TigerSportsReport.com - Memphis Team Report

October 19, 2009

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INSIDE SLANT

The red zone continues to be a dead zone for Memphis, which has scored touchdowns on just 13-of-23 trips inside its opponents' 20-yard line through seven games.

It was more of the same in Saturday's 36-16 setback at Southern Miss (4-3, 2-1 C-USA) as the Tigers (2-5, 1-3) scored one touchdown and two short field goals on four red-zone penetrations. The Golden Eagles were 4-of-4 in the red zone with three TDs.

"They did a nice job in the red zone scoring touchdowns and we didn't score touchdowns," head coach Tommy West told the Commercial Appeal. "We had to kick field goals down there. I thought that was the difference in the end."

The Tigers had first-and-goal at the 6 in the second quarter and settled for an 18-yard field goal by Matt Reagan. In the third quarter, they had another first-and-goal at the 9 and were denied once again, settling for a 28-yard field goal. Memphis finally punched it in with a 12-yard TD pass from Will Hudgens to Duke Calhoun in the fourth quarter, but by then it was 30-16.

"I don't think Will did anything to hurt us. I thought he gave us a chance to win the game," said West. "Again, offensively, my beef would be we've got to score touchdowns in the red zone. We had the ball at the 3-yard line and get it to the 1 and we don't get it in. That was a big play in the game."

NOTES, QUOTES

? RB Curtis Steele has cracked the school's Top 10 rushing list with 1,740 yards in 18 games. The Northwest (Miss.) CC transfer is the only two-year player in the Top 10.

? K Matt Reagan extended his streak to four consecutive missed field goals when his 41-yarder came up short in the first quarter, but he bounced back by drilling three in a row (48, 18 and 28) and also averaged 41.7 yards on three punts.

? CB Deante Lamar led the Tigers with eight tackles, his third consecutive game with at least seven stops.

Game Ball Goes To: RB Curtis Steele-The senior racked up 177 all-purpose yards with 24 carries for 136 yards (5.7-yard average) and four catches for 41 yards. He has rushed for 376 yards in his last two games.

Keep An Eye On: QB Will Hudgens-The sixth-year senior completed 26-of-42 passes (to nine different receivers) for 255 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. With Memphis in last place in the C-USA East standings, the team could make a change with an eye on 2010.

Quote To Note: "From our end, it was special teams, probably as bad as I've ever been around. Our kickoff-coverage and punt-coverage teams were absolutely horrible."-Memphis head coach Tommy West to the Commercial Appeal.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good: DT Dontari Poe forced a fumble for the third time in his past four games. WR Duke Calhoun extended his streak to 44 consecutive games with a reception, hauling in a game-high 10 catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. DE Greg Terrell recorded six tackles, with one tackle for loss and a pass deflection.

Still Needs Work: Will Hudgens threw two interceptions. The Tigers had 11 penalties for 105 yards. The coverage teams had a forgettable effort against the Golden Eagles, allowing a 33.0-yard average on kick returns (long of 78) and a 26.5-yard average on punt returns, including a 50-yard touchdown by Tracey Lampley.

Roster Report:

? SS Marcus Ball made his first start of the season, replacing Darius Davis, and tied for second on the team with seven tackles against Southern Miss. Ball began his career at Florida State and transferred to Memphis from Pearl River (Miss.) CC.

? LB Greg Jackson left the game in the second quarter with injuries to his shoulder and lower leg. "The doctors were concerned about the lower leg swelling really bad," head coach Tommy West said. "We'll just have to wait and see. I really don't know right now."

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