Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Carlos Singleton hauls in one of his 6 receptions on the day, 2 of which resulted in TDs


Memphis defenders were no match for WR Toren Dixon

Still Not Enough
Tigers blow 28-14 lead, surrender 27 straight points in home opener

MEMPHIS, TN -- In the waning moments before halftime of Memphis' 2008 Conference-USA opener, it was looking as if the bleeding from last week's loss in Oxford had finally stopped.

That is, until the third quarter when travis a.d.'s Tiger defense self destructed for the second consecutive week, allowing nearly 300 yards of offense in the second half and watching a game which they once led by two TD's quickly become out of reach.

"This is already getting really, really old", a noticeably frustrated travis a.d. exclaimed during the post-game press conference, "Something needs to hurry up and change or it may already be time to make some changes on defense".

QB Chase Clement walked all over Memphis' secondary, accounting for 4 TD's and nearly 400 yards through the air. Player of the Game honors for Memphis went to red-shirt Junior Carlos Singleton, who caught 2 TD passes, both coming in the 1st quarter, and totalled 132 receiving yards.

However, Clement wasn't the only QB that had a solid night. Arkelon Hall quietly connected for 3 TD passes in the first half and concluded the night with a 217 yard performance.

Memphis once again lost the turnover battle, as 2 fumbles and an INT shot down any chance of momentum and completely kept them off the scoreboard in the second half.

Next week the Tigers are off to Hungtington, West Virginia where the Marshall Thundering Herd await.

"Marshall better watch out", travis a.d. added, "Next week they will be up against a very angry coach who refuses to start the season 0-3".

First Quarter
5:17: L. Mathis, returned INT 27 yds (M. Reagan kick)
4:08: T. Dixon, 14 yd pass from C. Clement (C. Fangmeier kick)
3:10: C. Singleton, 67 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
2:53: C. Ugokwe, 80 yd pass from. C. Clement (C. Fangmeier kick)
0:30: C. Singleton, 43 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Raegan kick)

Second Quarter
5:09: T. Pitts, 43 yd pass from. A. Hall (M. Raegan kick)
4:17: J. Welch, 22 yd pass from C. Clement (C. Fangemeier kick)
2:40: C. Fangmeier, 26 yd FG
0:35: C. Fangmeier, 33 yd FG

Third Quarter
5:08: J. Casey, 23 yd pass from C. Clement (2-pt)
2:02: C. Fangmeiser, 39 yd FG

Fourth Quarter
4:15: C. Fangmeier, 37 yd FG

Around the Conference USA
Week 2 Results
Wisconsin 17, Marshall 10
Southern Methodist 35, FCS West 9
Oklahoma State 49, Houston 17
Auburn 45, Southern Miss 14
Alabama 31, Tulana 7
Tulsa 35, North Texas 19
West Virginia 37, East Carolina 24
Alabama-Birmingham 30, Florida Atlantic 17
Texas 41, Texas-El Paso 3
South Florida 27, Central Florida 14

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Recruiting Update
Memphis Receives First Hard Commit of this Dynasty

MEMPHIS, TN -- I won't lie, I'm not sure exactly how or why this happened. But somehow travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers received their first commitment from a recruit in 2008, just 2 weeks into the season.

CB Leonard Doolin from Jackson, MS must have been pretty desperate to play football when he committed to Memphis following two embarrassing losses to begin the 2008 campaign. The 119th nationally ranked CB is a 2-star prospect with less-than-stellar numbers highlighted by a B+ SPD and B+ ACC rating.

Doolin was sold on Program Tradition, Coach Experience, and Coach Prestige.

The irony?

Well, beside the obvious fact that my coaching career spans just two games, both of which were rather lopsided losses, I wouldn't exactly consider Memphis a school loaded with tradition.

"Either way, we'll take it", said travis a.d. "After this season we will be losing two CBs to graduation, and be left with a relatively young lineup at that position. At this point I am willing to take what I can get".

