Memphis Tigers News Archives

September 2006

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09/30/06		Vols romp over Tigers (Commercial Appeal)
		By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS AP Sports Writer September 30, 2006 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Everything seemed harder for Tennessee last year, including its win over cross-state rival Memphis. This is a new season. Erik Ainge threw four touchdown passes and the 15th-ranked Volunteers had an easy time beating Memphis 41-7 on Saturday. A year ago, Tennessee (4-1) had to rally for a 20-16 victory over the Tigers in one of the many low points of a 5-6 season that featured one of the worst offenses in the country. "Our receivers making some big plays was a big part of the score and the game," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I just thought we were more balanced as an offensive team." Ainge, pulled early in the fourth quarter, completed 23 of 27 passes for 324 yards, including two TD tosses to Jayson Swain and an 84-yarder to Robert Meachem. His other scoring pass was a 7-yarder to Bret Smith. "I thought it took me a little bit to get settled in. After we did that, as good as everyone else on this team was playing, it made it pretty easy," said Ainge, who was benched last year against Memphis after starting. Tennessee returns to Southeastern Conference play next week at No. 10 Georgia. The Tigers (1-3) had last week off to prepare for the Vols, but struggled all day. The Tigers' highlight was punter Michael Gibson pinning Tennessee inside its own 5 three times. Memphis' new defense didn't fool the Vols as coach Tommy West had hoped. West, a former Tennessee tight end, fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn after a loss at East Carolina two weeks ago and changed the scheme to a conventional four-man front. "We got whipped physically, and we got manhandled," West said. "I don't like it, but it's over and done." LaMarcus Coker added 125 yards on 26 carries in his first start for the Vols. Arian Foster missed the game with a sprained left ankle. Tennessee had its first blowout against Memphis since 2001, and it was the largest margin of victory since a 55-16 win in 1969. The games have been close since Memphis' lone win, 21-17, in 1996. The Tigers finished with 121 yards of total offense _ the least allowed by the Vols since Fresno State had 117 in 2003. Tennessee had 566 total yards and converted 11 of 16 third downs. The Vols opened the second half with a scoring drive capped by Swain's 51-yard TD reception for a 20-0 lead. Swain caught the pass along the sideline behind his defender and ran across the field to score. After Memphis punted, Tennessee started at its own 3 and needed just five plays before Meachem's score. Meachem leaped to catch the ball and kept running but was crowded on the sideline. Smith pushed two defenders out of the way, and Meachem ran untouched to the end zone. "I knew there was a chance it would be like this," West said. "We were playing the No. 15 team in the country and they're good. Make no mistake. That's the same team that routed the No. 9 team in the country." The Vols opened the season with a 35-18 win over California. Memphis' defense was able to keep Tennessee out of the end zone late in the third quarter when the Vols tried to run four straight times from the 1. But Tennessee came back on its next series and scored with Smith's diving catch at the goal line. Trailing 3-0, Memphis had an interception returned for a touchdown erased by an offsides penalty in the first quarter. Quinton McCrary jumped in front of a pass by Ainge up the middle and returned it 38 yards. Tennessee continued the 17-play drive that bridged the first two quarters and went ahead 10-0 on Ainge's 5-yard pass to Swain. Ainge rolled out to the right and was being backed up along the sideline when he finally threw it to his left to Swain in the back of the end zone. "I don't think it makes a difference," Fulmer said when asked if the interception had counted. The Tigers' starting running back Joseph Doss was suspended for the first half because he was late to a pre-game meeting. Doss said he normally uses his cell phone as an alarm clock but couldn't after he dropped the phone in the toilet. Doss ran for 77 yards against Tennessee last year in place of DeAngelo Williams, but he had only 13 yards on Saturday. James Wilhoit added field goals of 28 and 49 yards for Tennessee. David Yancey ran 10 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Vols were looking for their first shutout since a 48-0 victory over Vanderbilt in 2003, but Memphis took advantage of a fumble by Tennessee reserves. Martin Hankins completed a 21-yard TD pass to Duke Calhoun with 3:44 remaining.

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09/30/06		No. 15 Tigers Back on Track -- 3-0 victory extends home winning streak, team rebounds from tough loss (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn.- The No. 15 University of Memphis men's soccer team (8-2-0, 1-1-0 C-USA) picked up its fourth consecutive home field victory with a 3-0 win over Tulsa (3-7-0, 1-1-0 C-USA) on Saturday night at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. In doing so, the Tigers matched their win total from 2005 with seven games remaining on the schedule. Sophomore Tripp Harkins put the Tigers on the board first after heading in a touch pass from classmate Robert Sausaman at 41:15. Harkins paid for the goal by colliding hard with Tulsa goalkeeper Dominic Cervi and falling to the turf unconscious. Harkins exited the game under his own power and was taken to Baptist East Hospital for evaluation and observation. The latest reports on Saturday night said that Harkins remained awake and alert and remembered the entire incident. "We're Relieved. Our first concern was for Tripp's safety, so I'm glad to hear that he looks safe and is in good health," head coach Richie Grant said. "You really have to give credit to Tripp. It was a fantastic run, and he was very brave sticking his head in where most people wouldn't put their foot. I also want to compliment Tulsa's goalkeeper for showing some true sportsmanship. It was just an unfortunate situation where both he and the keeper were going for the ball." The loss of Harkins reduced an already depleted Memphis attack as junior midfielder Kevin Walsh sat out the game after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season at South Carolina on Sept. 24. However, sophomores Grant Wise, Frank Judice and Kyle Franklin as well as freshman Wade Wonderlin came off the bench and kept up the pace for the Tiger attack. "I thought our subs were excellent tonight," Grant said. "Losing players like Kevin and Tripp really hurts. I thought Frank's contribution was immense, he did a great job chasing. Wade was composed as always, Kyle got good time, and Grant keeps improving the more and more minutes he plays." Junior Jared Britcher, who had been coming off the bench after returning from an illness, increased the Memphis lead early into the second half. The Knoxville, Tenn., native led a charge down the left side of the field and fired a shot that ricocheted off a Tulsa defender to a wide-open Brian Farrell. The freshman forward tapped home his fourth goal of the season to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead with 31 minutes remaining in the second half. Sophomore Shaun Goulding capped the scoring when he dribbled through the box among a group of Tulsa defenders and used the back of his heel to knock the ball through heavy traffic and into the net for the Tigers' third and final goal. The Tiger defense stood up to an aggressive Tulsa attack all game. Junior Tyler Strom recorded his first shutout of the season by stopping the only shot the Golden Hurricane put on net. Strom also impressed the Memphis coaching staff with his handling of Tulsa crosses and corner kicks, stopping attacks before they could develop. "It was very much a team performance. Tulsa is a very good possession team and we did a good job keeping our defensive shape tonight," Grant said. "Tyler really deserved the shutout tonight. He came and got some crosses, he made the saves when they were needed, and his kicking game was excellent." Memphis won't have too much time to get comfortable at home. The Tigers will hit the road again this when they head to Orlando, Fla. to take on UCF. Kickoff is set for Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. Memphis Man of the Match Jordan Lynn- The sophomore midfielder broke up numerous Tulsa attacks and helped launch Memphis counters. Lynn contributed to the Tigers' second goal by breaking up a Tulsa attack and driving it wide on the left side. From there, Britcher and Farrell combined to give the Tigers' some insurance. "Jordan Lynn was absolutely superb tonight," Grant said. "A lot of times, you don't notice the job those guys do because they don't show up in the box score. But, Jordan was key to our success on both sides of the ball tonight."

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09/30/06		Cross Country Finishes Successful Day at Rhodes Invitational -- Arboleda and Standen set personal best times (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis men's and women's cross country teams both had successful days at the Rhodes Inviational with a pair of Tiger sophomores setting new personal best times in the men's 8k run. While the Lady Tigers and Tigers finished fifth and sixth respectively, individual times were improved and Memphis cross country coach Mike Power was pleased with the progress his squad made. "We had a great week of practice, and I was really excited going into today's meet," said Power. "I'm really proud of the way the kids came out and ran today. Hopefully, we can continue to improve more each week." Juan Arboleda led all of the Memphis men, running a 28:11 and finishing 14th. He was immediately followed by Geoff Standen, who came in 15th with a time of 28:16. The times were personal bests for both of runners. Senior Avi Shaposhnik finished 28th and posted a time of 29:29. Sam James and Nick Bussey rounded out the Tigers, finishing 49th and 54th respectively. On the women's side Emily Malinowski once again posted the top time for Memphis. The sophomore turned in a fourth place finish and a time of 19:22 in the women's 4k. Senior Mary Claire Dake was the second Lady Tiger across the finish line. The Knoxville native finished 12th overall and posted a 20:06. Becca McMahon had her highest finish of the season, coming in 19th. Kimberly McVeigh rounded out the Lady Tiger runners with a 42nd place finish. Memphis will stay close to home again next weekend when it competes in the Memphis Twilight Meet hosted by Christian Brothers University at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex.

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09/30/06		Tigers Fall To No. 15 Vols -- Hankins completes a 21-yard TD pass to Duke Calhoun (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Everything seemed harder for Tennessee last year, including its win over cross-state rival Memphis. This is a new season. Erik Ainge threw four touchdown passes and the 15th-ranked Volunteers had an easy time beating Memphis 41-7 on Saturday. A year ago, Tennessee (4-1) had to rally for a 20-16 victory over the Tigers in one of the many low points of a 5-6 season that featured one of the worst offenses in the country. "Our receivers making some big plays was a big part of the score and the game," Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. "I just thought we were more balanced as an offensive team." Ainge, pulled early in the fourth quarter, completed 23 of 27 passes for 324 yards, including two TD tosses to Jayson Swain and an 84-yarder to Robert Meachem. His other scoring pass was a 7-yarder to Bret Smith. "I thought it took me a little bit to get settled in. After we did that, as good as everyone else on this team was playing, it made it pretty easy," said Ainge, who was benched last year against Memphis after starting. Tennessee returns to Southeastern Conference play next week at No. 10 Georgia. The Tigers (1-3) had last week off to prepare for the Vols, but struggled all day. The Tigers' highlight was punter Michael Gibson pinning Tennessee inside its own 5 three times. Memphis' new defense didn't fool the Vols as coach Tommy West had hoped. West, a former Tennessee tight end, fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn after a loss at East Carolina two weeks ago and changed the scheme to a conventional four-man front. "We got whipped physically, and we got manhandled," West said. "I don't like it, but it's over and done." LaMarcus Coker added 125 yards on 26 carries in his first start for the Vols. Arian Foster missed the game with a sprained left ankle. Tennessee had its first blowout against Memphis since 2001, and it was the largest margin of victory since a 55-16 win in 1969. The games have been close since Memphis' lone win, 21-17, in 1996. The Tigers finished with 121 yards of total offense - the least allowed by the Vols since Fresno State had 117 in 2003. Tennessee had 566 total yards and converted 11 of 16 third downs. The Vols opened the second half with a scoring drive capped by Swain's 51-yard TD reception for a 20-0 lead. Swain caught the pass along the sideline behind his defender and ran across the field to score. After Memphis punted, Tennessee started at its own 3 and needed just five plays before Meachem's score. Meachem leaped to catch the ball and kept running but was crowded on the sideline. Smith pushed two defenders out of the way, and Meachem ran untouched to the end zone. "I knew there was a chance it would be like this," West said. "We were playing the No. 15 team in the country and they're good. Make no mistake. That's the same team that routed the No. 9 team in the country." The Vols opened the season with a 35-18 win over California. Memphis' defense was able to keep Tennessee out of the end zone late in the third quarter when the Vols tried to run four straight times from the 1. But Tennessee came back on its next series and scored with Smith's diving catch at the goal line. Trailing 3-0, Memphis had an interception returned for a touchdown erased by an offsides penalty in the first quarter. Quinton McCrary jumped in front of a pass by Ainge up the middle and returned it 38 yards. Tennessee continued the 17-play drive that bridged the first two quarters and went ahead 10-0 on Ainge's 5-yard pass to Swain. Ainge rolled out to the right and was being backed up along the sideline when he finally threw it to his left to Swain in the back of the end zone. "I don't think it makes a difference," Fulmer said when asked if the interception had counted. The Tigers' starting running back Joseph Doss was suspended for the first half because he was late to a pre-game meeting. Doss said he normally uses his cell phone as an alarm clock but couldn't after he dropped the phone in the toilet. Doss ran for 77 yards against Tennessee last year in place of DeAngelo Williams, but he had only 13 yards on Saturday. James Wilhoit added field goals of 28 and 49 yards for Tennessee. David Yancey ran 10 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. The Vols were looking for their first shutout since a 48-0 victory over Vanderbilt in 2003, but Memphis took advantage of a fumble by Tennessee reserves. Martin Hankins completed a 21-yard TD pass to Duke Calhoun with 3:44 remaining.

