Memphis moves MTSU game to renew rivalry

The University of Louisville and Memphis will renew their old rivalry in football with a new series beginning this season, but the game will delay a return trip for Middle Tennessee to the Bluff City.

The Cardinals will play at Memphis on Oct. 10, with the Tigers returning to Louisville in 2010. The two teams used to play in Conference USA before U of L left for the Big East Conference in 2005.

“People really miss that game, and I think they will be excited to see it happen again,” Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said last night.

The Tigers had a full slate of games for 2008 but agreed to move a home game with MTSU to make the Louisville series happen. Johnson said the scheduled game was moved back to at least 2012. Memphis and MTSU are scheduled to play in Murfreesboro in 2009.

Johnson said ESPN, which will televise the game on one of its network, first approached Memphis about playing Louisville a few months ago. He said he and Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich have a good relationship and keep in frequent contact.

The two sides had initially discussed playing a third game in Nashville, and Johnson said he remains open to the idea.