"Every Man a Tiger" - A University of Memphis Dynasty (NCAA 2007)

[Matt10]

[Matt10]

[Matt10]

Week 1 - MEMPHIS @ OLE MISS
Date and Time: 9/2/06, 12h30pm
Weather: Warm
Stadium: Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium
Surface: Sports Turf
Capacity: 60,850

MEMPHIS TIGERS (0-0)

Overall: B-
Offense: C+
Defense: B-
Impact Player: QB Martin Hankins





OLE MISS REBELS (0-0)

Overall: B
Offense: C+
Defense: B
Impact Player: LOLB Patrick Willis



*Throughout the season I'll definitely add more info such as yards and what not. Just want to get started, it's been too long.

[Matt10]

Rebels CB Trumaine McBride 'handed' the loss to the Tigers

DEFENSE WINS GAMES
TIGERS DEFEATED IN SEASON OPENER

Oxford,MS (AP) -- Don't mind the score folks, this game was alot closer than it really appeared.Both teams were matched somewhat evenly before the game and if not for the outstanding defensive display by the Rebels', the Tigers could have come away with the victory.

That said, Memphis did not come away with the victory and the key factor was in fact the three turnovers, resulting in points, by the struggling Tigers offense.

The Rebels did all the scoring in the first half, RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis finishing off a nice drive to put up the opening score from less than a yard out. The two teams played defensive football for the remainder of the first quarter. With less than three minutes left in the half, the Rebels put up another score by backup FB J.Cook from a yard out after another great drive led by QB Schaeffer. With less than ten ticks on the clock, Memphis scored after a 11 play, 67 yard drive from QB Martin Hankins, ending with a touchdown pass to WR Carlos Singleton for the Tigers' first score of the 2006 season.

The third quarter was one the Tigers offense would like to forget ,except for probably two players, Ole Miss CB Trumaine Mcbride and Memphis HB Joseph Doss, why you ask? On the first drive of the second half, the Tigers came within 20 yards of the endzone before backup RB Gaither fumbled the ball, which led to an 80-yard scamper into the endzone from McBride (pictured at top of screen).

There's a reson why Doss won't forget the third quarter either. After a superbly played option play from Hankins, Doss received the ball and raced through the open field for a 71-yard touchdown.

"It was a great feeling," says the Memphis starting RB, "To look behind and see those guys chase after me is always a rush, there's no other feeling like it."

Sadly, the Tigers defense only felt Ole Miss running back Green-Ellis' 38-yard TD run on the ensuing play. To make matters worse, the Tigers fumbled once again, this time a big hit on Hankins jarred the ball loose, resulting in "big-man on campus" DT Howard returning the fumble for 24 yards and a score.

Who says the Memphis defense sucks, how about tackin on 2 points for a safety in the opening of the fourth quarter. Back to back touchdowns by Hankins to Singleton then a 54yard pass and catch by Mario Pratcher was thought to be a catalyst for a miracle comeback by the Tigers, however the home-team Rebels would play no part.

The Tigers onside kick attempt failed, which ultimately led to a critical 3rd and 8 with the clock stopped at 48 seconds. Schaeffer didn't fool around and made probably the most critical completion of the game, hitting TE Robert Lane for a gain of 15 yards and diminishing all hope for a victory for the Tigers. It didn't ease their pain as Schaeffer himself edged into the endzone to make the score look more like a blow out of 18 points rather than just the 8.

WEEK 2 - @ #8 Oklahoma (1-0)




_______________________________________
SCORING SUMMARY
Memphis 30, Ole Miss 45
_______________________________________

1st Quarter:
TD Ole Miss 7-0,B.Green-Ellis,0 YD Run (XP)
2nd Quarter:
TD Ole Miss 14-0,J.Cook,1 YD Run (XP)
TD Memphis 14-7,Hankins to Singleton,5 YD Rec (XP)
3rd Quarter:
TD Ole Miss 21-7,T.McBride,80 YD Fumble Return (XP)
FG Ole Miss 24-7,W.Moseley,44 YD FG
TD Memphis 24-14,J.Doss,71 YD Run (XP)
TD Ole Miss 31-14,B.Gren-Ellis,36 YD Run (XP)
TD Ole Miss 38-14,H.Howard,24 YD Fumble Return (XP)
4th Quarter:
SAFETY Memphis 38-16
TD Memphis 38-23,Hankins to Singleton,11 YD Rec (XP)
TD Memphis 38-30,Hankins to Pratcher,54 YD Rec (XP)
TD Ole Miss 45-30,Schaeffer,18 YD Run (XP)
_______________________________________
PLAYER STATS
_______________________________________