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09/30/06		Post-Game Notes and Quotes -- Tennessee 41, Memphis 7 (GoTigersGo.com)
		Memphis Head Coach Tommy West "I did a poor job of preparing our football team for this game today. I thought Tennessee played a great game and they have a very good team. Tennessee really handed it to us and they were the more physical team and better team. We did not help ourselves missing assignments but I still think we can be a good football team and I have to find a way to make us a good team and bring them along." "I knew the defense could be on the field a lot today and they were and that is not a good combination. I knew and was prepared for that." "Joe Doss was late for a meeting and he was suspended for half of the game. That is our rule." "Not having Doss really did not affect us. That would be a crutch to say it did. To be honest not having Joe Doss had nothing to do with us losing. He played in the second half and we weren't much better." "We felt we had to be a balanced team and an understatement would be that we struggled running the ball. We knew we would have to run the ball to have a chance." Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer "I'm really proud of our football team. I think we really worked to get better during the course of the year. We've come out of these games with some improvement, and that's what we needed. We still have a way to go in some areas, but we'll find out who we have healthy tomorrow and obviously start getting ready for the Georgia Bulldogs." "Our defense is still a work in progress as far as overcoming the loss of a couple key players. We spent a lot of time talking about stopping the run. We tackled well. It was really a good effort by our guys today." "We had three significantly long drives; two for scores and one we left at the foot line. We talked about doing what good teams do. We're trying to be a good team." On Memphis' defensive coaching change: "That's really hard. Everybody expected miracles. You still got 11 guys and you're going to put 11 on the field at some position. It was kind of like an opening season game. That's how we approached it. They were going to be somewhere on the field and we had a quarter or so to figure out where they were going to be." MEMPHIS GAME NOTES • Running backs Joseph Doss and Miguel Barnes were suspended for the first half today. Redshirt freshman T.J. Pitts started in place of Doss, marking his first career start. • Redshirt freshman Greg Terrell started at defensive end, logging the first start of his career. Today's defensive starting lineup included three sophomores (Corey Mills, Clinton McDonald, Greg Jackson) and redshirt freshman Terrell. • Michael Gibson's 73-yard punt in the first quarter was the third-longest punt for a Tiger in school history. The longest punt was 85 yards by Roland Eveland against Washington in 1950. The second-longest was Jeff Fite's 78 yarder against Alabama in 1989. Gibson, a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, had a previous high of 70 yards in the regular-season finale against Marshall last year. Later in the third quarter today, Gibson registered a 70-yard punt. For the game, Gibson averaged 50.9 yards on seven punts. He dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line. • Michael Gibson's punting average of 50.9 yards was the fourth-highest in school history. Highest punting average is 52.5, which Michael Gibson recorded last season against UAB. In that game, he totaled two punts for 105 yards. The highest punting average for Tiger with five or more punts in a single game was previously 50.3 by Jeff Buffalo against Louisville (7-352). • Defensive lineman Rubio Phillips tallied his first career fumble recovery late in the second quarter. • Today's announced attendance was 61,783, marking the sixth-highest crowd for a Tiger game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. • The 34-point loss today is the worst loss that the Tigers have suffered to Tennessee since dropping a 55-16 decision to the Vols in 1969. This is the biggest loss for Memphis since a 49-10 loss to Cincinnati on the road in 2004. • Freshman Duke Calhoun caught his second career touchdown in the 4th quarter. The 21-yard touchdown was his 11th career catch at Memphis. • The Tigers had only five first downs in today's game, marking the fewest first downs since Memphis totaled five against Ole Miss in 1963. The most recent time that Memphis was held to fewer than 10 first downs was in 1999 when they totaled just eight against Ole Miss. • Memphis 121 yards of total offense was the lowest since totaling 115 yards of total offense against Ole Miss in 1999. In addition, the 42 yards rushing was the lowest for a Tiger team since its 48 yard effort against UCF in 2002.

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09/30/06		Lady Tigers Back in Action at Kentucky -- Wildcat Fall Invitational marks second tournament in less than one week (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn.- After starting the week by picking up their first top-five finish of the season at the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate, the University of Memphis women's golf team will finish the week at the University of Kentucky Wildcat Fall Invitational. The Lady Tigers will look to build on the momentum their lineup picked up in Colorado on Monday and Tuesday when they held on to finish fifth at the Ron Moore. Junior Stacey Tate tied the fifth-lowest round in school history when she posted a first-round 69 at the en route to a tie for 13th place and her 10th career top-20 finish. Tate will once again tee off as the Lady Tigers' number one golfer. Senior Cameron Barber took hold of the number two spot after finishing second among the Lady Tigers at the Ron Moore. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., native finished 25th at her hometown course after netting a final round 70. Junior Dawn-Marie Conaty finished tied for 36th on Tuesday and will tee off third for the Lady Tigers this weekend. Rounding out the Memphis lineup will be sophomore Rachel Larson and senior Kathryn O'Rourke. The Lady Tigers will find themselves in a 15-team field that includes: Augusta State, Birmingham Southern, Central Florida, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Mississippi State, Murray State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Ole Miss and Richmond. The tournament begins with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun on Saturday and 36 holes of play. Sunday's final round is also set to tee off at 8:30 a.m.

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09/30/06		Deep pockets give Vols an enviable edge (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 30, 2006 The University of Memphis football team has proved several times over the past 10 years that it can compete with Tennessee within the sidelines. These days, the bottom line is where the Vols' primacy over their in-state opponents is most evident. While Tennessee's average margin of victory over the Tigers in the teams' last four meetings is a mere seven points -- and that doesn't even take into account the UofM's landmark 21-17 win in 1996 -- the battle of the budgets is a decidedly one-sided affair. According to financial reports filed with the U.S. Department of Education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, Tennessee spent nearly twice as much on its football program as the UofM while raking in six times the revenue. Officials from both schools note that the accounting process is far from uniform because of reporting variances, and that statistical anomalies can skew some of the raw data. But as UofM athletic director R.C. Johnson said, "We're talking about apples and oranges. But by and large, they've got more of both." Tennessee's football-specific expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, totaled $13,586,845, with revenues totaling $29,326,709. The UofM, meanwhile, spent $7,030,197, far outstripping its $4,621,399 in football revenues -- a number affected by the Tigers' having had just five home games in 2004. Tennessee's spending on salaries ($4 million), scholarships ($2 million) and recruiting ($880,000) was, by itself, nearly equivalent to the entire UofM budget. And that doesn't take into account the $2.2 million the Vols paid out that year in game guarantees. It's no surprise, then, that it costs the Vols nearly three times as much as Memphis to put a player on the field. The Vols' operating costs for each of their 122 participants came to $26,580. It cost the Tigers an average of $9,817. "It's obviously a disadvantage. I would be lying to say it's not," UofM head coach Tommy West said. "When you're talking about that big a difference in the budget ... it's a big difference. "But I'm gonna tell my guys when they put their headgear on that it's not." While the Vols spent more than twice as much on coaches' salaries last year as the Tigers (approximately $4 million to $1.9 million), Johnson said the programs are on equal footing in other important ways. Both teams, for instance, have 85 scholarship players and nine full-time staff members. "The first thing I tell not only Tommy, but all the other coaches, is that their budgets are just like their monthly checks," Johnson said. "It's never enough, but it is what it is and you've got to make do with what you've got." Johnson, however, acknowledges there are some things he'd like to do for the program but can't given the present financial constraints. "The biggest disappointment for me is I haven't been able to provide Tommy with as much support as (UT coach Phillip Fulmer) has, such as a director of high school relations," Johnson said. When asked what he'd do with a bigger budget, West rattled off a seemingly ready-made wish list. "There's a lot of things I'd like to have. I make do with what I've got," he said. "I'd like to have a turf (practice) field. I'd like to have an indoor facility where I can go in and scrimmage and practice (in bad weather). I'd like to have the front (of the Murphy Complex) landscaped, but I don't have the money. "That's where the differences are. They do have the money." It so happens that West and Fulmer are well acquainted with the way the other side lives. West was able to flex considerably more financial muscle when he was the head coach at Clemson from 1993-98, while Fulmer learned how to work on a shoestring during five years as an assistant at Wichita State in the mid-to-late '70s. "I didn't have a budget at Clemson," West said. "I spent whatever I wanted. I flew around in my own plane. You probably waste a lot of money, but it's nice to have it." Fulmer, on the other hand, said he has never forgotten what it was like to work in an environment where making more with less was considered an art form. "I know about restraints," he said. "I painted the weight room myself (at Wichita State) and lined the field myself and all of those things. I was the assistant equipment guy and the assistant academics counselor. So I know what the restraints are." Nor, at the same time, is he interested in adding to his first-hand knowledge. Asked what the Vols would have to sacrifice if forced to work under the parameters of a Memphis-sized budget, Fulmer said they would likely have less glamorous facilities and a smaller recruiting budget. "But if we didn't have those things," he quickly added, "I guess we wouldn't be the University of Tennessee, because as far as I know we've always had those things." -- Jim Masilak: 529-2311 -------------------- Follow the game with us on the web It probably won't be hostile, but sports reporter Jim Masilak is taking over TheMemphisEdge.com this morning to bring you live goings-on at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. At about 10 a.m., come check out Jim's blog. He'll spend the entire Tennessee-Memphis game writing live details on the game and mixing in commentary from fans who send him their thoughts. So come game time -- and even before -- get your laptop in front of the television, dial up ESPN on your TV and TheMemphisEdge.com on your computer and join in the fun. Jim will be waiting for your comments.

