Florida State coach Mike Norvell took the Memphis program to new heights before making his way to Tallahassee.
The Tigers are 12-1 this season and have likely clinched a spot in the Cotton Bowl with their AAC Championship Game victory over Cincinnati Saturday.
The results of Norvell's tenure are undeniable with him becoming the first coach in the program's history to win 10 games twice. He hada 38-15 record at Memphis.
But just how good was Norvell at Memphis?
Here's a look at how his teams have done over the last four years.
*Note: Stats do not include the AAC Championship Game against Cincinnati. The numbers are the average or totals from the 52 games that Norvell coached at Memphis prior to the game.
Memphis offense
Points per game: 42.2
Yards per play: 6.93
Yards per pass attempt: 8.79
Yards per carry: 5.36
Sacks per game allowed: 1.9
Tackles for loss per game allowed: 6.35
Redzone TD %: 67.7
3rd down %: 44.5
Analysis: Memphis' offensive numbers under Norvell are extremely impressive.
The Tigers haven't averaged under 40 points per game or seven yards per play the last three years. They have finished eighth or better across all of college football in both categories in all three seasons.
His first year in 2016 drags the overall average down, but that "bad year" is still better than FSU has had since 2016. The 38.8 points per game in 2016 are more than FSU has averaged in a season since 2013.
The last three years, Memphis has finished no worse than 39th in sacks allowed per game after finishing 106th in Norvell's first season.
The Tigers average redzone touchdownpercentage over the last four years is the same as Alabama's redzone touchdown percentage in 2019.
Norvell's offense was good in his first season, but has been a powerhouse over the last three seasons. The Tigers have scored under 30 points in just five of the 39 games they've played in over that span.
Memphis defense
Points per game allowed: 29.4
Yards per play allowed: 5.6
Yards per pass attempt allowed: 7.08
Yards per carry allowed: 4.35
Sacks per game: 2.25
Tackles for loss per game: 6.9
Redzone TD % allowed: 64.5
3rd down % allowed: 40.5
Analysis: Memphis' defensive numbers aren't on par with the offensive numbers, but they've continuously improved under Norvell.
The yards per play the Memphis defense has allowed has dropped every year and has dropped more than half a yard since his first season.
The Tigers' defense has improved significantly this season allowing under 25 points per game and 5.16 yards per play. They do a good job ofstopping opponents in the backfield, sitting 16th in the country in tackles for loss per game (7.42).
Memphis' four-year average for tackles for loss would put the Tigers' 30th this season.
The Tigers' defense has stopped the run well the last three years allowing 4.2 yards per carry or less. The 2019 season has been the best of the bunch at 4.07 yards per attempt.
It's also the lowest number of points per game the Tigers have allowed since 2014.
Special Teams
Field goal %: 79
Yards per punt: 42.5
Yards per kickoff return: 23.98
Yards per punt return: 8.28
Yards per punt return allowed: 8.05
Yards per kickoff return allowed: 17.63
Analysis: Memphis' special teams numbers are impressive.
The Tigers' special teams unit changes games and is a weapon. The return teams have combined for 13 special teams touchdowns -- 11 kickoff returns and two punt returns --in the last four years.
The kickoff coverage unit has been one of the best in the country and the punt coverage unit has only allowed 40 of Memphis' 205 punts the last four years to be returned.
The Tigers are currently ranked as the No. 3 special teams unit in the country by ESPN's SP+ rankings.
Miscellaneous
Penalties per game: 7.4
Turnover Margin: 26
Analysis: Memphis has been one of the most penalized teams in the country under Norvell, but it's not quite at the level the Seminoles have been at in recent years.
The Tigers haven't finished better than 80th during Norvell's tenure in penalty yards per game.
What the Tigers have done well is force turnovers. The plus-26 margin that Memphis has achieved over the last four years is impressive, especially the two-year run between 2016-2017where the Tigers forced 60 turnovers.
Reach Wayne McGahee III at wmcgahee@tallahassee.com.
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