Riley Patterson kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Detroit Lions to a 41-38 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Tigers would have liked to put some of their opponents away in a less stressful manner, but those moments might have helped Memphis be more prepared for what situations might arise when SMU travels to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday. 

A win over the Mustangs would keep the Tigers’ American Athletic Conference Championship hopes alive.

Whatever you’ve thought about this team, or the schedule, or the coaching, all the Tigers (8-2) have done is figure out how to win almost every week.

Hypothetical talks at the start of the year surrounding what could be for the program have inched closer and closer to reality each week.

Memphis (8-2, 5-1 AAC) stays alive in the race toward a conference championship game appearance after surviving a scare against the 49ers.

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Box score: Memphis 44, Charlotte 38 (OT)

NCAA football box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and Charlotte 49ers from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Seth Henigan missed most of the fourth quarter of last week’s game with an injury but is healthy enough to start against Charlotte on Saturday.

The Tigers defense could get a break while facing a 49ers team that is averaging just 16.8 points per game. 

The Memphis Tigers allowed a season-high 50 points in a 59-50 win over the University of South Florida last week, and defensive coordinator Matt Barnes owned the fact that he didn’t create a good enough game plan. 

Host Greg Gaston and Tigers football beat reporter Frank Bonner speculate on quarterback Seth Henigan’s injury status. In the second half of this episode, basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and Gaston break down Memphis’ season-opening win over Jackson State.

Blake Watson is just 174 yards shy of achieving what only seven other Memphis running backs have accomplished in program history. 

Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said quarterback Seth Henigan’s injury status could be a game-time decision. He also said running back Blake Watson is day-to-day. 

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After quarterback Seth Henigan left the field with an injury, Tevin Carter stepped in and executed the longest play of the season. “... When his number was called, he went out there and performed,” Coach Ryan Silverfield said.

Numbers can be deceiving. South Florida racked up the yards and the points, but Memphis came through late to secure the victory.

Football box score for Saturday’s game between the Memphis Tigers and South Florida Bulls played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis.

Quarterback Seth Henigan did pretty much whatever needed to be done as Memphis defeated South Florida.

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Box score: Memphis 59, South Florida 50

The Tigers are facing a fast-paced offense for the second consecutive week. South Florida averages 83.6 offensive snaps per game, which is tops in the country.

The Tigers head into Saturday’s home game against South Florida coming off a close-call win at North Texas.

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Tigers football beat writer Frank Bonner and host Greg Gaston discuss realistic expectations for head coach Ryan Silverfield. Tigers basketball beat writer Parth Upadhyaya and Gaston discuss takeaways from Memphis’ exhibition game victory against Lane College.

“We could think of no better way to thank Mayor Strickland for his loyal support of the Tigers than by having him send the team onto the field before the homecoming game,” Laird Veatch said.

The American Athletic Conference appears to be in a race with the Mountain West for a New Year’s Six Bowl bid. A one-loss Tulane team was ranked a spot higher than undefeated Air Force. 

Memphis is betting big on Liberty Park, but public records show a big shortfall in covering that bet. 

Memphis is winning close games and has the best road record since Ryan Silverfield became head coach. The Tigers have issues that need to be fixed if they want to end up having a special season.