OLE MISS:
Passing - B.Schaeffer: 9/18,109yds-6rush 23yds,TD
Rushing - B.Green-Ellis: 7rush 54yds,2 TD
Receiving - B.Wallace: 3rec 47yds
Defensive - *P.Willis: 4tak,2 TFL

MEMPHIS:
Passing - *M.Hankins: 17/27,240yds,3 TD-6rush 20yds
Rushing - J.Doss: 15rush 119yds,TD
Receiving - C.Singleton: 2rec 16yds,2 TD
Defensive - D.Clenin: 7tak,TFL,FF




GAME REFLECTIONS

"It felt great to run in the open field like that.." - Memphis RB Joseph Doss on his 71-yard TD he can't get over


"Kid just got layed out, Sonnn!" - Willis on his laying out of backup RB Jamarcus Gaither


"Whats there to reflect on, he scored, he shouldn't have" - McBride is hard on himself, but was harder as he dished out punishment on Singleton

2006 ESPN/USA Today Poll Top 10
ESPN/SportsTicker
Through Week 1

1.Texas (1-0) 1600pts
2.Notre Dame (1-0) 1527pts
3.Ohio State (1-0) 1457pts
4.Florida (1-0) 1320pts
5.West Virginia (1-0) 1254pts
6.USC (1-0) 1254pts
7.LSU (1-0) 1189pts
8.Auburn (1-0) 1125pts
9.Penn State (1-0) 1003pts
10.Oklahoma (1-0) 1003pts

2006 ESPN/USA Today Heisman Watch
ESPN/SportsTicker
Through Week 1

1.QB Brady Quinn- Notre Dame - 17/21,235yds,4TD
2.HB Adrian Peterson- Oklahoma - 26rush,179yds,TD
3.QB Troy Smith- Ohio State - 18/31,214yds,3 Total TDs
4.QB Chris Leak- Florida - 21/30,391yds,6TD
5.WR Steve Smith- USC - 7rec,107yds,3TD

C-USA (EAST) Conference Standings
Through Week 1

1. ECU - (0-1)@ Navy - L 17-20
2. UAB - (0-1)@ #8Oklahoma - L 21-39
3. UCF - (1-0)vs 1AA East - W 45-13
4. Memphis - (0-1)@ Ole Miss - L 30-45
5. Marshall - (0-1)vs #9WVU - L 3-42
6. Southern Miss - (0-1)@ #6Florida - L 10-44

[Matt10]

Week 2 - MEMPHIS @ #6 OKLAHOMA

Date and Time: 9/9/06, 3h30pm
Weather: Warm
Surface: Field Grass

Record: 0-1

Last Game: @Ole Miss, L 30-45

Player Watch: QB Martin Hankins, Hankins put up over 240 yards passing against a tough Rebels defense, expect him to do the same to the unsure Oklahoma defense.

Grades: OVR(B-),OFF(C+),DEF(B-)

Coach Comments: "We are here because we want to be. We want this game and we will let noone get in our way of taking it. Last weeks game was a strong showing of what we're capable of and this game won't be any different, except we'll touch home with a 'W'".



Record: 1-0

Last Game: vs UAB, W 38-21

Player Watch: RB Adrian Peterson, Peterson showed why he's considered a top Heisman choice with just over 175yards carrying on 26 carries and one touchdown last week against a strong UAB side, he won't lighten up on the Tigers much, expect him to go over 190 against the week Tiger defense.

Grades: OVR(B),OFF(B-),DEF(B+)

Coach Coments: "I think we faced the toughest C-USA team last week in UAB, Memphis shouldn't be too much of a challenge. I'm excited to have my team back together (referring to QB Rhett Bomar's return after being dismissed in pre-season) and this will be a time for the boys to really shine and hopefully put up a couple hundred points."

