TigerSportsReport.com - Football Report

October 26, 2009

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INSIDE SLANT

Memphis head coach Tommy West indicated that changes could be made on special teams in the wake of last week's shaky performance at Southern Miss, when the Tigers surrendered 33.0 yards per kick return and 26.5 yards per punt return with a touchdown.

"Obviously, if you're not getting your job done, that's just like any other phase, offensively or defensively, we will change personnel," he said.

Through seven games, Memphis (2-5, 1-3 C-USA) ranks near the bottom of the league in most special-teams statistical categories. The Tigers are eighth in kick coverage, 11th in kickoff returns and 12th in punt returns. Punter Matt Reagan leads C-USA and ranks ninth in the nation with a 44.7-yard average, but West sees room for improvement there, too.

"We've had some problems this year with some low, line-drive punts that people have run back on us. That was a low, line-drive punt that their guy caught and took it back," West said, referring to Tracey Lampley's 50-yard return for the Golden Eagles. "We've got to kick it better and we've got to punt it better than what we're doing right now."

As for punt returns, only six teams in the entire country average fewer yards per return than the Tigers (3.2).

Look for improvement Tuesday against East Division leader East Carolina (4-3, 3-1), or look for across-the-board changes for the remainder of the season.

NOTES, QUOTES

? Memphis is 3-6 all-time in games played on Tuesdays. The Tigers play a total of three non-Saturday contests this season, including the opener at Ole Miss (Sunday) and the regular-season finale at Tulsa (Friday).

? Tommy West needs one victory to become the third head coach in Memphis history to win 50 games, joining Ralph Hatley (59-43-5, 1947-57) and Billy J. Murphy (91-44-1, 1958-71).

? SERIES HISTORY: East Carolina leads 11-6 (last meeting, 2008, 30-10 East Carolina).

Scouting The Offense: Receivers Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton are the country's third most prolific scoring tandem with 40 combined touchdown catches. The offensive line has allowed just seven sacks, which ranks second in C-USA and 16th nationally. Memphis has lost only four fumbles this year, two on punt returns and two by quarterbacks.

Scouting The Defense: The Tigers rank near the bottom of C-USA with 11 takeaways in seven games, including zero inside the red zone where opponents have scored on 25-of-27 trips. They rank fifth in the conference against the pass (218.3) and eighth against the run (186.7). DE Mike McDonald leads the team with three sacks.

Quote To Note: "We're banged up at certain positions right now. We have three safeties playing right now at two positions. Seven straight weeks of playing will do that to you. Having a little bit of extra time for this game and having a weekend after this game should help us out."-Memphis head coach Tommy West.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week 'S GAME: East Carolina at Memphis, Oct. 27-The Tigers' last win in the series was a 27-24 decision in 2005, having dropped the last three meetings by an average margin of 17 points. The defending conference champion Pirates are alone in first place in the C-USA East at 3-1, but they are just 1-3 on the road in 2009.

Keys To The Game: Memphis is 34-8 since 2001 when it scores 30 or more points (2-0 this season), but just 9-38 when the opposition scores 30 or more points (0-4 this season).

Players To Watch:

RB Curtis Steele-He has rushing touchdowns in eight of his last 11 games (11 total) and has moved into the Top 10 in career rushing yardage at Memphis with 1,740. He needs 25 yards to pass Jeff Womack for ninth place and 260 yards to become the seventh Tiger to reach 2,000.

WR Duke Calhoun-The senior has caught at least one pass in 44 consecutive games and is ranked sixth among all active FBS receivers with 2,724 career receiving yards. He ranks third in East Carolina history with 19 career touchdown catches.

DT Dontari Poe-The 6-5, 350-pound true freshman is tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (three) and sacks (two) and ranks second in tackles for loss (five).

Roster Report:

? LB Greg Jackson is considered day-to-day with a lower leg injury, but head coach Tommy West indicated he expected the senior will play against East Carolina. He leads the Tigers with 50 tackles (30 solo) and is tied for the lead with three forced fumbles.

? QB Tyler Bass had season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder. The sophomore appeared in four games this year with two starts, completing 53-of-81 passes (65.4 percent) for 673 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions.

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