Memphis running back Darrell Henderson didn't practice with his team Friday as the Tigers began preparation for the Dec. 22 Birmingham Bowl.

Mike Norvell continued to pseudo-avoid questions regarding whether he is a candidate for other coaching jobs, repeating that he is pleased with his role as Tigers coach.

When offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham and wide receiver coach Desmond Lindsey sat down with quarterback Sheldon Layman the conversation didn’t focus on football.

Geoff Calkins and Jonah Jordan talk about the future of Memphis football coach Mike Norvell, the disgrace that was the AAC title game, the state of football and basketball recruiting and the progress of Penny Hardaway’s basketball team.

Three-star defensive end Jalil Clemons and three-star running back Rodrigues Clark will officially visit the University of Memphis this weekend, according to Starkville High coach Chris Jones.

Geoff Calkins, Don Wade and Jonah Jordan discuss another big week in University of Memphis sports.

Memphis offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham had a simple message for his quarterbacks when he opened practice Tuesday.

Memphis faces a Wake Forest team with some question marks on both sides of the football when they take on the Demon Deacons in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22. 

Memphis (8-5, 5-4 American Athletic Conference) will play in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 22 against Wake Forest of the Atlantic Coast Conference. 

Three-star athlete Jashon Watkins made his commitment to Memphis known Monday evening.

Memphis (8-5 American Athletic Conference) dropped their fourth game in two seasons to No. 9 UCF (12-0, 9-0 AAC) Saturday afternoon. 

Quarterback Brady White and the Memphis offense went three-and-out, leaving punter Adam Williams to punt from the Houston 49-yard line. Williams faced a punt from his "dead zone" – a spot on the field where he may not put the ball anywhere but the end zone. He needed room so the Tigers called a shift and took a delay of game penalty.

They come in all shapes and sizes. They come from near and far. Unless a yellow flag flies, you probably won’t hear their names or their numbers. But that’s understood from day one.

Coaches have changed. Schemes have been tinkered with. Quarterbacks have graduated or suffered horrific injuries. But most of the personnel has remained the same in three matchups between Memphis and UCF spanning the last two seasons.

It’s true that UCF has beaten Memphis three times since Sept. 30 of last year. And it would seem to speak to dominance.

When Memphis and UCF face each other Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game, it will mark the first time in the last two seasons Knights star quarterback McKenzie Milton won’t appear against the Tigers.

Memphis coach Mike Norvell set aside rumors associating his name with college coaching vacancies across the country Tuesday, saying his focus is solely on the American Athletic Conference Championship against UCF.

The coaching carousel is spinning, and for the second straight year Memphis fans are watching and wondering if Mike Norvell could head elsewhere.

American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco is taking the approach that the UCF and Memphis offenses did in a 62-55 double-overtime game in last year’s league championship.

The official stats read, “HENDERSON, D. rush for 4 yards to the MEM48, 1ST DOWN MEM.” This moment was more significant than one line on Friday's play-by-play in Memphis' 52-31 win over Houston.

Thirteen Memphis players appeared in their last game as a Tiger in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday. Some were major contributors; others saw minimal action.

Memphis: 52, Houston: 31 

Memphis (8-4, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) overcame a halftime deficit to clinch the AAC West Division over the Houston Cougars (8-4, 5-3 AAC).

The modern college football coach can put the happy shine on almost anything. Even a public sideline spat with a player over a jacket that, well, really wasn’t about a jacket at all.

Memphis defensive coordinator Chris Ball sat down to watch film of the Houston-Tulane game a week ago and wondered if he would have to abandon his game plan – a strategy developed over months.