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09/30/06		Big plays have been part of recent shared history between in-state rivals (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 30, 2006 It was a special teams play -- a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown -- that helped the University of Memphis upset sixth-ranked Tennessee in 1996. Four years later, it was a Tennessee kick return -- 44 yards to the UT 48 after the Tigers had scored to take a 17-16 lead -- that helped set up Alex Walls for a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 13 seconds left. And last year in Knoxville, it was two James Wilhoit fourth-quarter field goals that allowed the Vols to pull out a 20-16 win. Today's 21st meeting between the Tigers (1-2) and the 15th-ranked Vols (3-1), which begins at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, will have its intrigue. How will Tiger coach Tommy West, running the UofM defense for the first time since firing coordinator Joe Lee Dunn, fare? Will Vols freshman running back LaMarcus Coker, who will start today, be able to duplicate last week's performance? He had 146 yards on eight carries against Marshall. Can the Tigers and quarterback Martin Hankins recover from a difficult collapse at East Carolina two weeks, a game in which they lost after leading 20-7 at the half? As much attention as those underlying factors could attract in the nationally televised game, the outcome could hinge on a special teams play. Another kickoff return, a blocked field goal attempt or a booming punt inside the 10-yard line. Or maybe something less ostensible, perhaps strong play by a team's kickoff coverage unit. ''If we can hold our own on special teams it sure will help us,'' West said. Several of Memphis's special teams have struggled this season. The Tigers have missed two medium-range field goals and 2-of-9 extra points attempts. They are ranked eighth in the 12-team Conference USA in kickoff coverage. ''We've been very inconsistent,'' West said. ''Our kicking has inconsistent, although our punter (Michael Gibson) has been good. But our kick coverage has been inconsistent and our kick return has been inconsistent.'' Gibson, a senior from Tupelo, Miss., is averaging 42.4 yards per punt and Brandon McDonald is averaging 9.6 yards per punt return. ''We talk about how valuable it is to catch the (punt) and getting as much as you can out of it,'' McDonald said. ''It can overturn (the momentum) in the game or win the game.'' Several aspects of Tennessee's special teams have struggled, too. The Vols rank 118th (of 119 Division 1-A teams) in kickoff returns with a 12.6 average. They rank 80th nationally in punt returns (7.0 avg.). ''A lot of times that plays big in a game like this because their (second-team guys playing special teams) are four-star guys,'' West said. ''And a lot of time our twos aren't, so that can be a mismatch at times.'' West has attempted to strengthen his kickoff-coverage team by placing additional starters on the unit. ''I'd rather have the ball (on defense) at the 20 than the 40,'' West said. ''So I'll put better people on that team and, if I have to, I'll rest them on defense.'' Kevin Cobb's spectacular (and controversial) touchdown run in 1996 represents the last time a UofM player has returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Memphis's stretch of 108 games without returning a kickoff for a TD ranks as the sixth-longest current drought. ''As a group we'd like to be a big part of the game,'' special teams coach Tyson Helton said. West, who used to handle the Tiger special teams before hiring Helton two years ago, will be busy with an additonal duty of his own today. He assumed control of the UofM defense when he dismissed Dunn three games into the season It's a move that has had the Tennessee coaches digging out film from West's last stints as a defensive coordinator (at Memphis in 2000 and at South Carolina in 1991 and 1992. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said there is an unknown to how the Tiger defense will play. ''We're not sure what we're going to get," he said. "I think it'll be a real challenge for our offensive football team from a focus and recognition standpoint.'' If the Tiger defense can slow a Vol offense ranked 30th nationally (395 yards per game), the game could be as close as four of the past five in this series. The only lopsided game during the stretch came in 2001 in Knoxville when Tennessee won, 49-28. ''Memphis is always a tough battle,'' Fulmer said. ''If you look at the last several years and the scores of the games ... they've been real physical and close for the most part.'' -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543 -------------------- Follow the game with us on the web It probably won't be hostile, but sports reporter Jim Masilak is taking over TheMemphisEdge.com this morning to bring you live goings-on at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. At about 10 a.m., come check out Jim's blog. He'll spend the entire Tennessee-Memphis game writing live details on the game and mixing in commentary from fans who send him their thoughts. So come game time -- and even before -- get your laptop in front of the television, dial up ESPN on your TV and TheMemphisEdge.com on your computer and join in the fun. Jim will be waiting for your comments.

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09/30/06		Vols want one for the road -- Face first game away from Knoxville (Nashville Tennessean)
		By CHRIS LOW Staff Writer MEMPHIS — Quarterback Erik Ainge has the perfect blueprint for how Tennessee should not approach today's junket across the state to face Memphis at Liberty Bowl. "They will pull out everything to win this game," Ainge said. "We can't be thinking, 'Hey, we have Georgia next week. We're going to be 4-1 going into Georgia. "If we have that attitude, then we'll get beat. Memphis is a very, very athletic football team. We have to treat this like it is the most important game of the season." That's easier said than done with Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and LSU all looming on the horizon for the 15th-ranked Vols, who get their first taste of the road this season after doing some of their best work away from home the last few years. Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer is 17-5 on the road since the start of the 2001 season. That includes wins over four Top 5 teams. When Memphis upset Tennessee 21-17 in 1996, the goalposts came down as the Tigers celebrated their lone win in the series. UT receiver Jayson Swain said it's up to the Vols not to give the Tigers a reason to believe they can win today. "I feel like if we play our best game and we don't beat ourselves, we'll be fine," Swain said.

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09/30/06		West out to spring a surprise on Vols -- Memphis coach reworks defense (Nashville Tennessean)
		By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS Associated Press KNOXVILLE — Every time Memphis Coach Tommy West faces Tennessee it's like a reunion. The former Volunteer may have some surprises for his alma mater on Saturday. West took over as defensive coordinator after the Tigers' 35-20 loss at East Carolina, and he's keeping Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer and staff guessing at his game plan. "They're not going to know exactly," said West, who was in charge of the Memphis defense one year before he was promoted to head coach in 2001. "I'm sure they are going to take the 2000 tape when I was coordinator here and we played them. They are going to take that tape and look at it. But it's not going to be very similar, I can tell them that right now. They are wasting their time." The Vols know West pretty well. He played tight end in the mid-1970s while Fulmer was in his first years as a young coach for the Vols. West coached running backs at Tennessee for one year in 1990 while Fulmer and offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were assistants. The 15th-ranked Vols (3-1), who travel to Memphis (1-2), lead the cross-state series 19-1 with the lone Tigers' win coming in 1996 when Tennessee had Peyton Manning at quarterback. It remains one of the biggest wins in Memphis history. Three of Tennessee's last four wins in the series were by four points or fewer. The Vols needed a field goal with 13 seconds left to win in 2000. Tennessee won 49-28 in West's first season as head coach in 2001. "We're not sure what we're going to get, how much of what," Fulmer said. "During the course of the game, we'll have to get a feel of what they're trying to do and how much they're going to hang on to what they were doing, which is opposite in a lot of ways of what Coach West has done before." West fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn after the East Carolina loss and reportedly changed the scheme during last week's open date. This week's starting lineup has four defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs. Under Dunn, the starters were three linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs. The change is designed to put more pressure on the offense. "I think that's what he believes in," Cutcliffe said of West and the 4-3 alignment. "They could get right back to what they were doing pretty quickly. It will be interesting to see. There is a lot of information coming out of their camp. You don't know what to believe or what not to believe." Cutcliffe was 1-2 against Memphis when he was head coach at Mississippi. West said that so far he's pleased with how the players have taken to the changes. "If we had not had an open date, there's absolutely no way we could have done it. And to be honest, when we get to the game, I hope we get better as the game goes along," West said. n In the first three games, Memphis has allowed opponents to score an average of 25 points and record 185 yards rushing and 148 yards passing. The Tigers have intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble. West said Tennessee's offense will provide a test. The Vols have had more success passing the ball than running, getting some big plays from receivers Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain. Quarterback Erik Ainge has had 17 of 70 completions this season gain at least 20 yards. "We'll be able to mix some defenses," West said. "Mix a three-man front and a four-man front. Mix more coverages. Try to give the quarterback some different looks."

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09/30/06		UT-Memphis: Will history repeat itself for Tigers? (Jackson Sun)
		By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS The Associated Press MEMPHIS - Memphis coach Tommy West said it - Tennessee is not a team the Tigers are supposed to beat. Ten years ago, the unthinkable happened. The 15th-ranked Volunteers travel to Memphis (1-2) on Saturday hoping the past will not be repeated. "We're going to enjoy competing in this game. That's what I want them to do; have a good time competing against a Top 20 football team and let's see where you match up. Let's see how you can do," West said. "This is a chance to knock one off that you're not supposed to beat." Tennessee (3-1) leads the series over its cross-state rival 19-1. Memphis beat the Vols 21-17 in 1996 in the Liberty Bowl. Tennessee was ranked sixth, favored to win by 26 points and Peyton Manning was the quarterback. The Tigers intercepted two passes by Manning and sacked him three times. Memphis tied the game at 14 in the third quarter with a 95-yard kickoff return that was allowed to continue even though Memphis' Kevin Cobb touched the ground with his elbow. Tennessee then added a field goal to go ahead with six minutes left. Memphis took the lead with 34 seconds left when Qadry Anderson completed a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Powers. "That was one of their biggest moments in their football history, and one of our toughest losses," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said. "It's not something that brings back a lot of pleasant memories." West, who played tight end at Tennessee, was head coach at Clemson at the time. He was named defensive coordinator at Memphis in 2000 and then promoted to coach in 2001. Since 1996, Tennessee has won four straight over the Tigers. Only the Vols' 49-28 win in 2001 has been a blowout. The others were decided by one, two and four points. The Tigers had last week off and spent the time on defense learning a new scheme. West fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn and has changed to a more conventional 4-3 alignment. A loss for the Vols would be devastating especially coming off last year's 5-6 finish. They have had mixed reviews in their first four games - all played in Neyland Stadium. The passing game has been more successful than the running game so far, and overall offensive production has improved since a year ago. Tennessee beat Memphis 20-16 last year in Knoxville, but it was a struggle, even with the nation's leading rusher, Memphis' DeAngelo Williams, sitting out because of injury. The Tigers led 13-0 in the second quarter until the Vols' Rick Clausen came off the bench and threw for two touchdowns to move ahead. Memphis had a field goal to regain the lead by two, and Tennessee added two field goals in the fourth quarter for the win. "The quarterback is obviously playing a lot better than a year ago," West said of Erik Ainge. "He was terrible against us a year ago and got benched. You can tell now this guy is reading coverage because he puts the ball where it is supposed to go. They've always been pretty good running the football. This year, I think they are much better throwing and catching." Tennessee is hoping to get the ground game going again before they face No. 10 Georgia and its motivated defense next week. "I definitely think Memphis gets up to play us. That's one of their bigger games of the year," Tennessee tailback LaMarcus Coker said. "They definitely will be ready for us when we get there."

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09/30/06		Libero Christen Clayton Sets Memphis Digs Record, Tigers Outlast UAB 3-2 -- Memphis improves to 16-2 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - UAB (13-5; 2-2 C-USA) 30 14 30 27 10 Memphis (16-2; 3-1 C-USA) 19 30 26 30 15 Senior libero Christen Clayton made a match-high 23 digs to become Memphis' career digs leader, and Shelby Burton downed 20 kills as the Tigers overcame a two games-to-one deficit to edge UAB 3-2 in Conference USA action Friday night. Memphis improves to 16-2 on the year and has now won three-straight matches. "This was a total team effort," head coach Carrie Yerty said. "The environment was electric. The Blue Crew helped pull us through a tough match. I was proud of the team's persistence." Clayton's 12th dig of the night--in game three--gave her the record that was formerly held by Amie Hamilton. She is the first Tiger ever to eclipse the 1,500-dig plateau and now has 1,503 for her career. "There is not a more deserving player than Christen to set the all-time digs record at Memphis," Yerty said. "She is a great leader and it has been a pleasure to coach her. I look forward to watching her lead this team." The Tigers fell behind 4-0 in game five, but bounced back behind its boisterous crowd to take a 6-5 lead on a service ace by Ashley Liford. Liford led all players with four aces on the night. Tiger setter Laura Côté gave Memphis the lead for good at 9-8 on a kill, and kill by Sarah Bury capped a three-point run that put the Tigers ahead 11-8. Colette Ramirez and Melissa Nance posted blocks and Ramirez sealed the come-from-behind win with two of her nine kills. Memphis fell behind 2-1 after UAB claimed a 30-26 win in game three. However, a determined Tiger side would not be denied as they held UAB to .171 hitting, while posting a .324 clip of its own in a 30-27 game four triumph. Memphis led the Blazers 27-19 late in the set before a strong charge by UAB closed the advantage to just 29-27. UAB threatened to cut the Memphis lead to one point, but its rally was cut short when Bury and Nance teamed up for assisted blocks to end the game 30-27. Memphis got off to a rough start, hitting just .116 in the opening frame. Yerty's crew rebounded to tie the match at 1-1 with a dominant game two performance. The Tigers hit .571 with a 16-11 advantage in kills in the second game. They held UAB to a .105 mark. Nance tied a career-high with 17 kills and seven blocks in a strong all-around performance for Memphis. Côté had 49 assists and nine digs. The Tigers served up 11 aces, but also committed 16 errors from the service line. Defensively, Liford made 10 digs and Bury finished with 14. Ivana Bozic posted a double-double of 17 kills and 14 digs for UAB, who falls for the second time in as many matches. Setter Nevena Stefanova had a double-double (55 assists, 14 digs) as did Fernanda Domingos (15 kills, 10 digs). Memphis returns to action next Friday when it travels to Marshall for a 7 p.m. matchup with the league's reining champs. The Tigers will then travel to ECU for a Sunday afternoon contest with the Pirates.