Leonard Doolin
Position: Cornerback
Caliber:
Hometown: Jackson, MS
Ratings: D+ OVR, B+ SPD, B AWR, B- JMP
Pitch: Coach Experience, Coach Prestige, Program Tradition
Top 3 Schools: Memphis, Wake Forest, Texas Christian

[Cane_Mutiny]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Wow, very nice start (to the thread, I mean - the actual season looks a little bleak ). I'll be following this one - good luck with the dynasty.

By the way, it's good to see another Marlins fan on the boards. Cheers to the new stadium!

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Duke Calhoun celebrates with Steven Black after his 1st quarter touchdown reception


Steven Black played an integral role in Memphis' first win of this dynasty

'Bout Darn Time!
Memphis holds off late charge, cruises to first victory of dynasty

HUNTINGTON, WV -- Fans of the once-powerful Marshall Thundering Herd football program were silenced when the Memphis Tigers came to town, hungry--make that, starving--for their first win of the travis a.d. era.

If the EA developers had never become so lazy that they removed the Gatorade-bath cut scene from the NCAA Football series, you can bet that coach travis a.d. have been both soaked and sticky walking off the sideline on Sept. 13.

Starting QB Arkelon Hall appeared to be having yet another solid performance, completing 7-of-9 passes for 108 yards and a TD in the first half. That is, until he was sidelined for the remainder of the game when he was sacked on just the second play of the second half.

"It looked a lot more severe than it turned out to be", travis a.d. said after the game. "We were lucky he only had to miss the rest of this game and that he will be healthy by next week".

From there on the torch was passed on to second-string Senior Will Hudgens, who impressed his coaching staff in his first on-field appearance of the season.

Hudgens completed a pair of touchdown passes during his tenure in the second half, connecting on 10 of his 18 passing attempts.

"It's good to know that if he is needed again in the future, our backup-man has the skill set to carry this offense".

The Tigers' biggest story of the day arguably may have been on the defensive side, however.

Sophomore Winston Bowens absolutely beat-up Marshall's offensive line, taking down QB Mark Cann 3 times, as well as racking up 6 tackles-for-loss and 9 total tackles on the afternoon.

"Winston definitely made his presence felt today. If it weren't for him who knows, the tables may have turned and we might have been on the losing end of the scoreboard".

First Quarter
3:27: S. Black, 18 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
2:33: M. Cann, 6 yd run (C. Ratanamorn kick)

Second Quarter
5:54: M. Reagan, 21 yd FG
2:13: C. Ratanamorn, 37 yd FG
0:18: M. Reagan, 29 yd FG

Third Quarter
4:32: S. Black, 23 yd pass from W. Hudgens (M. Reagan kick)
1:57: C. Singleton, 31 yd pass from W. Hudgens (M. Raegan kick)

Fourth Quarter
5:41: M. Cann, 3 yd run (C. Ratanamorn kick)
3:07: M. Reagan, 19 yd FG
0:18: D. Marshall, 10 yd run (C. Ratanamorn kick)


Around the Conference-USA
Week 3 Results
Southern Mississippi 38, Arkansas State 35 OT
East Carolina 49, Tulane 10
Tennessee 49, Alabama-Birmingham 3
Vanderbilt 49, Rice 14
Houston 35, Air Force 31
Texas Tech 52, Southern Methodist 20

Heisman Watch

Tim Tebow, Florida, QB, Junior
Last Game: vs. Miami, FL (W 45-42)
19-for-28, 299 yards, 5 TD, 9 carries, 41 yards

Chase Daniel, Missouri, QB, Senior
Last Game: vs. Nevada (W 51-21)
24-for-37, 348 yards, 17 carries, 68 yards, 6 total TD

Percy Harvin, Florida, WR, Junior
Last Game: vs. Miami, FL (W 45-42)
7 receptions, 129 yards

Graham Harrell, Texas Tech, WR, rSenior
Last Game: vs. Southern Methodist (W 52-20)

