Seth Henigan has major credentials, but you never hear him mentioned among the top quarterbacks in the nation.
He is surprisingly invisible considering he has four consecutive 3,000-yard seasons and has thrown more than 100 career touchdown passes.
The often-overlooked Henigan will look to end his career in style when No. 25 Memphis takes on West Virginia on Tuesday night at the Frisco Bowl in Texas.
ODDS AND TRENDS
While the Tigers are 5.5-point favorites at many sportsbooks, the line has held steady at 6.0 at BetMGM. That’s because Memphis has been highly popular with the public, drawing 81 percent of the spread-line bets and 85 percent of the money.
West Virginia gave up 52 points and has allowed an average of 35 over its past seven games. Memphis isn’t exactly a defensive powerhouse, either, having surrendered 56 points to Navy and 44 to both North Texas and UTSA this season.
PROP PICK
Oddsmakers are expecting defense to be at a premium on Tuesday night. The consensus total points line among major sportsbooks is 60.5. The market opened at 56.5 at BetMGM, but quickly escalated with the public backing the Over with 78 percent of the bets and 84 percent of the money.
KEY STAT
Henigan has passed for 3,208 yards and 23 touchdowns against six interceptions this season. He holds the school and American Athletic Conference record of 13,972 passing yards and is two scoring passes behind the league mark set by Houston’s Clayton Tune (104 from 2018-22).
THE NEWS
Though Memphis (10-2) has wrapped up a second straight 10-win campaign for the first time in school history, it is a bittersweet accomplishment for Henigan. That’s because the Tigers didn’t win a single AAC title during his tenure.
“I wasn’t able to achieve any of the team accolades, which is what I’m all about,” Henigan said. “So that’s what really hurts me, just when I’m going to be looking back on my career in the future. Individual accolades will come and go and be forgotten and nobody will care. It’s all about wins and team goals.”
Henigan was a third-team All-AAC selection while star running back Mario Anderson Jr. was one of seven Tigers to earn first-team honors. Anderson has rushed for 1,292 yards and 17 touchdowns and compiled eight 100-yard outings.
Among the first-team Memphis defenders is linebacker Chandler Martin, the team leader in tackles (94), sacks (seven), stops for losses (15) and fumble recoveries (four).
Cornerback Davion Ross, who has a team-best three interceptions, is another one of the unit’s All-ACC first-teamers.
West Virginia (6-6) was torched 52-15 by host Texas Tech in the regular-season finale, and it resulted in the firing of coach Neal Brown. Former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriguez was re-hired last week for a second tenure.
Offensive coordinator Chad Scott is serving as interim coach and keeping the program focused on the bowl game.
Scott said attendance in bowl practices has been 100 percent and that first-team All-Big 12 left tackle Wyatt Milum intends to play, though the coach plans to limit his time on the field.
Milum was a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top interior lineman, and is considered a possible first-round choice in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“I plan on playing,” Milum said. “It’s up to the coaches how much I play.”
Milum said the Texas Tech debacle played a part in the decision.
“I wanted to finish the season out with the guys.” he said. “I felt that would be the best thing to do. So that’s the direction I’m going with that.”
West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene has had an up-down-season with nearly as many interceptions (11) as touchdown passes (13). Greene has passed for 1,972 yards.
On the other side of the ball, defensive tackle TJ Jackson II was a first-team All-Big 12 choice for compiling 13.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks.
The Mountaineers played in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl last season and routed North Carolina 30-10. Memphis registered a 36-26 victory over Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl.
Tuesday will mark the first meeting between the two programs.
THEY SAID IT
“You can’t break records without great people around you. So, it’s just a testament to the people I’ve played with in my four years and the coaches I’ve had that have made me the player that I am.” –Henigan, on setting the Memphis touchdown mark.
PREDICTION
West Virginia can tout the buy-in among its players leading up to the bowl game, but this is a struggling program transitioning to a new coaching staff. Memphis is led by a veteran quarterback in Henigan who is motivated to cap his record-setting career with a bowl victory. –Memphis 37, West Virginia 30
–Field Level Media
