Arkansas State a sure test for Tigers on road
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Editor
Published: Friday, September 9, 2011
Updated: Friday, September 9, 2011 12:09
David Minkin
Senior running back Billy Foster, far left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in last Thursday’s game against Mississippi State.
Coming off a loss where they gave up a record-setting 645 yards on defense last Thursday to start the season, The University of Memphis Tigers football team will try to bounce back on Saturday against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark.
"Games like the one against Mississippi State happen like that sometime," junior defensive lineman Dontari Poe said. "I don't want to blame it on any one thing, but as the defensive line, we come first so we have to step up."
Three of the next four games for the Tigers will be at home. The game Saturday against ASU will be the lone contest away from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in the month of September. This will be the 56th overall meeting between the two schools on the field. The Tigers lead the overall series 28-22-5. Memphis won the last encounter in 2008, a 29-17 victory at home. But the Red Wolves posted wins over the Tigers in 2006, a 26-23 victory at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, where they connected on a last second Hail Mary for a touchdown — and in 2007 in Jonesboro, with a 35-31 comeback win where the Tigers led 31-6 at halftime.
The two schools began their 55-game series in 1914. Memphis won that first encounter 18-6 in Memphis. Memphis had won 10 straight (1991-2004) in the series before the heart-breaking 26-23 loss to ASU at home. Arkansas State holds a narrow 11-7-1 series edge in games played in Jonesboro, but Memphis has won two of its last three trips to Jonesboro, notching victories in 2000 and 2004. Prior to the 2000 contest at Arkansas State, the last time a Memphis squad traveled to Jonesboro was in the 1949 season.
Although ASU plays in the Sun Belt Conference, the Tigers know that there can't be a letdown stemming from the loss to MSU – a top-25 team and member of arguably the best college football conference in the country.
"We should be ready for them," Poe said. "It's not about what they do, it's about what we do. If we go out there and handle our business, we should come out victorious."
The Taylor Reed offensive regime will begin Saturday for the Tigers. Head coach Larry Porter named him the starter on Monday. Reed, from El Dorado, Ark. supplanted incumbent starter Andy Summerlin after he went down with an injury to his ankle against MSU. Porter said he has no problems starting the talented true freshman on the road for the second game of the season.
"Just to know where he was, where he is now and where he's headed is good for me," Porter said. "Plus you know when the players start calling you ‘Tebow,' you must have earned some type of respect."
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Friday, September 9, 2011
Arkansas State a sure test for Tigers on road
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
With new QB under center, Tigers look to rebound after loss
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With new QB under center, Tigers look to rebound after loss
True freshman QB Taylor Reed gets nod to start versus Arkansas State
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Editor
Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Updated: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 10:09
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David Minkin
Newly-named starting quarterback Taylor Reed, right, and the Tigers hope to rebound from Thursday’s 59-14 loss to Mississippi State University against Arkansas State.
After suffering another heartbreaking loss in consecutive season openers to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, The University of Memphis Tigers football team (0-1) will try to regroup when they take on Arkansas State this Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark. In the loss to MSU, the Tigers were led by two standout freshmen in that game, quarterback Taylor Reed and running back Artaves Gibson. While Gibson made an impact with 85 yards on 17 carries, it was Reed that caught head coach Larry Porter's attention enough to name him the starter for the game against ASU during his weekly press luncheon.
"This week we'll go with Taylor Reed," Porter said. "I think based on his performance it warranted him being the starter and he just looked poised out there and settled our offense. So his productivity is the reason why he will be starting."
Starting running back Jerrell Rhodes, who rushed six times for 28 yards, was limited in action during last week's contest due to a bone bruise he suffered in the first quarter. Senior wide receiver and running back Billy Foster will replace him in the starting lineup and share the backfield with Gibson.
"Jerrell will be doubtful, but we'll know more on his injury towards the end of the week," Porter said. "Billy will be ready to roll this week. I don't think there will be any problems there, and Artaves will certainly play early and often."
The Tigers' defense will also see changes. After giving up record-setting numbers against MSU in which the Bulldogs amassed over 600 yards of total offense, Porter vowed to make changes all around on the defensive side of the ball before next week's game.
"Defensively, I was disappointed as I went back and watched the film," Porter said. "I know that we had people out of position, but that's still no excuse for missed tackles and giving up big plays. You will see changes on all three levels of defense – defensive line, linebackers and secondary."
With definite changes on the horizon on defense and a new starting quarterback, the Tigers look to focus on Sun Belt Conference rival Arkansas State. The Tigers hold a 27-22-5 all-time record in the series, but the Red Wolves have won the last two meetings. In 2006, ASU won 36-31 after Memphis led 31-6 by halftime. And in 2007, the Red Wolves won on a last second Hail-Mary to defeat the Tigers 26-23. Both teams are used to dramatic finishes in the series, Porter said.