Colt McCoy, Texas, QB, rJunior
Last Game: vs. Arkansas (W 52-7)
INJURED – out 9 weeks

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Senior Tony Bell jars the ball loose as he takes down HB #3

Carlos Singleton hauls in a first-quarter TD pass from Arkelon Hall

Piece of Cake!
Memphis claims second straight victory, this one against lowly FCS Southeast

MEMPHIS, TN -- This one is honestly not even worth writing an article about. Memphis racked up nearly 500 yards in a rainy, stat-padding, 47-3 blowout against Nicholls State (uh, I mean FCS Southeast....).

Travis a.d. brought in offensive and defensive reserves midway through the third quarter.

"No point in hurting your best players in a game that will so obviously result in a W".

Instead of writing out a lengthy report, I will just post a couple more screenshots than I normally would. Enjoy:

The QB gets sacked...what else would you expect from an FCS team?

Who exactly was Nicholls State's QB trying to throw to here?

Please also note that this will be the only time in this dynasty that I schedule an FCS opponent. The only reason this one slipped through the cracks was because I forgot to change it on the schedule before I eagerly started my first game of this dynasty. D'OH!

First Quarter
2:50: C. Singleton, 4 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
0:56: T. Pitts, 19 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick()

Second Quarter
4:21: M. Reagan, 22 yd FG
1:48: K #18, 21 yd FG
0:00 M. Reagan, 42 yd FG

Third Quarter
5:36: T. Pitts, 62 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
0:56: T. Pitts, 1 yd run (M. Reagan kick)

Fourth Quarter
3:16: D. Calhoun, 3 yd pass from A. Hall (missed kick)
0:00: C. Steele, 91 yd run (M. Reagan kick)

Around the Conference-USA
Week 4 Results
Alabama-Birmingham 31, FCS Southeast 6
Texas 31, Rice 9
UL-Monroe 38, Tulane 26
Houston 30, Colorado State 17
Boston College 27, Central Florida 15
East Carolina 48, North Carolina State 21
Southern Mississippi 27, Marshall 16
Texas-El Paso 35, New Mexico State 28
Tulsa 42, New Mexico 30
Texas Christian 44, Southern Methodist 14

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

T.J. Pitts continues to be a dual-threat, with 2 rushing TD and a receiving TD against Arkansas State


Brandon Thompkins gave the Memphis secondary problems all day long

Third Time Not the Charm
Tigers fall short of third straight win at the hands of Arkansas State

MEMPHIS, TN -- A three-touchdown, 157-yard performance from HB T.J. Pitts was not enough to carry Memphis to their third victory in as many games as they fell to the Arkansas State Red Wolves (Indians?) two days before coach travis a.d.'s 20th birthday.

"A three-game winning streak would have been enough of a birthday present from the guys. Since they fell short I now expect them to take me out for an expensive dinner Monday night instead".

Junior Corey Leonard spoiled the Memphis' coach's plans by throwing for 355 yards and three scores. For the third game this season, the shaky Tigers defense did not come up with an interception.

"The first five games of this season have been robo-QB at its finest", stated travis a.d. following Saturday's 7-point loss, "even the FCS Southeast QB was completing far too many passes against us. What a joke!"

On a positive note, the Hall/Pitts combo on offense continued to dominate, accounting for all 4 of Memphis' scores against Arkansas State. Hall threw for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first and third quarters respectively.

"It is very comforting to know that as long as those two stay healty, they still have another year before they graduate. That is, unless they try and enroll in the draft a year early, in which case I plan to do everything in my power to pursuade them to stay".

Memphis had trouble stopping the Wolves from scoring once inside the red zone. An 80% red zone percentage from Arkansas State clearly exposed the glaring weaknesses in Memphis' defense.

"Our defensive backs could use some serious work. That is where recruiting comes in. Not to worry though, I have had my eye on a few prospects for quite some time that should help us immenesly sometime down the road".

