Offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey met with the media Tuesday to discuss a handful of topics including the Memphis quarterback room and the role the backup quarterbacks will play with the injury to Brenden Lewis.

The Memphis quarterbacks have been a topic of conversation all season, but with Lewis being banged up over the last few games, Cramsey was asked about what went into deciding which backup quarterback to insert into a game.

Here’s what Tim Cramsey said:

“It’s the situation that we’re in in that game. You go back to the UAB game, we were trailing, so that was going to be a stand in the pocket and spin the game around. I thought with what Tulane was doing, they were generating their pass rush. I thought having a little bit more of an athletic quarterback there was better for us. Then, you could sneak a QB run in there at times. To me that’s why that situation went on. Arrington was playing well. His percentage, as to him not playing well and AJ [Hill] going into the game, is equal. That was a decision that was made on Friday night.”

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All three quarterbacks have seen game action throughout the season, but most people’s big question going into the year for this team was regarding the backup quarterback position. Memphis fans didn’t learn who QB No. 2 was until Arrington Maiden entered the fourth game of the season against Arkansas.

The redshirt freshman only entered the contest for one play, but it turned into one of the biggest plays of the game when Maiden picked up the game-sealing first down on an 11-yard run.

While Maiden got the first nod off the bench, the coaching staff turned to the true freshman Antwann Hill Jr. three games later when Lewis left with an injury against UAB. Hill went 13-for-25 for 175 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the team’s first loss of the season.

It’s clear that the Tigers have two different options behind Lewis that the coaching staff is confident in. Hill is more of a pocket-passing quarterback that will hurt opposing teams solely with his arm, while Maiden is a more athletic option that can hurt defenses with his legs. 

Hill has a lot of hype surrounding him after choosing the Tigers over Florida before his senior year at Houston County. The former four-star has only appeared in one game this season, so the Tigers aren’t in danger of burning his redshirt if they decide to play him in either of the final two regular season games. 

It’s unclear if Lewis will play Saturday afternoon against East Carolina, and it will be interesting to see which quarterback Cramsey turns to if the Tigers are in need of a starter.