[Matt10]

Currently I have 17 total signed up recruits from MM and MN.If anyone wants to join the recruiting classes of the report, please fill out the following form. I stress that depending on your age, that is when you will be entered into the recruiting area. Remember, this is not to be only recruited by Memphis, but by other schools as well - I do not control your future.

NAME:
AGE:
HOMETOWN:
POSITION:
HEIGHT:
WEIGHT:
SKIN COLOR:

[Matt10]

Another CB in the overlay, another loss for the Tigers

SOOOONer OF A BIT*H!!
TURNOVERS - WAIT - THATS "SOONERS" PREVAIL OVER TIGERS

Norman,OK (AP) -- It was another day on the road for the Memphis Tigers and the bus ride home's Meal of the Day didn't go down too nicely. The final scoreline wasn't necessarily a blowout of sorts, the Sooner fans actually applauded as the Tigers left the field, which showed a gruesome battle had been played, yet...something just doesn't feel right.

A record-high for Turnovers was displayed between the two teams, 4 for Oklahoma and a blistering 9 for the Memphis Tigers.

"No team can win with 9 turnovers," says a distraught Head Coach Tommy West,"You have to execute a plan when you get out there, there is no plan for 6 fumbles and 3 interceptions...but then again there's no way to plan for that defense (Oklahoma), they're just...just monsters.."

"Monsters" would be putting it lightly in regards to the Sooners "D". Sophomore CB Reggie Smith was unstoppable. Named player of the game, Smith piled up 3 simple tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, oh and two interceptions. Smith's beating on QB Martin Hankins was so brutal, that Hankins was required by medical officials to stay in Norman for the night so he could get checked out for any concussions or contusions.

As for the game itself it started off with a bang, the only way the Sooners could,right? On the very first play of the game, a comeback route gone wrong left Memphis QB Hankins throwing to a wide open....Reggie Smith of the Sooners, who returned the ball up to the 20 yard line, which on the ensuing position, let Adrian Peterson razzle-dazzle his way in for the first score of the game; not one minute had passed.

Oklahoma's onslaught of 24 total points in the first quarter alone didn't seem to phase the Memphis players. For some reason, the Tigers came back, somehow, putting up some good drives on offense and great plays on defense. Junior MLB Heath Grant of the Tigers, proved his starting worth, racking up 2 interceptions in the game and 6 tackles.

"Someone had to step up," says the Tigers' #37, "If it had to be me to inspire these guys, then it had to be. I don't go ga-ga over seeing Adrian Peterson run, I don't care, I want to knock him out."

Oklahoma's star RB Adrian Peterson didn't exactly get knocked out, nor did he knock anyone else out, his somewhat quiet game yielded quiet results, he had 19 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, but also lined up as a wide receiver late in the 2nd half for 64 yard touchdown score.

Hankins had his day in the sun for two plays, actualy three but he probably doesn't want to remember it - why you ask? The Tigers, somehow, had momentum in their favor in the second half. Hankins begins what ends up being a 60 yard drive, with 5 yards left into the endzone. On 3rd and 5 - Hankins rushes out of the pocket, dives for the pielines, but just before he gets airborne, the ball gets slapped away, trickilning into the endzone without Hankins - surely two of his Widereceivers could jump on it.

Well, they didn't and out came Oklahoma with Hankins ball.

Hankins will hopefully be throwing the ball next week in Greenville,NC against the Pirates of ECU (1-1), but diagnosis on his injuries still remain unknown. If the Tigers are without their starting QB next week, rumor has it that Hometown favorite Will Hudgens (Soph) will be given the starting role. Hudgens played for a bit last season before reinjuring his leg.