First Quarter
4:59 D. Calhoun, 20 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
3:41: B. Thompkins, 25 yd pass from C. Leonard (J. Arauco kick)
0:48: T. Pitts, 2 yd run (M. Reagan kick)

Second Quarter
3:59 K. Jones, 25 yd pass from C. Leonard (J. Arauco kick)
1:39: J. Arauco, 33 yd FG

Third Quarter
5:10: J. Arauco, 21 yd FG
4:56: T. Pitts, 25 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
3:32: D. McNeal, 2 yd run (2-Pt failed)

Fourth Quarter
3:20: T. Pitts, 6 yd run (2-Pt failed)
2:05 J. Norman, 6 yd pass from C. Leonard (2-Pt)


Around the Conference-USA
Week 5 Results
North Texas 38, Rice 16
West Virginia 56, Marshall 7
South Carolina 27, Alabama-Birmingham 7
Tulane 40, Southern Methodist 25
East Carolina 42, Houston 3
Central Florida 45, Texas-El Paso 0
Tulsa 56, FCS Midwest 0

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Wow, very nice start (to the thread, I mean - the actual season looks a little bleak ). I'll be following this one - good luck with the dynasty.

By the way, it's good to see another Marlins fan on the boards. Cheers to the new stadium!

haha, thank you man!

and i didn't even realize other marlins fans existed in this world. only problem i see is that you and i have slightly differing opinions when it comes to college football teams.

only kidding, thanks for following!

[WWF80sKid]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

I'm following. This is interesting.

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Not the least bit rattled by the Ice the Kicker effects, Matt Reagan kicks the game-winner


Curtis Steele picked up much of the offensive slack while T.J. Pitts was sidelined



Ice In His Veins!
Junior kicker prevents overtime, cuts short UAB comeback

BIRMINGHAM, AL -- travis a.d. was not willing to accept fourth quarter defeat for the second week in a row.

Instead he received his second proverbial Gatorade-shower of the still young 2008 season, at the conclusion of a thrilling Battle of the Bones rivalry with Alabama-Birmingham in which the Tigers once held a 14-point advantage.

In fact, things looked to be wrapped up midway through the fourth quarter with the Tigers once again flirting with the red zone while holding a relaxing 21-7 lead over the struggling Blazers

That is, until the sloppy Memphis offense committed their fifth turnover of the contest, an Arkelon Hill fumble while attempting to run a speed option on first down.

"This game should have been a blowout, I am talking 35-7: somewhere along those lines".

But the Blazers were having none of that theory, when, on the ensuing play after takeaway #5 of the evening, UAB QB Joe Webb found receiver Frantrell Forrest as a result of a blown coverage and, 89 yards later, the Blazers were within 7 points of a tie game.


With 2:00 left on the clock, all the Tigers needed to secure the victory was a single first down on their next drive.

But of course, thanks to EA's "Comeback A.I." (deny it all day long EA, I still say it exists), the UAB defense held them to a three-and-out and forced a Joe Reagan punt.

Surely, with barely a minute left in the game, we could hold them from scoring a TD and escape with a W.

Think again.

A seemingly flawless 80 yard march down the field by the home team ensued and before travis a.d.' even knew it, UAB was lined up for the game-tying extra point with 0:25 left.

"I was about ready to throw this controller at the TV screen", travis a.d. began, "fortunately my investment in a 32-inch flat screen made me think twice about that one".

And so instead of playing for the inevitable overtime the ol' ball coach decided to take a shot downfield and hope for the best.

Arkelon Hall did not disappoint.

On the first play of Memphis' drive the Fresno, CA-born QB who ended the night with 340 yards and 4 TDS, launched a prayer downfield and, somehow, WR Brett Russell lept up and came down with a 46-yard reception.

This miracle set up a 32-yard field goal to either win the game or take it to OT.

"Naturally, my hands were shaking from both the excitement and nervousness".

