WHAT: Troy (0-1) at Memphis (1-0)

WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday

WHERE: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.

SERIES: Memphis leads 4-1

TV: None ESPNU

LINE: Memphis by 18.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If Troy can avoid an 0-2 start to the season for the first time since 2014, when it began 0-5 and finished 3-9.

RELATED: Troy looks to make season’s second ‘chapter’ better than first

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will Troy bounce back from heartbreak once again?

The Trojans’ resiliency after early-season disappointment has been a calling card of its back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championship teams. Troy lost 16-14 to James Madison after a late intentional grounding penalty last season, then won 10 straight. The Trojans lost 32-28 on a Hail Mary vs. Appalachian State in 2022, then won 11 straight. How will Troy respond after a failed 2-point play last week?

2. Can Troy’s offense avoid another pre-game lull?

The Trojans scored touchdowns on their first two drives of their season-opener vs. Nevada last week, but then got outscored 28-3 over the next 2 ½ quarters. Troy got a field goal and a touchdown to get into position to tie the game late, but missed a 2-point conversion. The Trojans can’t afford to go into an offensive shell against the powerful Tigers.

3. Will the Trojans’ run defense improve?

Troy was among the best defenses in the country against the run the last two seasons, but allowed 235 yards on the ground to Nevada. Memphis did not run the ball well at all in a 40-0 win over North Alabama last week, but didn’t really have to. The Tigers passed for 308 yards and jumped out to a 31-0 halftime lead, mostly taking the air out of the ball in the second half.

KEY MATCHUP

Memphis QB Seth Henigan vs. Troy’s secondary

A fourth-year starter, Henigan is the Tigers’ all-time leader with 11,072 yards and 81 touchdowns in his career. The Trojans’ secondary has five new starters this season, and will need to come up big for Troy to have a chance to win.

BY THE NUMBERS

19 — Players who made their first career starts on offense, defense or special teams in Troy’s season-opener vs. Nevada.