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09/29/06		Women's Soccer Ties With ECU 1-1 -- Memphis out shoots Pirates 29-6 (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Despite getting off a season high 29 shots, the Memphis women's soccer team was unable to put away East Carolina on Friday at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, battling the Pirates to a 1-1 tie. "I thought we played really well," said Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan. "Sometimes when you play well you don't win, and that was the case tonight." The Lady Tigers (4-4-2) were on the attack early. Memphis forward Geneil Newbern and defender Kate Murphy both missed close shots in the first 15 minutes of action. Sophomore transfer Maiko Higashiyama got a brilliant chance off of a Shoko Mikami corner, but East Carolina keeper Amber Campbell came up with the save. With 13 minutes remaining in the first half, Newbern displayed her athleticism, driving the ball from near midfield through the Pirate defense and knocking home a shot from the top the box. It was the third goal of the year for the Memphis native. The Pirates were able to catch the Lady Tigers celebrating and countered less than a minute later on a Jessica Swanson goal with an assist from Kami York-Feirn. The teams headed to the half with score tied 1-1. The second half saw the teams battle back and forth for the first 20 minutes. Memphis managed to keep the action in front of East Carolina's net for most of the period, and out-shot the Lady Pirates 10 to nil. Emiko Schwab got of a clean shot with one minute remaining, but the ball hit the cross bar and bounced down into the box where it was cleared by East Carolina. Despite dominating the action the Lady Tigers were unable to score and the match headed into overtime. Neither squad was able to mount a series threat through both overtimes. Memphis out-shot the Pirates a combined four to two in the two extra periods. It was the second consecutive tie for Memphis after a 0-0 final in its last match against Missouri State. East Carolina's record moved to 5-4-2, and the Pirates had their two match winning streak snapped. "We're still confident coming out of this match," said Monaghan. "We believe in ourselves, and I believe we're on the right track. Eventually it will start to come together." The Lady Tigers will be in action again Sunday when they host the Marshall Thundering Herd at 1 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex for their second conference match.

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09/29/06		No. 15 Tigers Return to Memphis -- Tilt with Tulsa opens C-USA home schedule (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn- For the first time in over two weeks, the No. 15 University of Memphis men's soccer team (7-2-0, 0-1-0 C-USA) will return to Mike Rose Soccer Complex when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-6-0, 1-0-0 C-USA) on Saturday at 7 p.m. Fans presenting a ticket stub from the Memphis-UT football game earlier on Saturday and any fan wearing a soccer jersey will receive free admission. The last time Memphis took the pitch at Mike Rose, they picked up a 2-0 win over Central Arkansas to push their home winning streak to three games. The Tigers then took to the road for three straight games and came away with two victories. Memphis defeated Air Force 3-1 on Sept. 15 and Denver 2-1 two days later before opening C-USA play at No. 11 South Carolina on Sept. 24 and dropping a 2-1 heartbreaker in double overtime to the Gamecocks. "Obviously, we were disappointed after the game, but the mood on the team is excellent. We're ready to play another game. We've trained very hard this week and the lads can't wait to play again," head coach Richie Grant said. "We're looking for bounce back ability, right now. This team has been resilient all year and we're looking for a good response after a tough game." The Tigers four game road winning streak, which tied a school record set in 1996-97 and again in 2004, came to an end at South Carolina. However, Memphis retained their No. 15 national ranking in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. The Tigers are also ranked second in the Midwest region by the NSCAA behind conference rival SMU and ahead of C-USA teams UAB and Kentucky. The Tigers will look to regain their winning form when they open their home conference schedule against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane has had an up-and-down season that has lead to a 3-6-0 record. Tulsa defeated early season ranked opponent UW-Milwaukee and took tough losses from nationally ranked teams such as Brown, Indiana, and New Mexico. The Golden Hurricane proved they were still a dangerous team when they picked up the 2-1 win in their C-USA opener against UCF on Sept. 23. However, a 1-0 loss to Centenary on Sept. 26 means Tulsa will also be looking to get back on track. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The Tigers will hit the road again when they continue C-USA play by visiting UCF on Oct. 4. Production Line Thanks in large part to a strong line of forwards and attacking midfielders, the Memphis attack continues to be ranked among the top offenses in the nation, outscoring opponents 21-12 in nine games. Junior Midfielder Kevin Walsh leads the Tigers with six goals and seven assists. However, with Walsh forced to sit out of Saturday's contest after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, the Tigers will look elsewhere provide a scoring threat. Sophomore midfielder Tripp Harkins has five goals on the season, already surpassing the total from his freshman season. Harkins' classmate Shaun Goulding has also proven to be a dependable scoring threat, notching two game-winning goals and recording three assists. Junior forward/midfielder Jared Britcher is back to full health after sitting out three games due to illness. In just six games, Britcher has recorded three goals. Meanwhile, freshman forward Brian Farrell has scored three times and added two assists in the first nine games of his career. Altogether, the Tiger midfielders and forwards have combined for 19 of the team's 21 goals and have lead the Tiger offense into the national rankings. "Basically, we need to keep doing what we're doing," Grant said. "We're playing well right now. We've played some our best futbol in our two losses. Unfortunately, we'll need to replace Kevin, but we feel that area is well taken care of. We're just looking for our players to welcome the opportunity to play in another tough game." TIGERS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS Team: Scoring Offense: 15th (2.33 goals per game) Win-Loss-Tie Percentage: 22nd (0.778) Individual: Points per Game: Kevin Walsh 11th (2.11) Assist per Game: Kevin Walsh 5th (0.78) The Best Defense... Senior defender Jamie Gilbert has been helping the Tiger attack from the backfield. The transfer from Vanderbilt has two goals on the season, both of them game-winners. The Broken Arrow, Okla., native is tied for the team lead in game-winners with Shaun Goulding. "We've won some very tight games in non-conference thanks to Shaun and Jamie scoring important goals," Grant said. "We've been real pleased with Jamie's attacking contribution from the back, and Shaun has the ability to have a big impact on all conference games."

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09/29/06		Tigers to Host Vols Saturday Morning on ESPN (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, TENN. - The University of Memphis Tigers will host an early game with the 15th-ranked Tennessee Vols on Saturday. The game will be broadcast by ESPN and kick-off is slated for 11 a.m. Sean McDonough will provide the play-by-play call, while Chris Spielman will provide the color commentary. Rob Stone will serve as the sideline reporter. Fans are reminded that this is also the last weekend of the Mid-South Fair and they are advised to arrive early for the game. Fair admission is free with your game ticket, and U of M students can show their school ID for free admission to the fair. The Sept. 30 game will be the 21st overall meeting between the two schools on the gridiron. Tennessee holds a commanding 19-1 lead in the series. The last time the Tigers and Volunteers met was last year, with Tennessee pulling out a narrow 20-16 victory in Knoxville. Tennessee holds an 8-1 series advantage in games played in Memphis. The Volunteers won the last encounter at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, a 19-17 win in the 2000 campaign. The Tigers' lone victory in the series came at home in 1996 when they upset the Volunteers 21-17. UT was ranked sixth nationally in that meeting. Since the series began in 1968, Tennessee has been nationally ranked entering the meeting in 10 of the 20 games. They have been in the top 10 in seven meetings, with a high ranking of No. 4 in 1985 in which the Vols won, 17-7 in Memphis. WOULDN'T A WIN BE GREAT ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY? This Saturday's meeting with Tennessee marks the 10th anniversary of the stunning upset victory for the Tigers over the Vols. In the 1996 game, the Vols came to town ranked sixth nationally and a record-setting crowd of 65,885 was on hand to witness the Tigers defeat the Vols, 21-17. Two key Tiger plays in that game that will forever be remembered were Kevin Cobb's 95-yard kick-off return for a TD to tie the score at 14; and the touchdown pass from Qadry Anderson to Chris Powers with six minutes left in the game to seal the win. Cobb received an ESPY for the return and the play was also selected as college football's play of the year. And another interesting note - Sean McDonough, who will serve as the play-by-play announcer for Saturday's game, was also on the broadcast crew in the 1996 game. RECENT CLOSE CALLS In-state rivalries usually bring out the best in both teams, so it's no surprise that recent battles in the Memphis-Tennessee match-up have been close. Of the eight meetings since 1991, six have been decided by 11 or fewer points. To take it further, five of those six contests were decided by single digits. The average margin of victory in the last eight games is 9.5 points (76 total points). ANOTHER ODD, EARLY MEETING On Sept. 16, the Tigers played East Carolina -- a game that usually takes place in November. Well, Memphis and Tennessee also are doing the same on Sept. 30 with a rare early game between the two in-state rivals. Of the 20 previous encounters, 14 were played in the month of November. The last time Memphis and Tennessee played in the month of September was the 1999 season, and the Volunteers squeaked out a 17-16 victory in Knoxville. The other years the Memphis-Tennessee game did not take place in November were 1988, 1981, 1972, 1969 and 1968. U OF M STAFF VS. THE ALMA MATER The Sept. 30 Memphis-Tennessee game will be the second of three contests this year where it will pit a member of the Tiger coaching staff against his alma mater. The Sept. 30 match-up will have Memphis mentor Tommy West coaching against his alma mater (1976 UT graduate) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Later on this season, assistants Tim Keane and Kenny Ingram will face their alma mater, Arkansas State, on Oct. 14. Then, in late November, Clay and Tyson Helton will coach Memphis against their alma mater, Houston. TALK ABOUT STATE REPRESENTATION In the Sept. 30 game, the state of Tennessee will be well represented on the playing field when Memphis meets Tennessee. A combined 89 players (48 Memphis, 41 Tennessee) from the state are listed on the team's two rosters. ON THIS DATE... The Tigers have a 4-4 record when they have played on Sept. 30 in the program's history. The last time Memphis played on Sept. 30 was the 2000 campaign when the Tigers fell to then-No. 21 Southern Miss 24-3 in Hattiesburg.

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09/29/06		Cross Country Teams to Run in Rhodes Invitational -- Power excited by team's progress thus far (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis cross country team will stay a little closer to home for its meet this weekend when it runs in the Rhodes Invitational at Plough Park on Saturday. First year cross country coach Mike Power is enthusiastic about the progress his team is making everyday in practice. "This was honestly the best week of training we have had so far," said Power. "Hopefully, we can carry that over into the race tomorrow." After establishing herself as one of the Lady Tigers most consistent runners last season, sophomore Emily Malinowski has stepped up to lead her team in the first two meets of 2006. The New York native finished second overall last weekend at the UALR Open. On the men's side a pair of Tigers is competing to be the squad's top runner. Sophomores Juan Arboleda and Geoff Standen have emerged each led the team in one meet this year. Standen finished 29th at the Western Kentucky Old Timers' Classic, while Arboleda stepped up last week to take 13th place at the UALR Open. The Rhodes Invitational will be the first of two consecutive local meets for Memphis. The team will compete in the Brooks Memphis Twilight Classic on Oct. 7. "Everyone is excited about staying close to home, and I really think it's an advantage to us to not have to travel very far," said Power. "Tomorrow I'd like to see us begin to run with a little more consistency."