"You don't have to say much when you mention Memphis and Arkansas State," Porter said. "The players pretty much get fired up on their own and I don't anticipate it being any different this year."
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MSU Bullies Memphis, 59-14
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MSU strikes early and often as Tigers drop opener 59-14
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Editor
Published: Friday, September 2, 2011
Updated: Friday, September 2, 2011 13:09
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David Minkin
They came out fired up. They even stopped Mississippi State's offense on the first possession of the game.
But The University of Memphis Tigers football team showed just how young they were as they piled up penalties throughout the first half, allowing MSU to convert on quick touchdown strikes of 44, 46, 36 and 66 yards in a 59-17 rout over the Tigers.
In front of 33,992 fans at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, the Tigers struggled to move the ball, punting throughout the first half and giving up 405 yards of offense to the Bulldogs and yielding 31 first-half points.
"I thought we gave up too much too early," head coach Larry Porter said. "I'm obviously disappointed in our play, but I thought we would play better. You just have to give it up to coach (Dan) Mullin and his kids for a good game out there."
Although the Bulldogs posted 40-plus points against the Tigers for the second straight year, there were bright spots in the game for the Tigers. True freshmen quarterback Taylor Reed and running back Artaves Gibson both saw significant playing time. Both Reed and Gibson came in for injured Tigers, substituting for sophomore quarterback Andy Summerlin in the second quarter after he suffered an undisclosed injury and Billy Foster, respectively. Foster replaced starting running back Jerrell Rhodes earlier in the game.
Gibson gained 85 yards on 17 carries.
"Arteves did some good things tonight," Porter said. "He definitely earned himself some playing time for next week and I can't wait to see him out there."
Reed finished the game 23-for-35 for 149 yards and one interception.
"I was proud of Taylor Reed's play," Porter said. "I thought he came in with tremendous poise and in my opinion he settled our offense and helped sustain our drives – he definitely was a bright spot."
The Tigers gave up 645 yards on defense, the second most in school history and most offensive yardage amassed in MSU history. Coach Porter wasn't ready to throw the towel in on his defense, however, saying the reasons for such a big disparity were due to some missing parts.
"My defense, in my opinion, did a pretty decent job," Porter said. "I don't think we were just getting blown off the line. Our guys fought to the end but we had breakdowns. And I understand where those breakdowns are, but we had some guys that were (out of place) and they have to make tackles."
Though there were only two touchdowns for the Tigers, they did have several opportunities. Junior wide receiver Marcus Rucker missed a few balls that were thrown his way. The offensive line broke down too soon before either quarterback could locate a receiver, and whenever they seemed to be building momentum, the referees took it back by calling procedural penalties.
"It was an unbalanced set that we lined up in and the refs just didn't know what we were trying to do," Porter said. "But when we go back to look at film and take a look, we did everything we were supposed to do – the referees just didn't understand it and I can't wait to send the tape in to the league office."
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
As 28-point underdogs, Tigers look to surprise MSU
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As 28-point underdogs, Tigers look to surprise MSU
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Reporter
Published: Thursday, September 1, 2011
Updated: Thursday, September 1, 2011 02:09
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In November 1996, before a record-setting crowd of nearly 66,000 screaming fans at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and an audience of millions watching at home, arguably the greatest upset in Tigers football history happened.
Memphis fans rushed the field, tearing down the goal posts as a University of Tennessee team led by All-American Peyton Manning left the field in defeat, upset 21-17 by a Tigers team with a 3-6 record.
It was upset time in Tennessee.
With the Tigers coming into tonight's 7 p.m. game against Mississippi State as a 28-point underdog, they'll try to recapture the spirit of such upsets, which have been more common than the Tigers' recent history suggests.
Here are five reasons why Tigers football is ready to roar back – and give MSU all they can handle in tonight's matchup at the Liberty Bowl.
#5 – Recruiting: In just his second season as head coach, Larry Porter has laid a solid foundation in and around the city of Memphis to keep local recruits in the Bluff City and away from the Southeastern Conference. Even if this season is another bust, continuing such recruiting efforts in the coming years could have the Tigers making a run for the Conference USA crown.
#4 – "Joining the Revolution": The Tigers' 2011 campaign asking fans to "join the revolution" has coincided with the emergence of a more outspoken, relatable and media-friendly Larry Porter. His newfound accessibility should foster a connection between Tigers fans and the team, a necessary relationship for steady attendance at the Liberty Bowl.
