When Arkansas plays at Memphis on Saturday afternoon, Razorbacks senior quarterback Taylen Green will have more familiarity with Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium than most of the Tigers.
Green, off to a productive start for the Razorbacks (2-1), will be playing in Memphis for the third time. A majority of the Tigers, meanwhile, will be appearing in only their second game at the facility as Memphis’ roster underwent significant restocking after last season.
Through three games this season, Green has passed for 866 yards and 11 touchdowns with only two interceptions. A dual threat, he has rushed for 307 yards and two scores.
Green made his first appearance in Memphis two years ago when he was the starting quarterback for Boise State. He finished 12-of-24 passing for 200 yards and rushed for 51 yards on eight carries, but he was benched during the game that Memphis won 35-32.
Last year, Green returned to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks and enjoyed a better outcome. He led Arkansas to a 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl and earned the game’s Most Valuable Player award. He finished with 341 passing yards and two touchdowns and ran for 81 yards and a TD.
Curtailing Green’s production will be a focal point for the Tigers (3-0), who are coming off a 28-7 win last weekend at Troy while Arkansas dropped a Southeastern Conference road game vs. then-No. 17 Ole Miss, 41-35. Green became the first player in Arkansas history to throw for at least 300 yards (305) and rush for at least 100 yards (105) in the same game.
“He is very talented,” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said of Green. “… He has great touch on the football. He commands their offense. He can do it all. We are going to have our hands full.”
The Tigers will counter with a dual threat of their own. Nevada transfer quarterback Brendon Lewis has been a key to the team’s strong start, along with a solid running game paced by tailback Sutton Smith. The sixth-year signalcaller passed for 213 yards and ran for 41 in the win over Troy while Smith rushed for 113 yards and two TDs.
“They are really good at inside zone and inside zone read,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “To beat Memphis, you have to eliminate that. And they are good at that, so it’s going to be hard to do.”