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09/29/06		'I can still see that ball' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 29, 2006 What Chris Powers remembers about the pass some regard as the most memorable reception in the University of Memphis football history is this: It wasn't intended for him. At least, that's the story he tells. Powers was a tight end for the UofM in 1996 and, from what he recalls, not an option on the game-winning, 3-yard touchdown catch he made to give the Tigers a 21-17 victory over the sixth-ranked Tennessee Vols. He said quarterback Qadry Anderson was looking for wide receiver Damien Dodson. "(Anderson) turned to Damien in the huddle and said, 'Get open, I'll be throwing it to you,'" Powers said. "All I know is on the play I turned around and the ball was halfway to me." Powers' TD catch came with 34 seconds remaining in the game and capped an improbable fourth-quarter drive. The Tigers had managed but 84 yards total offense before beginning their game-winning drive at the UofM 31. Powers' TD capped a march that included a key fourth-and-short conversion, a 41-yard pass to Chancy Carr to the Tennessee 16 and a 13-yard run by Jeremy Scruggs to the UT 3-yard line. After Scruggs was stopped for no gain on the following snap, the Tigers called time out with 40 seconds to go, setting up the throw, which Powers reached up to corral near the right front corner of the end zone. "You have different times in your life where your mind takes a mental snapshot," Powers said. "I can still see that ball on its way halfway to me." Powers said the ball, which was thrown high, barely remained in his hands. "Basically, I just kind of threw my hands up there and the ball stuck," he said. "I caught the back end of the football." There was bedlam after the game, and Powers remembers the celebrations that broke out on the field and the goalposts coming down. And he recalls the satisfaction the offense had in allowing the defense to bask in the glory of the upset. "The defense had carried us the entire game," Power said. "We had been so bad as an offense. I think the defense may have disowned us if we hadn't won." Powers, 30, is in his sixth year as pilot for Continental Airlines and is based in Memphis. He said he'll be at Saturday's game against the Vols at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. While he expects to be asked about The Catch, he said he doesn't expect to field questions about two other moments from the game. He said he was the middle guy in the wedge on the kickoff return team and threw a key block that sprung Kevin Cobb on his 95-yard TD. He also had a second catch in the game, one that gained 8 yards. "The other catch, the one for 8 yards, was a better catch," Powers said. "It was a diving catch on the sidelines where I drug my feet. No one remembers that." -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543 -------------------- No. 15 Tennessee at Memphis When, where: Saturday, 11 a.m., at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium TV, radio: ESPN, WREC-AM (600), KQPN-AM (730) Tickets: Still available for $50.

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09/29/06		'I have the ESPY on my mantel at home' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Geoff Calkins Contact September 29, 2006 You can tell us now, Kevin Cobb. Were you down? "If I was down, the referee right in front of me would have called it," he says. Cobb is talking about the 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter of the 1996 game that tied the score, won him an ESPY and gave Memphis the jolt it needed to defeat Tennessee, 21-17. "I was just trying to get a good return," he said. "When it happened, I was like, 'Did that really happen?' I just kept running until I got to the end zone." Cobb -- who played at Memphis along with his brother, Keith -- spent another five years playing arena ball. "Los Angeles, Arizona, Chicago, Oklahoma City," he says. "New York/New Jersey and Memphis at the end. I never made a lot of money, but I don't live real high. I bought a house and a new truck." When football ended, Cobb found a job in Memphis teaching school. Two years ago, he moved to Georgia, where he now teaches and coaches at South Cobb High. "During my interview, they said, well, you're a Cobb, we've got to have you at South Cobb," he said. And his players know all about his kick return, too. They've seen it on YouTube.com. "At least twice a week, someone comes up to me and says they saw it," he says. "They're like, 'I saw your return, Coach!'" As for the controversy over the kick, Cobb seems to enjoy that, too. He was knifed down early in the return. According to replays, his elbow plainly hit the ground. Cobb barely even slowed. He sprang up, kept running and swears he's never looked back. "It must have been legal," he says. "I have the ESPY on my mantel at home."

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09/29/06		'Nothing but green grass in front of me' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 29, 2006 Disbelief. Ten years later, that's the word that comes to mind when Keith Spann thinks about the University of Memphis' watershed win over Tennessee. "Disbelief," Spann said, "that I didn't score." After intercepting Peyton Manning late in the second quarter of the Tigers' clash with the sixth-ranked Vols on Nov. 9, 1996, the free safety raced 76 yards before finally being corralled at the 1-yard line. While Qadry Anderson scored moments later to give the Tigers their first touchdown in an eventual 21-17 win, Spann still can't quite believe he came three feet short of hitting personal pay dirt. "I remember (Manning) checking at the line. We were sending a blitz, but I thought it would be something quick," Spann said. "I couldn't believe he would throw it right to me. Then there was nothing but green grass in front of me." Spann sprinted down the sideline but found himself hemmed in by a backpedaling Manning. As they eyed one another, Vols receiver Peerless Price came racing across from the opposite side of the field, closing in with every step. "Part of it was I was tired," Spann said in explaining how he came up just shy of the end zone. "Part of it was that Peerless Price was running about 100 mph, and he had the angle on me. Peyton was playing cat and mouse, trying to keep me pinned in along the sideline." By the time Spann made his move, Price had all but closed the gap. "I tried to fire, but I was gassed," Spann said. "I was so close." While Spann takes pride in the upset his interception helped spark, he bristles at the idea that this one win is all he and his teammates are remembered for a decade later. "I'm constantly reminded of that one play. I had other plays," he said. "When I played over there in '93 and '94, the defense was better than in '96. Nobody hardly remembers that we were ranked No. 1 in defense at one time that year ('94)." Now a physical education teacher at Wooddale Middle, Spann is also an assistant to former Tiger teammate and Wooddale High football coach Cedric Miller. Spann hopes to one day run his own program as a head coach. That time is of the essence is reinforced by his suspicion that few of the Cardinals know about the Tigers' historic win over the Vols a decade ago. "A lot of these guys were 5, 6, 7 years old at the time. I don't think too many of them even know about that game," Spann said. "It's been a quick 10 years."

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09/29/06		'Something was different' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 29, 2006 The University of Memphis' victory over Tennessee on Nov. 9, 1996, wasn't the only upset in the sporting world that day. In Las Vegas that same night, Evander Holyfield beat Mike Tyson for the world heavyweight boxing title with an 11th-round TKO. "There were a lot of upsets that (day)," said Richard Hogans, a linebacker for the UofM 1993-96. "It was just in the air if you think about that day." Hogans sensed something was different in the hour or so before game time as a record crowd of 68,885 packed Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The place was rocking in a way Hogans had never before seen -- or heard -- for a Tiger football game. "We were on the field for warmups and it was starting to get crowded," Hogans recalled. "But later, when we all in the locker room, that's when you could tell something was different. Every time the door to the locker room would open, you could hear the crowd. Then it would shut and it would get quiet. "That's when you sensed the magnitude of the game." Hogans played his part in the Tigers' 21-17 victory, racking up 13 tackles as the Tigers, who made 16 tackles for loss, harried Peyton Manning and the Vols into a number of major miscues. The tone, Hogans said, had been set during practice in the days leading up to the game. "Everybody was serious. There was no joking around," Hogans said. "Usually in practice we had some fun but it was all business." Despite being huge underdogs, he added, the Tigers never saw themselves in that light. "We never thought about losing," Hogans said. "We knew it was gonna be a tough game, but the idea that it was a long shot never crept into my mind." Now the director of performance enhancement for the UofM men's basketball team, Hogans said some of the current Tigers recall arguably the greatest win in the football program's history. "We talk football all the time," Hogans said. "Some of the guys, they have thoughts of crossing over and giving football a try every now and then." Hogans chuckles a bit at the thought. Then he is asked to consider the legacy of the most famous 4-7 team in Tiger football history. "The win speaks for itself," he said. "We're going down in Tiger lore as the first and only team to beat UT. "So far." -- Jim Masilak: 529-2311

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09/29/06		'Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 29, 2006 He's been a bounty hunter, a professional football player and now, at age 30, Jeremy Scruggs is trying his hand, or hands, at boxing. No matter how successful Scruggs becomes in this next phase of his career, the fledgling cruiserweight will always be remembered -- as long as he trades his punches in Memphis -- for contributing to a stunning knockout blow on Nov. 9, 1996. On that late afternoon nearly 10 years ago, Scruggs delivered a powerful punch to the Vols' midsection -- a 13-yard run to the Tennessee 3-yard line in the closing minute -- to help the University of Memphis to an improbable 21-17 victory over sixth-ranked Tennessee. ''I was a little upset for a second that I didn't score on my run,'' said Scruggs, a fullback. ''Then I remember saying 'Get back in the huddle, we've got three yards to get.''' Most remember Scruggs popping up from the pile after the run and emphatically signaling first down. ''I don't know if I'll ever live that down, that play, that game,'' Scruggs said. ''And I don't think I want to. When I busted through the line and made a little move and saw the end zone, I just kept saying 'Don't fumble, don't fumble.' Then I got stopped and got up and signaled first down.'' Scruggs was given a chance to score the winning touchdown, but was stopped for no gain by Vols linebacker Al Wilson. On the ensuing play, quarterback Qadry Anderson tossed the game-winning 3-yard pass to tight end Chris Powers. ''I was just very happy to have the opportunity to play in that game,'' Scruggs said. In the mid-1990s -- several years before Tommy West would take over the program and lead the UofM to three straight bowls -- Tiger football was mired in mediocrity. The UofM hadn't been to a bowl since 1971. The 1996 team wasn't going, either. It had struggled to a 3-6 record before Tennessee came calling. ''It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people who play at a school like Memphis, where you didn't always get the exposure and chance to play teams like that on a regular basis, to play a team like Tennessee,'' Scruggs said. ''It was our time to say we were somebody, that we had good players and could succeed playing somebody at the highest level.'' Scruggs said he felt as if the Tigers would complete the comeback when receiver Chancy Carr caught a 41-yard pass from Anderson to give the UofM a first down at the Tennessee 16. ''After that I said to myself there is no way we can't score here,'' Scruggs said. ''At the minimum, we'll get a field goal, but we aren't kicking a field goal.'' Scruggs, 1-1 in his young fight career, has a bout scheduled for Tuesday at the New Daisy on Beale. While he loves his newest sport, it may be a while before it creates the memories his former sport did, especially the one from 10 years ago. ''I remember (Tiger basketball stars) Cedric Henderson and Chris Garner and all those guys were in our locker room after the game,'' Scruggs said. ''People were in tears. It was unbelievable. And a lot of the Tennessee people were very supportive. They came up and said, 'Y'all lined up and beat us.' ''It was just electric. If anyone would have said before the game, 'I'll take Memphis to win,' they would have been laughed all the way to China.''