Reagan, who's only missed field goal of the season came from 28 yards out in the second quarter of this very game, lined up for the kick and the inevitable "Ice the Kicker" attempt by the CPU.

And the kick split the uprights.

First Quarter
0:43: C. Steele, 1 yd run (M. Reagan kick)

Second Quarter
5:47: J. Webb, 2 yd run (S. Waters kick)
2:54: S. Black, 5 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
0:36: J. Weaver, returned interception 42 yards (M. Reagan kick)

Fourth Quarter
2:00: F. Forrest, 89 yd pass from J. Webb (S. Waters kick)
0:25: R. Slaughter, 0 yd pass from J. Webb (S. Waters kick)
0:00: M. Reagan, 32 yd FG – WOOHOO!


Around the Conference-USA
Week 6 Results
Cincinnati 35, Marshall 16
Southern Methodist 28, Central Florida 20
Army 24, Tulane 10
Southern Mississippi 37, Texas-El Paso 29
Tulsa 49, Rice 10

[stlstudios189]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

I like this keep it up

[Cane_Mutiny]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

haha, thank you man!

and i didn't even realize other marlins fans existed in this world. only problem i see is that you and i have slightly differing opinions when it comes to college football teams.

only kidding, thanks for following!

Ha, yeah, I wasn't gonna point that out, but oh well. I've always had respect for the Noles at least - unlike those chickenGators over in Hicksville.

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Ha, yeah, I wasn't gonna point that out, but oh well. I've always had respect for the Noles at least - unlike those chickenGators over in Hicksville.

well at least we can both agree on that.

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Recruiting Update
A whole slew of recruits to visit Memphis during biggest game of season

MEMPHIS, TN -- travis a.d. must have some pretty high hopes for his boys to pull of a second consecutive upset, this week against Big East powerhouse Louisville.

21, count 'em, twenty-one, prospects are slated to tour the Memphis campus as well as Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium during the seventh week of the 2008 season.

"The players received a huge boost in morale and confidence after holding off UAB on the road last week"; a game in which the Tigers were pretty significant underdogs.

The first-year coach hopes that this plethora of potential Memphis commits will be impressed enough to commit to his program if the Tigers are able to give the Louisville Cardinals a run for their money in front of a nationally-televised audience Friday night, October 10th.

Since there are so many prospects visiting during the same week (thanks, EA for all the fabulous recruiting glitches), here is a simple breakdown of the caliber of talent that will be in the stands personally watching my Tigers receive a thrashing from Louisville:

: 1
: 2
: 18

[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

Louisville's Robo-QB had no problem finding WR Doug Beaumont


Hunter Cantwell was absolutely disgusting in this game, with 400+ yards through the air

In a Word: Embarrassing
Defense looks absolutely silly in lopsided loss to Louisville

MEMPHIS, TN -- The chance of becoming bowl-eligible in travis a.d.'s first year became that much slimmer on Friday night, October 10, 2008 as a result of a 45-20 walloping by the Louisville Cardinals.

"Another day, another unstoppable QB", began travis a.d., "There's almost nothing you can do to get any defensive momentum going in this game. Wide-Open Gameplay is a joke".

Senior Hunter Cantwell might as well have been throwing passes in his sleep. His 4 TD, 419 yard performance had Memphis' personell beyond frustrated all game long. And to make matters worse, Memphis was unable to come up with a single takeaway.

"I think it is pretty safe to say I will be tweaking my sliders before the start of the 2009 season"

Louisville took the lead a mere 1:08 into the first quarter when Doug Beaumont caught a 28 yard TD pass from Cantwell.

And they never looked back.

Beaumont, who accounted for 182 receiving yards, was clearly Cantwell's favorite target all game long. He ended the night with a pair of scores.

On the other end of the sideline, Arkelon Hall had a solid night himself, albeit for the 3 errant INTs he tossed. He managed 238 yards through the air but was only able to find the end zone on the ground. The junior showcased his quick feet and scored a pair of short rushing TDs to relatively keep his team in the game.