WEEK 3 - @ ECU (1-1)




_______________________________________
SCORING SUMMARY
Memphis 14, Oklahoma 34
_______________________________________

1st Quarter:
TD Oklahoma 7-0,A.Peterson,9 YD Run (XP)
TD Oklahoma 14-0,J.Gutierrez,25 YD Run (XP)
FG Oklahoma 17-0,G.Hartley,44 YD FG
TD Oklahoma,24-0,R.Smith,42 YD INT Ret TD (XP)
2nd Quarter:
FG Oklahoma,27-0,G.Hartley,34 YD FG
TD Memphis 27-7,Hankins to Singleton,3 YD Rec (XP)
TD Oklahoma 34-7,Bomar to Peterson,64 YD Rec (XP)
3rd Quarter:
TD Memphis 34-14,Hankins to Scott,18 YD Rec (XP)
4th Quarter:

_______________________________________
PLAYER STATS
_______________________________________

OKLAHOMA:
Passing - R.Bomar: 10/30,219yds,TD,4 INT
Rushing - A.Peterson: 19rush 62yds,TD - 2 Rec 85yds TD
Receiving - M.Kelly: 2 Rec 93yds
Defensive - R.Smith: 3tak,TFL,2 Sack,FF,2 INT - TD

MEMPHIS:
Passing - M.Hankins: 18/32,192yds,2 TD,3 INT
Rushing - J.Doss: 14rush,33yds
Receiving - B****ssell: 4 Rec 67yds
Defensive - H.Grant: 6tak,TFL,2 INT




GAME REFLECTIONS

"First play of the game, first INT of the game,baby!" - Reggie Smith is deep.


"Someone had to make a play, we needed the momentum." - Heath Grant on his second interception of the game.


"Teeeheee...nobody saw me until I was in the endzone..." - That's just not fair.

2006 ESPN/USA Today Poll Top 10
ESPN/SportsTicker
Through Week 2

1.Ohio State (2-0) 1603pts
2.Notre Dame (2-0) 1558pts
3.Florida (2-0) 1303pts
4.West Virginia (2-0) 1239pts
5.USC (1-0) 1239pts
6.LSU (2-0) 1176pts
7.Auburn (2-0) 1114pts
8.Texas (1-1) 1100pts
9.Oklahoma (2-0) 995pts
10.Michigan (2-0) 881pts

2006 ESPN/USA Today Heisman Watch
ESPN/SportsTicker
Through Week 2

1.QB Brady Quinn- Notre Dame - 34/46,403yds,8TD -Week2: vs PSU W(38-17)
2.HB Adrian Peterson- Oklahoma - 45rush,241yds,2TD,5Rec,115yds,TD -Week2: vs MEM W(34-14)
3.QB Troy Smith- Ohio State - 31/60,402yds,30rush,140yds,5 Total TD -Week2: at Texas W(34-24)
4.QB Chris Leak- Florida - 39/71,645yds,10TD,18rush,81yds -Week2: vs UCF W(45-10)
5.WR Early Doucet- LSU - 13Rec,118yds,5TD -Week2: vs AZ W(48-7)

C-USA (EAST) Conference Standings
Through Week 2

1. ECU - (1-1)@ UAB - W 31-26
2. Southern Miss - (1-1)vs SE - W 49-6
3. UCF - (1-1)at #5Florida - L 10-45
4. Marshall - (1-1)vs East - W 40-3
5. Memphis - (0-2)@ #7Oklahoma - L 14-34
6. UAB - (0-2)vs ECU - L 26-31

[Matt10]

Week 3 - MEMPHIS @ EASTERN CAROLINA

WR Aundrae Allison will be the main go to man this game for the Pirates.

Date and Time: 9/16/06, 3h30pm
Weather: Cool
Surface: Field Grass

Record: 0-2

Last Game: @Oklahoma, L 14-34

Player Watch: QB Martin Hankins, Hankins will be watched not because of his recent play in Oklahoma - but rather his mild concussion suffered against the Sooners in Norman last weekend. Hankins has been given the clean bill of health and it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers the young man can put up.

Grades: OVR(B-),OFF(C+),DEF(B-)

Coach Comments: "It's time to jot down that first W."

Injuries: None



Record: 1-1

Last Game: at UAB, W 31-26

Player Watch: WR Aundrae Allison, The captain will have to step up big time in this one. Without star RB Chris Johnson, the Pirates are going to have to throw it up against the weaker pass defense of the Tigers. Allison will be calling for the ball on every down and look for him to put up some big numbers.
Grades: OVR(B-),OFF(B-),DEF(C)

Coach Coments: "After a big win last week, we're feeling good. There's no question we are going to send the Tigers home with their tails between their legs."

Injuries: RB Chris Johnson (JR) - Knee Bruse - 2 Weeks