Defense helps Tigers clinch spot in AAC championship
Memphis receiver Damonte Coxie (left) looks back at the Cincinnati defense after making a first down catch Nov. 29 at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis head coach Mike Norvell (middle) raises the AAC Western Divisional Champion Trophy after defeating Cincinnati Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis receiver Damonte Coxie (left) makes a touchdown catch against Cincinnati's Cam Jefferies (right) Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis kick returner Chris Claybrooks (left) scrambles for a touchdown against Cincinnati Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis defender Morris Joseph (top) tackles Cincinnati running back Michael Warren II (bottom) for a loss Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis receiver Kedarian Jones (right) dives for a first down against Cincinnati's Jarell White (left) Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis receiver Damonte Coxie makes a first down catch against Cincinnati Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis defender Chris Claybrooks (left) knocks the ball away from Cincinnati receiver Malik Clements (right) Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis teammates Brady White (left) and Chris Claybrooks (right) celebrate after beating Cincinnati Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis kick returner Chris Claybrooks (middle) scrambles past Cincinnati for a touchdown Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis defender Bryce Huff (left) causes a fumble while sacking Cincinnati quarterback during Ben Bryant (right) Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (middle) runs past the Cincinnati defense for a first down Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis defender Jonathan Wilson (bottom) tries to stop a fumble from going out of bounds in the Nov. 29 game against Cincinnati. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis defender Desmond Hawkins (middle) tackles Cincinnati running back Michael Warren II (left) Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis teammates celebrate after defeating Cincinnati Nov. 29 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
A Tigers fan goes through the University of Memphis pom squad's routine move by move during the first half of the Nov. 29 home game against the University of Cincinnati. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis senior defensive back Ladarius Jordan (36) hugs head coach Mike Norvell during a ceremony honoring the U of M senior class before the Nov. 29 home game against the University of Cincinnati. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (3) tosses a shovel pass during a 34-24 win against the University of Cincinnati at the Liberty Bowl on Nov. 29. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) breaks a tackle during a long fourth quarter run against the University of Cincinnati at the Liberty Bowl Nov. 29. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) runs the ball during a a 34-24 win against the University of Cincinnati Nov. 29. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian
University of Memphis defensive lineman Joseph Dorceus (94) sacks University of Cincinnati quarterback Ben Bryant (6) Nov. 29. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis had a lot to cheer about as their Tigers took on the University of Cincinnati Nov. 29. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Memphis advanced to the American Athletic Conference Championship Game with a 34-24 win over Cincinnati.