers, particularly when they create short fields. Memphis should not need perfection Saturday, but it needs discipline.
A complete performance would mean the Tigers establish the run, take efficient shots downfield, convert third downs and finish possessions in the end zone. It would also mean the defense gets off the field, the special teams protect field position and Memphis gives its depth a chance to take over late.
Saturday is the final game before an open week and the start of American Conference play. Memphis does not need a dramatic result. It needs a convincing one.
The Tigers have an opportunity to show that the Boise State loss was a lesson, not a lingering problem. Stop the run. Win the field-position battle. Finish drives. Control the football. Do those things, and Memphis will leave Saturday night with more than a win. It will leave with the kind of momentum and identity it needs before the games that will define the rest of its season.