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09/29/06		Calkins: If you're not there already, you're late (Commercial Appeal)
		Yo! Put down the coffee, stop lollygagging, get in the car and drive. To the Liberty Bowl, silly, for the Memphis-Tennessee game. What, you thought you'd wait until game day? "We're asking fans to give themselves plenty of time to get there," said Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson. By "plenty of time" he meant "a Wednesday departure would be safe." As long as it was Wednesday morning, anyway. Which is to say, if you're not reading this in the Liberty Bowl parking lot, you're already cooked. Smart people know this. Like the nice man who approached me the other day, before a speech I was going to give. "I need a favor," he said. "My wife is going to ask you, during the question-and-answer period, what time we should leave for the game. I need you to say 'no later than 8 a.m.'" "Deal," I told him. "And don't tell her I did this," he said. Tell her? Me? Sure enough, as promised, the woman asked what time she should leave. I told her then the same thing I'm telling you now. Go. Get. Scram. Be off with you. Memphis handles traffic like Memphis handles elections. And elections don't have swine, Krystal eating contests and giant turkey legs. OK, maybe swine. And giant turkeys. But not giant turkey legs. The point is, leave by 8 a.m. at the latest. It's going to be a mess. And I'd say that even if the nice man hadn't asked me to. Anyway, the picks ... Local games Tennessee at Memphis: Sean McDonough broadcast the Tigers' win over Tennessee in 1996. McDonough is broadcasting Saturday's game, too. You know what this means, right? Uh-huh. McDonough will now be 1-1. The pick: Tennessee 35, Memphis 20. Georgia at Ole Miss: Take heart, Ole Miss fans. It's always darkest before the dawn. Although I bet it's also pretty dark before a giant meteor hits. The pick: Georgia 23, Ole Miss 6. Mississippi State at LSU: Sylvester Croom said this week that "I'm going to be me from now on." Which is a welcome development, isn't it? Mississippi State fans were getting weary of him being Ron Zook. The pick: LSU 45, Mississippi State 0. SEC Game of the Week Alabama at Florida: The good news is there's an actual Web site called KeepMikeShula.com. The bad news is it was started by Auburn fans. The pick: Florida 33, Alabama 14. C-USA Game of the Week SMU at Tulane: We're looking live at the Superdome, where, oddly enough, Joe Theismann is still talking. The pick: SMU 27, Tulane 17. National Game of the Week Ohio State at Iowa: This will be played at Kinnick Stadium, named for the great Nile Kinnick, who won the Heisman in 1939. Kinnick went on to law school before being killed in a training accident in World War II. Three years before he died, asked to speak at a political event, Kinnick said the following: "When the members of any nation have come to regard their country as nothing more than the plot of ground on which they reside, and their government as a mere organization for providing police or contracting treaties; when they have ceased to entertain any warmer feelings for one another than those which interest or personal friendship or a mere general philanthropy may produce, the moral dissolution of that nation is at hand." Hmmm. Plainly educated online, don't you think? And when you read that, don't you wonder, just a little, where we went wrong? The pick: Ohio State 27, Iowa 17. Last week: 4-3 straight up, 3-4 against the spread. For the season: 22-12 straight up, 15-17 against the spread, two games had no line. To reach Geoff Calkins, call him at 529-2364 or e-mail

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09/29/06		Countdown to UT-Memphis: West's game plan should leave Vols coaches guessing (Jackson Sun)
		By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS The Associated Press KNOXVILLE - Every time Memphis coach Tommy West faces Tennessee it's like a reunion. The former Volunteer may have some surprises for his alma mater on Saturday. West took over the defensive coordinator responsibilities after the Tigers' 35-20 loss at East Carolina two weeks ago, and he's keeping Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and staff guessing at his game plan. "They're not going to know exactly. I'm sure they are going to take the 2000 tape when I was coordinator here and we played them. They are going to take that tape and look at it. But it's not going to be very similar, I can tell them that right now. They are wasting their time," said West, who was in charge of the Memphis defense one year before he was promoted to head coach in 2001. The Vols know West pretty well. He played tight end in the mid-1970s while Fulmer was in his first years as a young coach for the Vols after graduating from the university. West coached running backs at Tennessee for one year in 1990 while Fulmer and now-offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe were assistants. The 15th-ranked Vols (3-1), who travel to Memphis (1-2), lead the cross-state series 19-1 with the lone Tigers' win coming in 1996 when Tennessee had Peyton Manning at quarterback. It remains one of the biggest victories in Memphis history. Three of Tennessee's last four wins in the series were by four points or less. The Vols needed a field goal with 13 seconds left to win in 2000. Tennessee won 49-28 in West's first season as head coach in 2001. "We're not sure what we're going to get, how much of what," Fulmer said. "During the course of the game we'll have to get a feel of what they're trying to do and how much they're going to hang on to what they were doing, which is exactly opposite in a lot of ways of what coach West has done before." West fired defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn after the East Carolina loss and, in the two weeks the Tigers have had off since then, he's replaced Dunn's 3-3 alignment with a 4-3. The change is designed to put more pressure on the offense. "I think that's what he believes in," Cutcliffe said. "They could get right back to what they were doing pretty quickly. It will be interesting to see. There is a lot of information coming out of their camp. You don't know what to believe or what not to believe." West said so far he's pleased with the way the players have taken to the changes. "If we had not had an open date, there's absolutely no way we could have done it. None. And to be honest, when we get to the game Saturday, I hope we get better as the game goes along," West said. "We'll be very simple to try and not let them run by us and have somebody wide open because we bust a coverage or do something we're not supposed to do." In the first three games, Memphis has allowed an average of 25 points and 185 yards rushing and 148 yards passing. The Tigers have intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble. West said Tennessee's offense will provide a test of the new defensive look. The Vols have had more success passing the ball than running, getting some big plays from receivers Robert Meachem and Jayson Swain. Quarterback Erik Ainge has had 17 of his 70 completions so far this season gain at least 20 yards. "We'll be able to mix some defenses," West said. "Mix a three-man front and a four-man front. Mix more coverages. Try to give the quarterback some different looks." What's on tap What: Vols (3-1) at Memphis (1-2) When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Liberty Bowl TV: ESPN

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09/29/06		UT rocky in Memphis -- Recruiting Bluff City is frustrating for Vols (Nashville Tennessean)
		By CHRIS LOW Staff Writer KNOXVILLE — Senior offensive guard David Ligon knows what Tennessee is up against Saturday when it travels to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to take on Memphis. Ligon grew up in Germantown, a Memphis suburb, and played high school ball for his father at Christian Brothers. He understands unequivocally what this game means to the Tigers. "I was there for the 1996 game when Memphis beat UT, and I was at the 2000 game when Memphis almost pulled off the upset again," Ligon said. "I was there for the 2001 game and last year was obviously close. "To say it's their Super Bowl, I can't really say. I'm not a member of the Memphis football team. But I imagine they get pretty excited to try and beat the big, bad Tennessee Volunteers." For Tennessee, this game is more about surviving and moving on. Coach Phillip Fulmer might not say it publicly, but this is a game he would never schedule if he were making those decisions. There's very little to be gained and tons to lose from Tennessee's perspective. Fulmer has done his best to be politically correct about the series, which has just three games remaining in the current contract after Saturday's game. "You've got Alabama that's an across-the-border rival, Georgia, Kentucky and Vanderbilt," Fulmer said. "You can't just pick out one or two. They all hate us. They're all rivals, and they're all a big game for those people." Some might argue that the real value for Tennessee in playing this game is for recruiting purposes. After all, Memphis is the largest city in the state, and to start the 2004 season, the school had 11 players that were on NFL rosters. But recruiting in Memphis has never been a simple proposition for the Vols. The six-hour drive doesn't help, nor did some of the dirty recruiting that came to a head with the trial and conviction of the late Logan Young, a rabid Alabama booster. More than anything, though, the Vols simply haven't had much success recently with Memphis-based products. Ligon is the lone starter on the current team from the Memphis metropolitan area, although tight ends Brad Cottam and Jeff Cottam both play. Two of the most productive Memphis products to play for the Vols under Fulmer were former Melrose High standouts Cedrick Wilson and Andre Lott, both of whom are in the NFL right now. But after Lott left Tennessee following the 2001 season, defensive tackle Mondre Dickerson was the only other player from Memphis to become a regular starter at Tennessee, until Ligon cracked the starting lineup last season. Dickerson's career, though, was cut short. He was dismissed from the team during the 2003 season after being accused of rape. Some of the other Memphis products who didn't make it at Tennessee for various reasons include Todd Cox, Malcom Rawls, LaRon Harris, Ruben Mayes and Courtney Rogers. But the Vols will keep trying and currently have their sights set on linebacker Chris Walker of Christian Brothers. "For a while, it was a little different there," said Fulmer, referring to the Young-Albert Means scandal. "But I don't think there's anywhere in the country that we can't go in and compete. Yes, you're still talking about six hours away and a lot of schools between here and there and around, but not many of them with the tradition or the facilities of Tennessee. "We can go to Cincinnati quicker and do just about as well or go to Asheville (N.C.). But we're still the state university, and there's a lot of support in that area."

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09/28/06		Sept. 28: Bad start a good omen for Memphis? (Nashville Tennessean)
		By MIKE ORGAN Staff Writer So much of the talk this week leading up to the Memphis-Tennessee game has been on the Tigers’ startling 21-17 upset in 1996 over the Vols, who were ranked sixth nationally. It’s the 10th anniversary of that historic game – the Tigers' first win over UT in 16 years. UT is not ranked so highly this year, nor do the Vols feature a QB (Peyton Manning) on his way to becoming the best in the NFL, as they did in ‘96. But a Memphis win Saturday at the Liberty Bowl would be nearly as startling as the one was a decade ago. The two teams located on opposite ends of the state are heading in opposite directions. UT, coming off one of its worse seasons in modern history, can come within a game of matching its win total for last year by beating the Tigers. The Vols, a two-touchdown favorite, apparently have solved their biggest conundrum with QB Erik Ainge having made huge strides. And suddenly the running back position looks much better with former Antioch High star LeMarcus Coker having a breakout game last week. The Vols are finding answers while the Tigers are coming up with more and more questions. No one expected the offense to be as potent as last year. Not after losing Heisman Trophy candidate DeAngelo Williams as well as versatile Maurice Avery, a receiver who became the Tigers' fourth starting QB and looked like he belonged there all along. But the offense hasn’t given Coach Tommy West nearly as many headaches as the defense. West finally took the reigns of the unit two weeks ago when he fired his defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn. Things went from bad to worse this week when West revealed that at least four defensive starters – end Corey Mills along with defensive backs Wesley Smith, Chris Huffman and Brandon Patterson – are hampered by injuries. UT doesn’t look like a contender for the national championship, as it did going into the game in ‘96, but Memphis appears to be every bit as outmatched as it did back then.

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09/28/06		Volleyball Set for Rematch with UAB -- Tigers look to avenge last week's loss to Blazers (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Just 10 days after suffering its second loss of the season and first of the C-USA campaign, the University of Memphis volleyball team looks to keep pace in the league standings with a rematch with UAB on Friday night. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. Memphis is off to a 15-2 start through 17 matches--the program's second-best start ever. It is second only to the 2003 team's 16-1 start through 17 contests. Over the last three years the Tigers have thrived when playing at home. Since 2004, Memphis is 26-3 at home, including turning in an 8-1 mark this year. Senior libero Christen Clayton will highlight Friday night's matchup for the Tigers. The Houston, Texas native is just 11 digs shy of Memphis' career digs record set by Amie Hamilton from 1998-2001. Clayton has recorded 10 or more digs in 16 of the Tigers' 17 matches, including tying a career-high with 32 digs against Rice on Sunday. Clayton entered the season with 1,187 digs and now ranks second all-time with 1,480 digs. She has reached double figures in digs 81 times in her career, including reaching the 20-dig plateau 12 times and 30 digs once. Junior middle blocker Shelby Burton currently leads the team and ranks 22nd nationally in service aces. She is also tops in Conference USA and 11th in the country with a .449 attack percentage. For her career, Burton holds a .355 attack percentage-second highest average in Memphis volleyball history. UAB enters this one-match weekend ranked third in the C-USA standings--just one spot in front of the Tigers. The Blazers have won 12 of the last 14 matches, including going on a 10-match win streak from Sept. 6-22. With wins over Memphis and Rice, UAB got off to a 2-0 start in league play. Its 10-match win streak and its flawless conference mark was snapped on Sunday when they were swept by Houston. The Blazers have dominated opponents offensively, holding a 931-732 advantage in the kills department. UAB is ranked first in C-USA with 159 service aces. They are second in the league--behind Memphis--in attack percentage, checking in at .258. They are also second in the conference, holding opponents to a .155 clip. Ivan Bozic is the featured hitter in the Blazer offense. The right side hitter leads the team in kills (298), service aces (35) and points (348), while ranking second with 177 digs. She ranks in the conference's top-5 in kills, aces and points. Fernanda Domingos is second on the team with 174 kills. She ranks 10th in the league with 26 service aces. Middle hitter Casey Dent leads the team in hitting percentage, hitting .348--good for fourth in C-USA. Setter Nevena Stefanova runs the offense and is third in the league with 756 assists. Defensively, Brianna Galvin has a team-best 244 digs, while Dent and Shaniquwa Cooper lead the blocking charge with 48 and 37 blocks, respectively. The Tigers have won 14 of the last 18 meetings against UAB dating back to the 1996 season. The two teams split last year's series, with Memphis sweeping the Blazers in the C-USA opener only to fall to UAB in five games in Birmingham just five days later. The Tigers look to split the season series for the second consecutive year after dropping a 3-2 match to the Blazers on Sept. 19. Memphis leads the all-time series 33-9.