#3 – Defensive line: The old adage that football is a game of inches, not yards should bode well for the Tigers. Memphis returns one of the biggest defensive line tandems in C-USA with 6-2, 275-pound senior defensive end Frank Trotter – who Porter predicted will earn all-conference honors this season – and 6-5, 350-pound junior defensive tackle Dontari Poe. Porter had consistent praise for the duo during the preseason, and with the help of 6-2, 310-pound sophomore Johnnie Farms, the Tigers defensive line should have no problem clogging up the middle this season.
#2 – Quarterback Andy Summerlin: Summerlin will lead the Tigers offense after true freshman Ryan Williams transferred to Miami and Cannon Smith moved to defensive back. If he shows the same talent he did last year before going down with a shoulder injury, then the Tigers offense should be in solid hands.
#1 – They've been here before: The Tigers are no stranger to playing the underdog against nationally ranked teams – or any team, for that matter. In September 2003, an Ole Miss squad ranked 18th in the nation came to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium led by Peyton's brother, Eli Manning. The Tigers sent "Hotty Toddy" packing, upsetting the Rebels 44-34 in a matchup where, on paper, Memphis was out-manned in every way. Tonight's game presents the Tigers with a similar challenge – one that could have another surprising finish.
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University of Memphis unveils Athletic Hall of Fame named for Tiger great ‘Penny’ Hardaway
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University of Memphis unveils Athletic Hall of Fame named for Tiger great ‘Penny’ Hardaway
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Editor
Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Updated: Thursday, September 1, 2011 16:09
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University of Memphis President Shirley Raines, former Tigers basketball great Anfernee Hardaway, and athletic director R.C. Johnson cut the ribbon to the new Hall of Building Tuesday evening.
The University of Memphis athletic department, along with former NBA All-Star and Tiger great Afernee "Penny" Hardaway, have officially opened the new Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway/University of Memphis Athletic Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.
"We are very excited to be able to have the official grand opening of the Athletic Hall of Fame during the same week as our football season opener against Mississippi State," athletic director R.C. Johnson said. "The opening of this facility will certainly add to the ambiance of the week for Tiger fans and we want everyone to come out to take the walk through Memphis athletic history."
Other former Tiger greats including former basketball players Leon Mitchell, Andre Turner and former Central High standout Lester Hudson were on hand, among the 300 people who came out to show support for Tigers athletics, Hardaway and The U of M.
"It's a blessing for the alumni and for Penny," Turner said. "For a player of his magnitude to have a building done in his honor is just an extension to all the former players because we are all integrated together and it means a lot to all of us."
But the man of the hour felt as though it was just the right thing to do – to help the school that helped him launch his career.
"The school has done so much for me," Hardaway said. "When I finally made my dreams come true by going to the NBA, the first thing to do was to give back to the school that meant so much to me. This just goes to show you that God is good, and what I want kids to know is that if I can do it, they can do it too."
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Tigers are geared up for Thursday
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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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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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Tuesday, August 30, 2011
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Luke Walton officially joins Tigers staff
By Adam Douglas-->Sports Reporter
Published: Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 02:08
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University of Memphis head basketball head coach Josh Pastner officially welcomed current Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton to the Tigers coaching staff on Saturday at the Larry O. Finch Center.
Walton worked mainly with post players during an afternoon workout, while giving other Tigers some pointers on how to take their games to the next level.
"He was one of the most vocal coaches out there," said sophomore forward Tarik Black. "I want to listen to everything he has to say. He's where we want to be, as far as being in the NBA. So if it's a pool of knowledge that he's trying to teach, then I want to swim in it."
A picture taken of the 1973 NCAA championship game hung nearby as Walton spoke during a media session on Saturday. Hi father, Bill Walton, was 21-of-22 from the field in the game, leading his UCLA Bruins to the title over a U of M team coached by Larry Finch.
"Yeah that's ‘Big Red' right there," Walton said, gesturing to his father in the photo. "I know my name has a historical reference in this city. It's kind of funny how all things come full circle. My father took a championship away from Memphis back then – now I'm here to help bring one here."
Pastner said he was pleased with Walton's transition to coaching since his arrival on Friday.
"I've got to give coach Walton credit," Pastner said. "He dove right in and began coaching. He did an exceptional job, as did coach Stoudamire and coach Murphy."
Walton said that the longer he's here, the more involved with the team he'll become.
"Today was a take-in day today," Walton said on Saturday. "I really didn't want to get involved as much – I will get more vocal as things progress. But I was just trying to see how things ran around here, getting to know the personnel and getting to know the kids."
Walton getting closer to the team, Pastner said, means Tigers players benefiting from the experiences of a seasoned professional who has competed against, and alongside, some of basketball's greatest current players.
"Luke will be a great coach because he brings a wealth of knowledge and a winning attitude to the Tigers program," Pastner said. "His experiences, which include playing in four NBA Finals and winning two NBA world championships, are lessons that he can share with our players to help them grow and develop their games – that's something that you cannot teach at this level."
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