LAS VEGAS — There wasn't much question after what Memphis football did on Aug. 29 against UNLV, but Charles Huff laid it out right after the game.
"This was a national statement," Huff said. "Not just about the score, not just about the game. But that the Memphis Tiger community is serious about this program and the direction this program is going."
The Tigers (1-0) fell behind early against UNLV (0-1) but came back and took control of the game down the stretch to earn a 27-21 win. The win and the fact that the game took place during college football's Week 0 means Memphis' national statement will lead to plenty of national attention over the next week.
Memphis will host Arkansas State on Sept. 5 in the home opener. That'll be the first game in the renovated
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, and Huff said multiple times after the game that he wanted it to be sold out.
"Everything about our community that everyone tries to tear down, we're not. And selling the stadium out next week will make another national statement," Huff said. "Really proud of what we represent. And that's 901. That's Memphis. That's something bigger than just a football game. That's a community. That's a university. That's a program and administration that's making positive strides."
Memphis' win over UNLV came because of a dominant performance by its defensive line in the second half. Elijah Kinsler was the standout, tallying eight tackles and two and a half sacks.
The Tigers also found a way to come back to win a game after struggling at times in the first half.
"We get the kids who are worried about football and creating value for themselves," Huff said. "We don’t do ice cream trucks. We don’t do fun things. You know what's fun? That locker room right now is fun."
Throughout the offseason, Huff has talked about building a culture at Memphis and his "suffer well" motto. He talked postgame about Memphis' offseason workouts and how they prepared the Tigers to take control of the game in the fourth quarter.
"It starts in January," Huff said. "When everybody else is just tag touching a cone and feeling really good about themselves, we're taking them into the deep water. That's our process. We plan to win the game in the fourth quarter. So we work harder than a lot of other teams."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Charles Huff called Memphis football's win over UNLV a 'national statement'
