The Memphis Tigers and NC State Wolfpack will meet this week in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The matchup closes the season for both programs after uneven but competitive regular seasons, with roster availability playing a key role in how the game shapes up.
Both teams will be without several contributors because of injuries, personnel decisions, and staff movement. NC State, in particular, enters the bowl with multiple starters unavailable on both sides of the ball.
Which Players Are Opting Out or Injured Ahead of the Gasparilla Bowl?
Memphis will not have its head coach on the sideline and is also dealing with injuries in the secondary and along the offensive line. NC State’s list is longer, featuring several players who will not participate, along with others sidelined due to injury.
Memphis Tigers
- Ryan Silverfield (Head Coach) – Not coaching after being hired by Arkansas
- Travis Burke (OT) – Injury
- Jaidyn Denis (CB) – Injury
- Chauncey Logan Jr. (CB) – Injury
NC State Wolfpack
- Justin Joly (TE) – Not participating
- Hollywood Smothers (RB) – Not participating
- Brandon Cleveland (DT) – Not participating
- Devon Marshall (CB) – Not participating
- Jacarius Peak (LT) – Not participating
- Kamen Smith (OG) – Injury
- Brody Barnhardt (SAF) – Injury
- Sean Brown (LB) – Injury
- Jamel Johnson (CB) – Injury
NC State’s absences span the offensive line, defensive front, and secondary, thinning depth across multiple position groups heading into the bowl.
How to Watch Memphis vs. NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl
The Gasparilla Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN, with kickoff scheduled for Friday afternoon from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game is set for a 2:30 p.m. ET start and is part of ESPN’s bowl season lineup.
Fans can stream the matchup live through the ESPN app or ESPN.com by logging in with a valid subscription. The ESPN team includes Anish Shroff on play-by-play, Andre Ware as analyst, and Paul Carcaterra on the sidelines.
Radio coverage will be available through both teams’ local broadcast networks for listeners following along away from a screen. The game will broadcast on 101.5 FM in Raleigh with Matt Chazanow doing the play-by-play, Johnny Evans as analyst, and Tony Haynes reporting from the sidelines. The radio broadcast can be streamed via the Varsity Network App.
With coaching changes for Memphis and a lengthy availability report for NC State, lineup clarity could have a meaningful impact on how this Gasparilla Bowl unfolds.
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