ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo justifiably focused on fixing his team's defense in the wake a season-opening 59-41 loss to Hawaii.

The result of his work will be tested Saturday, when the Midshipmen (0-1) face Memphis (1-0) in an American Athletic Conference matchup.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis' Brady White will be the starting quarterback for the Tigers' Sept. 1 season opener with Mercer.

White had been competing with sophomore David Moore. Memphis coach Mike Norvell announced Tuesday that Moore has left the program and plans to transfer.

White is a graduate transfer from Arizona State with two years of eligibility remaining. He played three games in 2016 before a foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of that year and all of 2017.

Memphis must replace the dynamic passing combination that helped the Tigers produce one of their best seasons ever last year.

The Tigers believe they have enough firepower to contend for the American Athletic Conference title even without departed quarterback Riley Ferguson and receiver Anthony Miller.

Iowa State (7-5) vs. No. 19 Memphis (10-2), Dec 30, 12:30 p.m. Eastern (ABC)

Line: Memphis by 4

Series Record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Memphis is seeking its first 11-win season in school history. The Tigers went 10-0 in 1938 and 10-3 in 2014. An eighth victory would give Iowa State its highest single-season win total since a 9-3 finish in 2000. Iowa State is seeking its first bowl victory since a 14-13 Insight Bowl triumph over Minnesota on Dec. 31, 2009.

Iowa State (7-5, Big 12) vs. No. 19 Memphis (10-2, No. 20 CFP, American Athletic Conference), Dec. 30, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)

LOCATION: Memphis, Tennessee

TOP PLAYERS

Iowa State: LB Joel Lanning has a team-high 110 tackles, including 10 for loss, plus five sacks. Lanning also occasionally plays quarterback and has 34 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. He's 3 of 4 through the air for 47 yards and a touchdown.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Wide receiver Anthony Miller walked on at Memphis without a single college scholarship offer out of high school.

Riley Ferguson was a quarterback question mark after an unsuccessful stint at Tennessee, out of college football and working odd jobs before a one-year stop at a Kansas community college ultimately led him to the Tigers.

They have become one of the top QB-wideout tandems in Memphis history.

East Carolina (3-8, 2-5 American) at No. 18 Memphis (9-1, 6-1, CFP No. 20), Saturday, noon ET (ESPNU)

Line: Memphis by 28.

Series record: East Carolina 15-6.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

A seventh straight win for Memphis that keeps the Tigers cruising into the AAC title game and keeps alive a chance at a New Year's Day bowl berth.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Neither wind, nor rain or even a 57-minute delay for lightning was going to keep the No. 18 Memphis Tigers from hoisting the West Division trophy for the American Athletic Conference.

A balanced offensive attack and explosive scoring, including 21 fourth-quarter points allowed the Tigers to pull away from SMU for a 66-45 victory Saturday afternoon, sending the Tigers (9-1, 6-1, No. 21 CFP) to the conference's title game on Dec. 2.

SMU (6-4, 3-3 American), at No. 18 Memphis (8-1, 5-1, CFP No. 21), Saturday, noon ET (ESPNews)

Line: Memphis by 13.

Series record: Memphis leads 6-3.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

One win gives Memphis the American Athletic Conference's Western Division title and a spot in the league's title game Dec. 2. The Tigers also have won five straight and continuing that streak keeps them positioned to play for a berth in a New Year's Day bowl.

TULSA, Oklahoma (AP) — Riley Ferguson passed for 298 yards and four touchdowns as No. 22 Memphis shut down Tulsa's rushing attack on its way to a 41-14 victory on Friday.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Memphis turned up its defense and put away Tulsa for another runaway win.

The Tigers are rolling.

Riley Ferguson passed for 298 yards and four touchdowns, and No. 22 Memphis shut down Tulsa's rushing attack on its way to a 41-14 on Friday night.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — During a four-game winning streak that has given No. 24 Memphis the lead in the American Athletic Conference West Division, the Tigers have averaged 49.5 points and 541.5 yards total offense. Still, there's something missing.

The Tigers are still seeking more from their high-powered offense that has occasionally sputtered.

HOUSTON (AP) — Down 17 in the second half on the road, there was no panic in No. 25 Memphis.

The Tigers kept their focus and finished with a victory.

Riley Ferguson threw for 471 yards and had a 21-yard TD pass with 1:28 left, Patrick Taylor rushed for a career-high four touchdowns and Memphis rallied to beat Houston 42-38 on Thursday night.

No. 25 Memphis (5-1, 2-1 The American) at Houston (4-2, 2-1), Thursday, 8 p.m. Eastern (ESPN).

Line: Houston by 2 ½.

Series Record: Houston leads 15-10.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Memphis is ranked for the first time in two years and would take control of the American West Division with a win after defeating Navy last week. Houston is looking to rebound after its 45-17 loss at Tulsa and a win would give it control of the division.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Riley Ferguson didn't throw one, but he was certainly enjoying seeing a late-game interception Saturday.

The Memphis quarterback was watching helplessly on the sidelines as Navy took over on its 10 with 1:51 to go and an opportunity for a second-straight, last-minute victory. But Tigers defensive back Austin Hall picked off Zach Abey at the Midshipmen 33 to end the threat and secure a 30-27 upset of 25th-ranked Navy.

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson found favorite target Anthony Miller early and often on Friday night, setting records in the process.

Ferguson threw for 431 yards and seven touchdowns, four of them to Miller, as Memphis routed UConn 70-31.

Ferguson, who played just three quarters, completed 34 of 48 passes and the Tigers put up 711 yards of total offense.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Riley Ferguson threw two touchdown passes, Tony Pollard returned a kickoff 100 yards into the end zone, and Memphis continued to roll with a 44-31 victory over Southern Illinois on Saturday night.

The Tigers improve to 3-0 after upsetting then-No. 25 UCLA at home 48-45 on Sept. 16.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — UCLA and Josh Rosen came in with the reputation and the ranking. The Memphis Tigers think it is time they got some respect and notoriety.

Rosen was unable to put together a fourth-quarter comeback like he did in the opener against Texas A&M, and Memphis beat the No. 25 Bruins 48-45 on Saturday. The nationally televised game showcased a Tigers program that is 2-0 and has beaten a ranked team in each of the last three seasons.

No. 25 UCLA (2-0) at Memphis (1-0), Saturday Noon ET (ABC)

Line: UCLA by 3.

Series record: UCLA leads 1-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

A Memphis victory would probably knock UCLA out of the Top 25 and could catapult the Tigers into the rankings. Memphis also could improve its record against the Pac-12 to 2-1. The Tigers beat No. 16 Southern California 24-10 in 1991 and lost 42-35 at UCLA in 2014.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Darrell Henderson rushed for 169 yards and two long touchdowns, and Tony Pollard returned a kickoff 99 yards to lead Memphis to a 37-29 win over Louisiana Monroe in the season opener on Thursday night.

Henderson, who had just 12 carries, scored from 55 and 63 yards. Patrick Taylor had a 66-yard touchdown and finished with 131 yards on 15 carries. Both backs were at 106 yards at halftime, the first time either sophomore has topped 100 yards.