Kobee Minor came off the edge and delivered a crushing blindside hit that caused MTSU quarterback Nicholas Vattiato to cough up the ball and wake up the Tigers.

Box score for NCAA’s football game between the Memphis Tigers and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

The offense got off to a slow start and was scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season. The Tigers finally scored two second-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead by halftime. The Memphis defense held MTSU to 29 yards rushing on 25 attempts.

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Box score: Tigers 24, MTSU 7

The Tigers will play host to Middle Tennessee on Saturday. It’ll be the first matchup between the two teams since 2014.

Memphis entered this year as the favorite to win the league, but it has already suffered a loss in its first conference game.

The Tigers’ first-year athletic director was persuasive explaining why Memphis turned down the Pac-12, not just saying it was bad but explaining why in no uncertain terms.

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Memphis AD knows Pac-12 decision was emotional for fans

Fans have waited for their turn to celebrate a move to a Power Conference for years. The new-look Pac-12 no longer qualifies for that distinction, but some believed it would be better than the AAC.

“It really came down to what our future looks like,” Ed Scott said. “... The financials were not there.”

The late Jackson Hughey had unwavering support for the Tigers even while battling cancer for six-and-a-half years. Phil Glass, who is known as the “Ultimate Tiger,” says Hughey was the team’s true No. 1 fan. 

The City of Memphis has not yet transferred Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium to the University of Memphis.

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$5M in city funds will pay for AutoZone Park improvements

As the Tigers chase a CFP spot, The Daily Memphian will keep track of notable Group of Five teams each week. Some teams will fall out, and others will be added depending on the outcome of games played.

Was it prudent for Memphis to say no to the Pac-12? Possibly. Was it deflating? Unquestionably.

“What you don’t want is one game to totally take the wind out of your sails and say, ‘Man, we can’t play defense anymore,’” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said. “We can and we will, and we’re certainly capable of it.”

The Memphis Tigers have decided to stay put in the AAC rather than jump to the new-look Pac-12.

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Memphis playoff chase: Tracking top Group of Five teams

Pac-12 vs. AAC: Sports writers weigh in on Tigers’ upcoming decision

Penny Hardaway ‘proud to represent the AAC’ amid Memphis to Pac 12 talks

What respected national sports journalists say regarding a decision that will shape the future of Memphis Tigers athletics. The decision reportedly could come as soon as Monday, Sept. 23.

ESPN college football expert Paul Finebaum answers The Daily Memphian’s questions after Week 4 games. Tennessee championship hopes, Memphis Pac-12 decision addressed.

The Tigers were ranked No. 23 and were the top Group of Five team in last week’s Coaches Poll, before suffering a 56-44 loss at Navy.

Memphis earned an impressive win over Florida State on the back of its defense on Sept. 14. It then allowed Navy quarterback Blake Horvath to compile 416 yards of total offense with six touchdowns in a 56-44 loss a week later.

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Memphis no longer nationally ranked

The University of Memphis’ loss to Navy on Saturday afternoon etched a brutal finish on one of the most promising weeks in Memphis football history.

NCAA football box score for the college football game between the Memphis Tigers and the Navy Midshipmen.

The Midshipmen (3-0, 2-0 in AAC) took a 21-14 lead in the second quarter and never gave it back as it handed the Tigers (3-1, 0-1 AAC) their first loss of the season.

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Box score: Navy 56, Memphis 44

Desrosiers converted a 4th-and-3 late in a 20-12 win at Florida State last week. He appeared to suffer an injury while picking up the first down.

A Memphis win would give fifth-year coach Ryan Silverfield the first 4-0 start of his tenure. A win for Navy would give the Midshipmen their first 3-0 start since 2017.

The season’s second edition of the Tigers Podcast talks about the big football win in Tallahassee, what impact the hirings of Nolan Smith and Mike Davis could have on the basketball program and more.

“I thought it was pretty cool because you don’t hear that a lot. … It just stuck and I’ve been going with it,” Holler said. “All my teammates, even guys here (at Memphis) started calling me ‘Snack’ or ‘Big Snack.’ I’ll take whatever.”