Memphis @ Connecticut preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2014 ) Connecticut 10, Memphis 41

Memphis suffered a punch in the gut last weekend after a fast start and looks to wash away that memory quickly when it visits struggling Connecticut on Friday night for another American Athletic Conference contest. The Tigers averaged 43 points while winning their first three games, including an inspiring upset of UCLA, before getting pounded at Central Florida 40-13 on Saturday.

“Our guys were kind of embarrassed for how we played. I’m embarrassed as a coach for how we had them prepared to play. So, we’re going to respond,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell told reporters. “Talk is cheap. What you see is who you are. We’ve got to come out (Friday night), and show something much better if we have any intentions of winning this game.” Senior quarterback Riley Ferguson, who threw for six scores against UCLA, needs to rebound after a three-interception performance and will face another productive signal caller in UConn’s Bryant Shirreffs. The senior has thrown for more than 400 yards in losses to East Carolina and SMU the last two games, but the Huskies have allowed 128 points in three consecutive losses after opening with a win over FCS member Holy Cross. UConn coach Randy Edsall told reporters his team - allowing a nation-most 379.8 yards through the air - is still working hard: “We’re not playing as sharp and as crisp and as consistent and sound as I would like, but at least we’re giving ourselves a chance.”

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Memphis -13.5

MEMPHIS (3-1. 0-1 AAC): The Tigers have been banged up, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and it showed last week against UCF when they gave up 603 total yards and 350 on the ground. “Our depth is taking a hit,” Norvell told reporters. “When you see that, you’ve got to capitalize on your opportunities to get off the field. That’s where that’s hurting us. We’re getting a little worn down there, especially late.” Ferguson is 198 passing yards short of 5,000 in less than two seasons at Memphis and needs more from his rushing attack - led by sophomore Darrell Henderson, who is averaging 8.9 yards per carry and ran for 105 of his 393 yards against UCLA.

CONNECTICUT (1-3, 0-2): The Huskies have scored enough to win games while averaging almost 28 points as Shirreffs boasts eight touchdown passes and just two interceptions while completing 68.9 percent of his passes. Running back Nate Hopkins rushed for 130 yards and three scores in the opener, but is averaging just 31 in his last three games, while fellow freshman Kevin Mensah ran for 107 yards against East Carolina. Senior running back Arkeel Newsome has been Shirreffs’ top target with 15 catches and 311 receiving yards, but junior wideout Aaron McLean hauled in five passes for 122 yards against SMU on Saturday - both career highs.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Memphis WR Phil Mayhue has caught at least one pass in 32 straight games - second in school history - and teammate WR Anthony Miller’s streak is at 29.

2. The Huskies are allowing teams to convert on third down 45.2 percent of the time and the Tigers 52.1 - better than just six teams in the nation.

3. Memphis rolled to a 41-10 home victory in the last meeting in 2014, but the Tigers lost at Connecticut 45-10 in the first-ever matchup one year earlier.

PREDICTION: Memphis 45, Connecticut 21