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09/28/06		Women's Soccer to Host ECU in Conference Opener -- Memphis hopes to find a fresh start in C-USA play (GoTigersGo.com)
		MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis women's soccer team is set to open its Conference USA schedule Friday when it hosts East Carolina at 7 p.m. at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex for the first of a two match home stand. Memphis (4-4-1) is looking to find its scoring, which has been absent for several of its recent matches. After an opening weekend that saw the Lady Tigers get off to a 2-0 start and rack up 15 goals, the team has struggled to find its offensive footing. Memphis has gone 2-4-1 over its last seven matches with only four goals. Every time the Lady Tigers have scored a goal in 2006, they have won. Memphis is 4-0 in matches it has scored in and has shutout its opponent in each of those contests. Despite any struggles by the team thus far in the season, Memphis head coach Brooks Monaghan is confident in his squad's ability, and views C-USA play as a chance for new start. "We have as much talent as any team I have had since I've been at Memphis," Monaghan said. "It's been frustrating up to this point because things haven't clicked the way they could have, but I think that this match can be a galvanizing point for our team. It's a chance for us to start fresh, relax and just play our game." East Carolina comes into Friday's match after tying Francis Marion 0-0 on Sunday. The Pirates are lead offensively by forward Amy Szilard and goalkeeper Amber Campbell has 13 saves in ECU's last two matches. "This is a smart team," said Monaghan. "They play smart soccer, and they are not going to beat themselves. If we relax and play our game then I think we can be successful." Memphis will play the second match of its weekend home stand Sunday when it hosts Marshall at 1 p.m.

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09/28/06		'I wish they had given out rings from that game' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 28, 2006 Tony Williams is facing an uncertain future in football. The 10th-year NFL veteran has just undergone surgery to repair a ruptured biceps suffered in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Now on injured reserve with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Williams is facing his second straight year on the sidelines after missing the 2005 season with a broken ankle. "I'm trying to get back," Williams said on the phone recently. "I'm trying to stick around as long as I can." It will be a few weeks yet before Williams, a 6-2, 296-pound defensive tackle who spent four years with the Minnesota Vikings and five with the Cleveland Browns, will be able to start lifting weights again. But for about half an hour one recent afternoon, the Germantown native joyfully relived what he still considers "the highlight of my football career." He's talking, of course, about the University of Memphis' momentous 21-17 win over Tennessee in 1996. "I've never played in a Super Bowl. That was a Super Bowl for me," Williams said. "I wish they had given out rings from that game." That Williams actually committed to Tennessee before changing his mind and signing with the UofM only added to his satisfaction that day and in the years since. "I was one of those guys who had Johnny Majors come to his house," Williams said, in reference to the former Tennessee coach. "That made it kind of a bigger deal for me personally. It was one of my sweetest moments there." Williams said he was swayed by friends, family and former Tiger coach Chuck Stobart into staying closer to home for college. The atmosphere inside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium that November day confirmed he had made the right decision. "It was a magical day for all of us. You could feel the buzz in the air when we ran onto the field," Williams said. "That day was the highlight of my football career. It's something I'll never forget. I don't know if I've ever won a bigger game." Williams made a massive contribution to the Tigers' cause, racking up 13 tackles, including six for loss, and a sack. With 10 years of hindsight, Williams said the Tigers' feat in stopping Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning seems even greater. "Peyton Manning, who knew he was gonna be as great as he is now?" Williams said. "Who knew I was gonna sack the next Johnny Unitas? He's that big now." Williams credited then U of defensive coordinator Jim Pletcher for devising a game plan that left Manning flustered. "We ran a lot of three-man fronts, and Peyton had a problem with it," Williams said of a Tiger defense that made 16 tackles for loss and intercepted Manning twice. "And that game made (head coach) Rip (Scherer). That was probably his biggest win. Rip was on his 'A' game that day." As memorable as the win remains for Williams, it made a 4-7 season even more painful. "The guys fought and battled that day. If we could have played at that level each week, we probably would have played in a bowl game," Williams said. Williams, 31, has attended several Tiger games over the years, and he said he plans to fly in from Jacksonville for Saturday's 10-year reunion. He also has some advice for the Tigers' current coach. "If Tommy West was smart," Williams said, "he'd show a tape of that game to his players." -------------------- Tony Williams Then: Made 13 tackles, including a remarkable six tackles for loss, and one sack to lead the Tigers' defensive charge. Now: Williams is spending a second straight season on the Jacksonville Jaguars' injured reserve list after suffering a ruptured biceps. Over a 10-year NFL career, the Germantown native has also played for the VIkings and Bengals.

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09/28/06		'The smallest guy we had' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 28, 2006 Fourth-and-one. It was a down-and-distance reserved for a bruising fullback. Or a 200-pound tailback. But Andre Woods? Woods was an undersized, 160-pound junior running back playing in what would be the next-to-last college football game of his career. With the benefit of such hindsight, one could say Woods saved his best for next-to-last. Trailing 17-14 in the closing minutes to sixth-ranked Tennessee, Memphis gave the ball to Woods on fourth-and-1 from the Memphis 40. ''You think about a big guy getting the ball in that situation,'' Woods said. ''But it was just the opposite. I was the smallest guy we had.'' The former Melrose High player, disregarding his size disadvantage, stuck his nose into the middle of the line and picked up the first down to extend what would become one of the most memorable scoring drives in the program's history. ''It was straight up the middle, in the 'B' gap,'' he said. ''To me, it was what I was supposed to do. I'd always get three or four yards in practice on the same play. ''I would usually come into games in the second quarter once we got a read of a defense. I was a change-of-pace because I was a fast guy.'' After gaining the first down, Woods was called on again following an incomplete pass. This time he darted for 11 yards and across midfield. ''For me, it was a big opportunity,'' he said. ''I played a lot in the game, but not a lot in my overall career.'' Behind Woods' late fourth-quarter runs, the Tigers were able to drive 69 yards for the touchdown in the 1996 game that clinched a 21-17 win over the Vols, the UofM's first in the series' history. ''To be honest, the whole time we were going through that drive I remember saying, 'Let's do it like we do in practice,''' Woods said. ''In practice, things go perfect. In games you have variables. That's what was going through my head.'' Woods, who finished with 31 yards on nine carries in the game, played only once more ... the 1996 finale against East Carolina. In the ECU game, he dislocated and cracked his toe. ''I had to have surgery and I never played again,'' Woods said. ''Tennessee was my last full game.'' He rehabbed but suffered more injuries before the start of the 1997 season. A hip injury a week before the opener against Mississippi State sidelined him for the year, effectively ending his career. Woods, a loan officer at American Mortgage in Memphis, said the injuries proved to be a blessing, forcing him to focus on life after football sooner than most. Before joining American Mortgage six years ago, he was a Memphis police officer. -- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543

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09/28/06		'It's hard to believe it's been 10 years' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 28, 2006 It's 103 degrees in Palm Springs, Calif., on a recent weekday afternoon, but Marquis Bowling isn't complaining. "It's very hot, but there's no humidity," he says. "We get 20 percent humidity, and people think it's awful." Bowling chuckles. Ten years ago, the former University of Memphis defensive end was applying plenty of heat to frazzled Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning. Bowling's sack early on in the 1996 game between the Vols and Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium set the defensive tone, then UofM assistant Wayne Weedon later said, in a stunning 21-17 win. "Our coaches put their heads together and put together a pretty good defensive package," said Bowling, who dropped Manning for an 11-yard loss. "I think that was the first time they saw a 3-4 (defense). We had the athletes to make it work." Bowling, who prepped at East High, played for the Tigers from 1995-98, earning first-team All Conference USA honors as a senior. He went on to play in arenafootball2 for the Xplorers before taking a job in sales for FedEx and moving to California. He's relishing the prospect of making the trip home for Saturday's game. "It's hard to believe it's been 10 years. It's so vivid in my mind," said Bowling, who can still see teammate Jeremy Stewart performing snow angels afterward on the field -- despite the lack of snow. "Fans were coming up and saying, I've waited my whole life just to see this." Bowling, however, has still never seen a tape of the game. He thinks a family member has two tapes -- one with the first half, another with the second half -- tucked away someplace. He isn't sure quite where. The same goes for a picture of Bowling sacking Manning. "I was telling somebody about that picture not long ago," Bowling said. "He asked me, 'Can you see his name?' I said, 'You can only see his number. You know, because I'm on top of him.'"

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09/28/06		'A special night with some special kids' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 28, 2006 His players at Pine Crest High in Fort Lauderdale stroll into Jim Pletcher's office on occasion and immediately are drawn to the famed, matted reproduction of a newspaper Sports section's front page from November 1996. Pletcher, in his second season as Pine Crest's head coach, says the players all have the same reaction. They glance closely at the photo and ask: 'Hey, isn't that Peyton Manning?' Yes, it is, Pletcher tells them, before informing them it was a picture taken during a University of Memphis victory over Tennessee in 1996. Pletcher, 56, was the UofM's defensive coordinator 10 years ago, presiding over a unit that confounded Manning in the 21-17 upset. ''That was definitely one of those 'highlights' from my coaching career,'' said Pletcher, whose lengthy career also included stops at James Madison, Cornell and William & Mary. ''That was a special night with some special kids.' ''What I remember about that game is (the Vols) tried to stuff it down our throats (running the ball), and they couldn't.'' The key to stopping the Vols was a switch in defensive schemes. The Tigers, who had played a 4-3 defense, used three down lineman and six defensive backs. While fondly recalling the impressive effort by the Tiger defense, Pletcher said the unit momentarily suffered a concentration lapse in the jubilation following the UofM's go-ahead TD with 34 seconds left. Pletcher said on Tennessee's ensuing series, the Tigers sent only 10 defenders onto the field against Manning. ''We called for a dime (six defensive backs), and one didn't go,'' Pletcher said. ''Everyone was running around crazy on the sidelines.'' Asked if the upset win changed the community's reaction toward the staff, Pletcher tells a story he recounts at speaking engagements. ''With all the hoopla and the tearing down of the goal posts after the game, I remember going to a convenience store the next morning, a store I stopped at every day before coming in to the office,'' Pletcher said. ''I came in, and the old guy who was always there was behind the counter. So I'm getting back slaps from everyone, and I go to put coffee down on the counter. The old guy says, 'That'll be a buck and a quarter.' Same as it was the day before.''

