There is no overstating the importance of Florida State's game against Memphis next Saturday. A win over the Tigers could kick start FSU's season, a loss would make the chances of FSU finishing this year with a winning record and bowl eligibility a real challenge with games left vs. SMU, Clemson, Miami, UNC, Notre Dame and Florida still ahead.
Memphis started its season against FCS program North Alabama. The Tigers won easily, 40-0, and we will have a better idea of who they are after they take on Troy this weekend. That game will be televised by ESPNU at noon on Saturday. The Tigers game vs. UNA does give us a chance to see what Memphis likes to do on offense from a tendency perspective.
One of the things that jumped out to me about Memphis based on the stat sheet from the UNA game is that fact that they managed just 59 yards on the ground on 26 carries. Of the 59 teams that opened their 2024 season against and FCS opponent, Memphis had the second fewest rushing yards.
Against UNA, the Tigers ran more zone scheme running plays (16) than gap scheme plays (7).
A Gap runs-5
B Gap runs-7
C Gap runs-2
D Gap (outside TE) or Perimeter runs-5 D gap runs, 5 perimeter runs, 2 undefined
Another thing that stood out to me from the PFF stats only one of the 6 Memphis running back forced a missed tackle against UNA.
Throwing the ball Memphis likes to spread it around. Eight Memphis players were targeted by QB Seth Henigan at least twice. Demeer Blankumsee and Roc Taylor led the team with five targets each followed by Koby Drake (4) and Marcello Bussey (3), Sutton Smith (3) and Anthony Landsphere (3). As group they dropped two passes.
Henigan was very sharp throwing the ball. He completed 22 of 30 passes (73.3-percent) with an adjusted completion percentage of 82.8-percent.
Breakdown of Hennigan throws
Between the Numbers
At or behind the LOS: 5 of 5 for 3 yards
1-10 yards: 6 of 8 for 43 yards
10-20 yards: 3 of 5 for 71 yards
20 plus yards: 1 of 3 for 35 yards
Outside left:
At or behind the LOS: None
1-10 yards: 3 of 3 for 35 yards
10-20 yards: None
20 plus yards: 1 of 1 for 45 yards
Outside right
At or behind the LOS: None
1-10 yards: 2 of 2 for 13 yards
10-20 yards: None
20 plus yards: 1 of 2 for 30 yards
Defensively, the Tigers gave up just 185 total yards to UNA. They gave up 67 rushing yards on 31 attempts. They gave up 118 yards through the air with UNA completing 17 of 28 passes. According to PFF stats they only had three missed tackles vs the run. They had no missed tackles vs. pass plays. Memphis was also very disruptive in the passing game as far as getting pressure on the QB. As a team they had 21 total pressures (6 sacks, 2 QB hits, 13 hurries) on 34 pass rush opportunities.
DE William Whitlow led the team with four pressures. Seven defenders were credited with multiple pressures.
Looking forward to watching them vs. Troy tomorrow.
Memphis started its season against FCS program North Alabama. The Tigers won easily, 40-0, and we will have a better idea of who they are after they take on Troy this weekend. That game will be televised by ESPNU at noon on Saturday. The Tigers game vs. UNA does give us a chance to see what Memphis likes to do on offense from a tendency perspective.
One of the things that jumped out to me about Memphis based on the stat sheet from the UNA game is that fact that they managed just 59 yards on the ground on 26 carries. Of the 59 teams that opened their 2024 season against and FCS opponent, Memphis had the second fewest rushing yards.
Against UNA, the Tigers ran more zone scheme running plays (16) than gap scheme plays (7).
A Gap runs-5
B Gap runs-7
C Gap runs-2
D Gap (outside TE) or Perimeter runs-5 D gap runs, 5 perimeter runs, 2 undefined
Another thing that stood out to me from the PFF stats only one of the 6 Memphis running back forced a missed tackle against UNA.
Throwing the ball Memphis likes to spread it around. Eight Memphis players were targeted by QB Seth Henigan at least twice. Demeer Blankumsee and Roc Taylor led the team with five targets each followed by Koby Drake (4) and Marcello Bussey (3), Sutton Smith (3) and Anthony Landsphere (3). As group they dropped two passes.
Henigan was very sharp throwing the ball. He completed 22 of 30 passes (73.3-percent) with an adjusted completion percentage of 82.8-percent.
Breakdown of Hennigan throws
Between the Numbers
At or behind the LOS: 5 of 5 for 3 yards
1-10 yards: 6 of 8 for 43 yards
10-20 yards: 3 of 5 for 71 yards
20 plus yards: 1 of 3 for 35 yards
Outside left:
At or behind the LOS: None
1-10 yards: 3 of 3 for 35 yards
10-20 yards: None
20 plus yards: 1 of 1 for 45 yards
Outside right
At or behind the LOS: None
1-10 yards: 2 of 2 for 13 yards
10-20 yards: None
20 plus yards: 1 of 2 for 30 yards
Defensively, the Tigers gave up just 185 total yards to UNA. They gave up 67 rushing yards on 31 attempts. They gave up 118 yards through the air with UNA completing 17 of 28 passes. According to PFF stats they only had three missed tackles vs the run. They had no missed tackles vs. pass plays. Memphis was also very disruptive in the passing game as far as getting pressure on the QB. As a team they had 21 total pressures (6 sacks, 2 QB hits, 13 hurries) on 34 pass rush opportunities.
DE William Whitlow led the team with four pressures. Seven defenders were credited with multiple pressures.
Looking forward to watching them vs. Troy tomorrow.
