10-22-2006, 04:24 PM
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#52
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Hall Of Fame
OVR: 23
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 16,273
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Re: "Every Man a Tiger" - A University of Memphis Dynasty (NCAA 2007)
TIGERS BLOW BY GOLDEN EAGLES
TAKE FIRST PLACE AND BECOME BOWL ELIGIBLE
Memphis, TN (AP) -- The Memphis Tigers and University of Southern Miss Golden Eagles went head to head in the proclaimed rivalry game, the "Black and Blue Bowl", Saturday evening. The Tigers didn't dissapoint their fans in Memphis as they completely obliterated the Gold Eagles 44-14.
"We just destroyed them," says captain Wesley Smith, "We hurt them in every aspect of the game and left them crying back home to momma". Smith proved once again why he is being considered as a TOP 10 defensive player for the upcoming 2006 NFL Draft, recording 6 tackles and two interceptions. Smith and the Tigers shutdown game-time favorte, RB Cody Hull to only 21 rushing yards, and dismantled QB Jeremy Young's ability to scramble, shortening him for 5.
Young's day didn't start bright, nor did it end bright. Finishing his day with only 9 completions on 32 attempts for 196 yards and one touchdown, he also threw 4 costly interceptions, including one that presented itself as the "nail in the coffin" when FS Brandon Patterson returned the interception 42 yards and the score.
Player of the Game honors went to QB Willie Hudgens, who is one of the primary reasons for the Tigers' recent success, as he lead his offense going 15 for 28 with just over 200 yards and two passing touchdowns. Hudgens also recorded 37 yards rushing on 10 attempts and a rushing touchdown.
Hudgens main target was to Freshman star WR Corey Singleton, who caught 5 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. WR Corey Robinzine received his first and only catch of the game when Hudgens threw a bullet from 24 yards for a score late in the fourth quarter.
The Golden Eagles did manage to scrape two touchdowns out of the Tigers. A miscommunication between CB Jamaal Rufus and SS Derek Clenin enabled Young to throw a 72-yard bomb for Anthony Perine for the only score of the first half for Southern Miss. Young himself would score late in the third quarter from 2 yards out after producing a nice 5 plays for 55 yard drive.
Not all the news was good news for the Memphis Tigers, however, starting RB T.J. Pitts suffered a season-ending Torn Achilles Tendon early in the 3rd quarter on an option play. It's unfortunate because Pitts was starting to show why he was considered as Tommy West's "critical mold" for the Memphis offense.
"It's just bad luck sometimes," said West, "You wonder why throughout 4 games there was no injuries in your roster - damn myself for questioning why. Losing T.J. [Pitts] is going to be just another obstacle we're going to have to get over and I'm sure we will."
In regards to the usual question: "Who Will Start Next Week?", West states that he'll go with the veteran, Joseph Doss.
"He did well coming in late today, the rest of the rushing season is his, it's up to him if he wants to take it." Doss gained 42 yards on 21 attempts and his longest gain was 10 yards.
Someone who did run very well, once, was senior WR Ryan Scott who was placed on special teams as a kick returner. After the Golden Eagles had score from Young's run, Scott received the ball off the kickoff, one juke and was gone for 83 yards and the score, taking the breath out of any possibility of a contest for the Golden Eagles to put up. Scott's kick return for a touchdown was the first of the season for the Memphis Tigers.
In one of the more bizarre plays of the game, as mentioned earlier, backup FS Brandon Patterson, playing Nickel CB, intercepted a Jeremy Young pass late in the fourth quarter. What was bizarre about the play because Patterson was the one who knocked the ball out of the air, but the ball hit the back of FS Wesley Smith - bouncing back into Patterson's hands, who returned the ball 42 yards to score a critical blow to the Golden Eagles.
With the win the Tigers take first place in the C-USA East (2nd in C-USA) and receive a bowl eligibility for the GMAC Bowl, an unlikely outcome considering how the Tigers started early in the season. According the projection,the Tigers would be facing the Western Michigan Broncos (6-3), who currently sit at the top of the MAC West (1st in MAC).
Next week, in hopes to continue the 2-game winning streak, Memphis host the only team they haven't faced in the C-USA East, the University of Central Florida Golden Knights. The Golden Knights, also 5-4 but sitting in 4th place in the C-USA East, are coming off a marginal victory over the ECU Pirates Saturday with the score of 35-7.
WEEK 11 - vs UCF (5-4)
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SCORING SUMMARY
Memphis 44, USM 17
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1st Quarter:
TD Memphis 7-0, Hudgens to Singleton 32 YD TD REC (XP)
TD Memphis 14-0, Hudgens 4 YD TD Run (XP)
TD USM 14-7, Young to Perine 72 YD TD REC (XP)
2nd Quarter:
FG Memphis 17-7, Adams 29 YD FG
3rd Quarter:
FG Memphis 20-7, Adams 33 YD FG
TD USM 20-14, Young 2 YD TD Run (XP)
TD Memphis 27-14, Scott 83 YD KR TD (XP)
4th Quarter:
TD Memphis 34-14, Hudgens to Robinzine 24 YD TD REC (XP)
FG Memphis 37-14, Adams 29 YD FG
TD Memphis 44-14, Paterson 42 YD INT RET TD (XP)
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PLAYER STATS
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MEMPHIS:
Passing - *W.Hudgens: 15/28,202yds, 2 TD - 10 rush, 37yds,TD
Rushing - J.Doss: 21rush,42yds
Receiving - C.Singleton: 5 Rec 99yds, TD
Defensive - W.Smith: 6tak, 2 INT
USM:
Passing - J.Young: 9/32,196yds,TD, 1 Rush TD
Rushing - C.Hull: 9rush, 21yds
Receiving - A.Perine: 3 Rec, 112yds, TD
Defensive - R.Watson: 5 Tak, 3 TFL, SACK
GAME REFLECTIONS
This week's GR is all about Patterson's bizarre interception.
"All I wanted to do was bat the ball away, but heck - I'll take an interception and a touchdown anyday."
Last edited by Matt10; 10-23-2006 at 01:06 AM.
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