Hall's 8 yard TD rush early in the third quarter narrowed the score to 24-17, but Cantwell led his troops down the field quickly on the following drive which was capped off with a 2 yard score by FB Brock Bolen.

Cantwell's third and fourth TD passes in the fourth quarter merely added insult to injury. Memphis once again lost the turnover battle and once again dropped below .500, to a 3-4 record. The Tigers' remaining 5 games on the schedule are all against C-USA opponents.

"The road isn't getting any easier", travis. a.d. sighed. "Next week we go on the road against East Carolina. Making the post season is going to be a stretch this year".

First Quarter
4:52: D. Beaumont, 28 yd pass from H. Cantwell (C. Philpott kick)
3:38: A. Hall, 3 yd run (M. Reagan kick)
0:28: B. Powell, 16 yd run (C. Philpott kick)

Second Quarter
5:33: D. Beaumont, 80 yd pass from H. Cantwell (C. Philpott kick)
2:27: C. Philpott, 52 yd FG
0:00: M. Reagan, 36 yd FG

Third Quarter
4:01: A. Hall, 8 yd run (M. Reagan kick)
2:22: B. Bolen, 2 yd run (C. Philpott kick)
0:31: M. Reagan, 30 yd FG

Fourth Quarter
5:23: B. Bolen, 8 yd pass from H. Cantwell (C. Philpott kick)
1:45: J. Tronzo, 1 yd pass from H. Cantwell (C. Philpott kick)

Around the Conference-USA
Week 7 Results
Tulsa 36, Southern Methodist 14
Alabama-Birmingham 20, Houston 17
East Carolina 47, Virginia 10
Texas-El Paso 31, Tulane 17
Miami, FL 35, Central Florida 6
Southern Mississippi 21, Boise State 18





[travis a.d.]

Re: Better Late Than Never: travis a.d.'s Memphis Tigers (NCAA 09)

ECU defenders can't take down T.J. Pitts as he scurries for the endzone

One of Steven Black's two TD catches against the Pirates

.500 Once Again

Impressive second half leads Tigers to shocking win over Pirates

GREENVILLE, NC -- Nobody saw this one coming.

In a rather one-sided affair, the Memphis Tigers improved to 4-4 on a 2008 season which began with a "bleak" look.

"Maybe I will keep these sliders after all", a more-than satisfied travis a.d. commented after a 41-21 thrashing of one of the stronger Conference-USA teams, in their home stadium to boot.

Much of the credit for the strong offensive outcome can be given to QB Arkelon Hall who threw a trio of touchdowns and allowed no interceptions on the afternoon. Somehow he did not receive Player of the Game Honors, which instead once again went to T.J. Pitts who rushed for two scores.

A classic case of Robo-QB was no match for a nearly impenetrable Memphis defense which did not allow the Pirates to score on a single trip to the red zone.

"If our defense played like this in the first half of the season, heck, we might even be in the national title hunt".

First Quarter
2:32: M. Reagan, 32 yd FG

Second Quarter
5:30: T. Pitts, 2 yd run (M. Reagan kick)
5:14: D. Harris, 72 yd pass from P. Pinkney (B. Hartman kick)
3:31: M. Reagan, 54 yd FG
2:20: D. Harris, 35 yd pass from P. Pinkney (B. Hartman kick)
0:42: E. Williams, 3 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)

Third Quarter
3:22: S. Black, 5 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)

Fourth Quarter
5:30: T. Pitts, 6 yd run (M. Reagan kick)
4:31: S. Black, 24 yd pass from A. Hall (M. Reagan kick)
0:44: P. Pinkney, 24 yd run (B. Hartman kick)

Around the Conference-USA
Week 8 Results
Marshall 31, Alabama-Birmingham 23
Southern Mississippi 38, Rice 31
Tulsa 48, Texas-El Paso 34
Houston 42, Southern Methodist 21