1974 Memphis State Tigers football team

The 1974 Memphis State Tigers football team represented Memphis State University (now known as the University of Memphis) as an independent during the 1974 NCAA Division I football season. In its third and final season under head coach Fred Pancoast, the team compiled an 7–4 record and outscored opponents by a total of 225 to 148.[1][2] The team played its home games at Memphis Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee.

1974 Memphis State Tigers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record7–4
Head coach
CaptainJames Thompson
Home stadiumMemphis Memorial Stadium
Seasons
 1973
1975 
1974 NCAA Division I independents football records
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 6 Notre Dame  1020
No. 7 Penn State  1020
Temple  820
Boston College  830
Utah State  830
No. 19 Houston  831
Rutgers  731
Cincinnati  740
Memphis State  740
Pittsburgh  740
Georgia Tech  650
Hawaii  650
Miami (FL)  650
Southern Miss  650
Tampa  650
Holy Cross  551
Tulane  560
Colgate  460
Northern Illinois  470
Navy  470
South Carolina  470
Virginia Tech  470
West Virginia  470
Army  380
Dayton  380
Villanova  380
Air Force  290
Southern Illinois  290
Syracuse  290
Florida State  1100
Marshall  1100
Rankings from AP Poll

The team's statistical leaders included David Fowler with 1,266 passing yards, Reuben Gibson with 493 rushing yards, James Thompson with 395 receiving yards, and James Thompson and Terdell Middleton with 30 points scored each.[3]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 7at LouisvilleW 16–1020,634[4]
September 14Southern MissL 0–626,608[5]
September 21Ole Miss
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN (rivalry)
W 15–750,164[6]
September 28at Colorado StateW 20–1823,984[7]
October 12Cincinnati
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN (rivalry)
W 13–720,142[8]
October 19at Mississippi StateL 28–2935,000[9]
October 26at North Texas StateW 41–05,700[10]
November 2Florida Statedagger
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
W 42–1420,689[11]
November 9at TennesseeL 6–3468,738[12]
November 16at No. 14 HoustonL 10–1323,893[13]
November 23Wichita State
  • Memphis Memorial Stadium
  • Memphis, TN
W 34–1018,456[14]
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

References

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  1. "1974 Memphis Tigers Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  2. "Memphis Football 2019 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Memphis. p. 270. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  3. "1974 Memphis Tigers Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  4. "Williams, memphis St. 'kick' Louisville". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. September 8, 1974. Retrieved September 20, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Southern stops MSU Tigers, 6–0". The Jackson Sun. September 15, 1974. Retrieved March 23, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Tigers make it two in row over Rebs". The Commercial Appeal. September 22, 1974. Retrieved October 28, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "By a foot Williams' field goal propels Tigers". The Commercial Appeal. September 29, 1974. Retrieved October 9, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Memphis State wins". The Tampa Tribune-Times. October 13, 1974. Retrieved September 20, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Mississippi State bombs Louisville". The Shreveport Times. October 27, 1974. Retrieved October 28, 2023 via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Tigers roll to 41–0 win". The Jackson Sun. October 27, 1974. Retrieved October 31, 2021 via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Another game, another loss for Seminoles". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. November 3, 1974. Retrieved September 20, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Renewed Volunteers ring MSU's Liberty Bowl bell". The Commercial Appeal. November 10, 1974. Retrieved May 8, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Cougar rally deals Tigers 13–10 loss". The Victoria Advocate. November 17, 1974. Retrieved April 10, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Memphis State rolls past Wichita State". The Tennessean. November 24, 1974. Retrieved February 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.