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09/28/06		'Peyton didn't see me' (Commercial Appeal)
		By Jim Masilak Contact September 28, 2006 Duron Sutton remembers being angry. A defensive back on the 1996 University of Memphis team that upset sixth-ranked Tennessee, Sutton said the seeds for that memorable victory were sewn in the minutes before game time at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. "I thought it was very disrespectful when their team ran through our drills during pregame warmups," Sutton said. "They just ran right through us like they owned the place, and we weren't there. "I thought that was real disrespectful. But we had the last laugh." Did they ever. After years of suffering at the hands of their ruthless in-state rivals -- the Vols won the first 15 games in the series 1968-94 -- the Tigers emerged with a 21-17 victory. "I guess the 16th time was the charm," Sutton said. A senior in '96, Sutton made one of the more memorable contributions to the Tigers' victory. His third-quarter interception of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, just moments after a Tiger turnover, ended a prime scoring opportunity for the Vols. "We were playing cat and mouse," Sutton said, "and Peyton didn't see me in the back of the end zone." Because the Tigers were already destined to finish with a losing record -- they went 4-7 that year -- Sutton said they treated Nov. 9 as if it were New Year's Day. "By then we knew we weren't going to a bowl game. It felt special, like we'd been to a bowl game," he said. And afterward? "I just know it was pandemonium. We just had a good time enjoying the fans having a good time," Sutton said. "It meant a lot not only to us, but to the university and the city. "It's something (me and my teammates) will always be bonded by." Now in his seventh year as head football coach at Kingsbury High, Sutton sometimes uses that win as a motivating tool for his Falcons. "Being at Kingsbury, I play a lot of games I'm not supposed to win," he said. "I schedule teams to make my team better so we can get where we want to be." Looking back, Sutton understands why the Vols treated the Tigers with such apparent disdain. "Back then it was understood they were supposed to come in and beat us," Sutton said. "I'm sure they won't come in here (Saturday) with the same attitude they used to." -- Jim Masilak: 529-2311

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09/28/06		Tigers-Vols Notebook (Commercial Appeal)
		By Phil Stukenborg Contact September 28, 2006 Tiger defense is back to full strength University of Memphis defensive players Corey Mills, Chris Huffman, Brandon Patterson and Wesley Smith are expected to play in Saturday's game against Tennessee after being limited last week because of various injuries. Mills (shoulder), Patterson (shoulder) and Smith (groin) -- starters in each of the team's first three games -- have practiced all week. Tigers coach Tommy West expressed concern about their availability earlier in the week at his Monday media luncheon. ''I think they are all going to make it, as long as we don't have any setbacks between now and Saturday,'' West said. ''We should have 'em.'' More work for Reagan West said Wednesday that kicker Matt Reagan, a freshman from Knoxville, will have additional responsibilities Saturday. Reagan, a former Bearden High player, will handle kickoffs in addition to his placekicking duties. Reagan added the extra role because senior Patrick Byrne is limited with a groin injury. Byrne's status as the No. 2 quarterback will not be affected. ''Pat's OK, he'll be our backup quarterback,'' West said. ''He just has trouble following through (on kickoffs).'' Reagan moved into the starting placekicking role at East Carolina two weeks ago, taking over for Trey Adams. Adams, a sophomore walk-on from Evangelical Christian, left the team after the East Carolina game. No coach-speak here West said he could resort to coaching cliches and talk about how Saturday's game against No. 15 Tennessee should be treated like any other game on the Tigers' schedule. But West has never been one to follow convention. ''It's not the same,'' West said. ''The Highland Hundred (booster club) meeting (Tuesday) night was different. Everybody was a little more excited. There was a big crowd there, full of life. ''This is really a fun week for us. This is our chance to compete against the big dog. This is our chance to compete against a top 15 team. I'm treating it like it's fun, and it should be fun. We're going to go try to play ball like the way we know how to play ball and see how we can compete.'' Four of the past five meetings between Memphis and Tennessee -- dating to the Tigers' 1996 win -- have been decided by four points or fewer. Media requests overflowing UofM sports information director Jennifer Rodrigues said Wednesday credential requests for the game have surpassed the capacity of the press box. She said she filled the 60 available seats in the press box and has issued an additional 35 tickets to media/scouts to sit in the stands. She also issued 70 photo credentials. She said the demand is similar to last year's season-opener at home against Ole Miss, when about 20 NFL scouts had to be issued tickets in the stands. Ailing Arian Tennessee tailback Arian Foster said his left ankle still isn't 100 percent healthy. "It's close, it's getting there but it's obviously not 100 percent," the sophomore said Wednesday. Foster injured his left ankle against Air Force and has carried the ball just twice since -- both against Florida. Foster's status for Saturday's game at Memphis is uncertain, but he said he would likely play only in an emergency. "I'm not sure what the coach's idea is, but that's my idea," he said. "We've got two pretty healthy backs and I'm getting healthy. We'll just have to see." Redshirt freshman LaMarcus Coker will start Saturday, UT's third starting tailback this season. Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Dave Hooker contributed.

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09/28/06		In the News: Graduation rate mixed for Tigers (Commercial Appeal)
		The University of Memphis men's basketball graduation rate rose from 25 percent a year ago to 36 percent, according to statistics released Wednesday by the NCAA, while the Tiger football rate dropped from 61 to 59 percent. The graduation success rate was based on incoming freshmen from 1996 to 1999 graduating within six years and is compiled using the NCAA's new formula for a second straight year. Unlike federal rates, the GSR includes students who transfer to other colleges. The overall rate for 1-A was 77 percent. The GSR for Tennessee football was 58 percent, compared to 49 percent last year. Other area Southeastern Conference schools (Ole Miss, 58 percent; Mississippi State, 57; Arkansas 55) posted similar numbers. The average rate for football in 1-A is 66 percent.

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09/28/06		UT won't extend Memphis series (Nashville Tennessean)
		By CHRIS LOW Staff writer KNOXVILLE — Tennessee Athletics Director Mike Hamilton doesn't foresee continuing the Memphis football series on a regular basis. Following Saturday's game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, there are three games remaining under the current contract. Tennessee will play at Memphis in 2009. Memphis will come to Knoxville in 2010, and there's one more game beyond that yet to be scheduled that will be played in Memphis. "I think playing them periodically is not a bad thing for the University of Tennessee, maybe a couple of times over a 10- or 15-year period," Hamilton said. "But I don't see us signing another 10-game deal with them over a 20-year period." Hamilton said publicly a few years ago that he was inclined not to play Memphis at all in football if the Tigers weren't going to play the Vols in basketball. "They wanted to discontinue playing us in basketball," Hamilton said. But Joe Johnson, the interim UT president at that time, and Memphis President Shirley Raines got involved and felt it was important institutionally to finish out the football contract. Hamilton said their other directive was to find a way to play basketball. Thus, a separate eight-game basketball deal was signed. The first game was played last year in Memphis and the second one will be played this Dec. 6 in Knoxville.

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09/28/06		Plan ahead for game parking (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Rachel Crosby Staff Reporter The University of Memphis Tigers' game with the University of Tennessee Volunteers this Saturday is causing a stir with city traffic officials, especially since it is also the end of the Mid-South Fair. The Memphis Police Department, The City of Memphis Parks Division and the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) are warning the public "to plan ahead to avoid parking and traffic congestion in the area of the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and the Fairgrounds this weekend." Some students are planning to camp out and tailgate Friday night. "We'll be tailgating in Tobey field off of Central and Hollywood," said Josh Crawford, freshman sports management major. "It's going to be fun." Vince Higgins of the MPD said that beginning Friday there will be heightened patrol in the area of the Liberty Bowl and Fairgrounds. "We will have 40 plus special defense and reserve officers in the (Liberty Bowl) area and traffic detail in place," Higgins said. "The Tillman, Union and Airways Stations will be doing routine patrol as well." In an effort to prevent problems, the MPD warns motorists to avoid the East Parkway (Airways) Bridge because it is still under construction and there will be "major traffic delays." The suggested route from south Memphis areas is I-240 north to Lamar going east to Central Avenue to the Fairgrounds and the Liberty Bowl. According to MATA, six shuttles will be transporting fans for $7 round trip from the following locations: Germantown Village Square on Poplar, Eastgate Shopping Center, Halle Stadium, Raleigh Springs Mall, Highway 64 in Bartlett (behind Colton's Steakhouse) and Collierville on Market Street (next to Perkin's Restaurant). Every shuttle will be leaving for the stadium at 9:15 a.m. "We urge people to utilize the shuttles and to carpool," Higgins said. MPD and Park Services suggest arriving at least two hours early in order to park in one of the three lots on Early Maxwell. They also suggest arriving one hour early to park in the School Board and Tobey Park area. Parking in the lots will cost $7. Residential areas and public streets are also fair game for parking, but MPD officers will be patrolling and enforcing no parking zones. "Motorists cannot block sidewalks and cannot obstruct traffic lanes or driveways," Higgins said. "No parking zones will be enforced stringently." Many residents in the Liberty Bowl area make a profit by letting people park on their property. The price of parking on residential property is not and cannot be controlled, according to Higgins. "That is a civil agreement between two civilians," he said. "There is no way to enforce it." Higgins also said that vehicles blocking or obstructing driveways will be towed by the resident of the property. Students like Kyle Sheets, freshman undecided major, are not worried about the parking and traffic issues that thousands of others will have Saturday morning. "We're going (to Tobey field) Friday morning and will probably pull an all nighter," Sheets said.

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09/28/06		Lady Tiger tennis team bounces back (Daily Helmsman)
		By: Shari Lofton Staff Reporter After losing all of their opening matches at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Invitational, the Lady Tigers tennis team bounced back to win four out of the six remaining matches on Friday. "Our first matches were against a team that has been nationally ranked," said coach Charlotte Peterson. "We played well but we just aren't at that level yet." Led by the performances of freshmen Marjorie Ondeck and Dara Toulch, the Lady Tigers defeated Central Arkansas 4-2 after dropping all six earlier matches to the University of South Alabama on Friday. Other Tigers collecting wins on Friday were sophomores Ekin Zafir and Flavia Russo. Later, Ondeck and lone senior Alex Tjioe went on to defeat Bogusia Patzer and Catalina Villegas of Northwestern State in doubles competition. Further action on Friday was pushed to Saturday due to bad weather. "The bad weather did not affect us," Peterson said. "We played in-doors, but they did have to go outside sometimes. Despite this, the girls adjusted and focused on playing." On Saturday, the Tigers recovered from their lackluster opening with a strong performance. Freshmen Ondeck, Toulch and Amanda Brown each recorded victories and Alex Tjioe won her match in straight sets. "We have some depth to the line up and that's always fun to have," Tjioe said. "But I have been working a lot on consistency as have the other players and working on new tactics." Zafir and Toulch recorded the only Tiger doubles win for the day over Natascha Jongeneel and Petra Gudelj of McNeese State. The Tigers finished the day 1-3 in doubles. "Our doubles game is coming along and it's improving," Peterson said. Peterson also said that she and new assistant coach Lee Taylor had been working with the team on mental aspects to the game as well. "Before the season, we worked more on strategy," Peterson said. "We brought in Lee and he has great knowledge with strategy. We've been trying to get them to think more and to try to plan their points." The final day of the tournament saw the Tigers only win one match. Picking up the only Memphis victory was Ondeck who finished the weekend with a 3-1 singles record. Overall, the Tigers finished the weekend with a 9-15 record in singles and a 2-4 record in doubles. "I think we can improve on doubles both in strategy and by putting pressures on our opponents," Tjioe said. "It will be tough, but that's why we're here." However, Peterson was impressed with her team's doubles performance and poise. "On doubles, we had to adjust and we did," she said. "Our players are getting used to a new format so I think they did well with that." As for the freshmen, Peterson was happy with the way they performed. "Experience does make a difference, but they all have to contribute," she said. "The freshmen have had time to adjust to college and the team. They are working very hard and they are very coachable." The Lady Tigers will be back on the courts on Oct. 7 in Colorado Springs to participate in the U.S. Air Force Invitational. Peterson saw a few areas of improvement from the last tournament but she is not too concerned about her team's morale. "The area we had the most errors was our transition form the base