Tigers RB Asa Martin to start vs. Tulane, Rodrigues Clark available

Evan Barnes
Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis' search for a No. 1 running back continues Saturday with sophomore Asa Martin getting his first start against Tulane, per the Tigers' pregame radio show.

Martin will be the Tigers' third starting running back in as many games. Leading rusher Rodrigues Clark made the trip to New Orleans and is available to play but he's still recovering from an injury that kept him out at Navy last week.

Marquavius Weaver started against Navy and had a game-high 49 yards on 15 carries

Nov 28, 2020; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Asa Martin (28) carries the ball against the Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Martin, who has 76 yards on the season, is versatile in the passing game, as he had a 43-yard catch that set up the Tigers' lone touchdown against Navy. But the Tigers need more than a spark as they've struggled running the ball all season.

They've had three games this season with fewer than 100 rushing yards, which prompted head coach Ryan Silverfield to be blunt assessing his tailbacks.

"There's open competition down to the end of the season and then assuming all the guys come back, there's going to be open competition there.(next season)," Silverfield said. "Right now, we don't have a No. 1 running back and I've got to challenge them to continue to work to get better these next few weeks."

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com