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Tigers are geared up for Thursday
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Editor
Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 14:08
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David Minkin
Tigers wide receiver Jermaine McKenzie hauls in a pass during The U of M’s season opener against Mississippi State last September. The Bulldogs bested the Tigers 49-7 in the game.
With just one day remaining until the the University of Memphis Tigers football team open their season against Misssissippi State, the team is confident that they can improve on last season's 1-11 record in Larry Porter's first season as head coach.
"Last year we came up short and it was not expected," junior defensive tackle Dontari Poe said. "But this year is different and we know what to expect from Mississippi State, so we just have to focus at the task at hand and be ready this year."
Being ready is really important for these young Tigers. There will be a lot of new players on both sides of the ball, and preparing for a team like Mississippi State might be a bit hard for this team. But some players relish in the fact that they are taking on such a big opponent to start the season.
"I'm very excited to be getting out there again," senior defensive end Frank Trotter said. "Playing against a team like Mississippi State and them being ranked is huge for us. Plus being on national television gives us a chance to show everyone what we're capable of and what we can do."
But don't think these Tigers are underestimating the competition.
"We know what their quarterback Chris Relf brings to the table," Trotter said. "He's a dual-threat guy that can run and throw, and we know that at any given time he can take off. So in order to stop him, we must not give him lanes and keep a spy on him in the pocket to keep his head moving at all times."
The question is not whether the Tigers defense will be able to stop the Bulldogs Thursday night, but if the offense — led by sophomore transfer Andy Summerlin — will be able to post numbers comporable to Relf and company.
"Andy's very mature and he's been around the college game for a while," senior wide receiver Tanner Rehrer said. "He's a very intelligent man — always studying, watching film and trying to get better — that I think he'll take this challenge on and be good with it."
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tigers are geared up for Thursday
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