Category: Sports

WEST POINT — Free safety Idrees Bashir ran an interception back a school-record 100 yards propelling the University of Memphis to their third consecutive victory, 26-16 at Army. It was the first Conference USA game for Memphis but the win came at a high price.

Jared Pigue, the Tigers’ deep snapper injured his knee on a third- quarter punt. The injury, which happened when one of Pigue’s teammates ran into him, is thought to be a season-ender for the true freshman from Nashville. On a day where Memphis special team mistakes led directly to all 16 Army points, it is easy to see just how devastating the loss of this non-scholarship freshman may be.

Army ran back a punt for one touchdown, returned a fumbled kickoff for another, and scored a safety after Pigue’s replacement snapped the ball over Ben Graves’ head late in the game. Memphis special teams also allowed a blocked punt and had a high snap, blowing a point-after-touchdown attempt.

For the second time in four games the Memphis defense pitched a shutout, but the goose egg didn’t go on the scoreboard.

Tailback Sugar Sanders also left the game early, pulling up with the same hobbled ankle that has plagued him all season. Sanders had a career-best 62-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter. But after running 31 times against Arkansas State, the sophomore could only rush seven times before the ankle wore out.

On a positive note, reserve quarterback Neil Suber was solid in his first start of the year (20-31-1, 187 yards, 1 TD). And freshman running back Jeremiah Bonds, getting a chance to play because of injuries to Sanders and Dernice Wherry, showed a glimpse of his big-play potential with a 31-yard touchdown run after catching a short pass from Suber. The catch and run broke a 14-14 deadlock midway through the fourth quarter.

Army drove for what could have been the go-ahead touchdown after the bad snap on the conversion left the score at 20-14. But Bashir intercepted a Curtis Zervic pass in the Memphis endzone with 3:49 remaining. He streaked down the sideline in front of the Army bench and broke a record that had stood at the U of M since 1958.

After Memphis failed on its two-point try, Army scored a safety with 2:08 to go to finish the scoring at 26-16.

The Memphis defense yielded 269 passing yards to the Black Knights, but never allowed them to score. Most of the yardage came, as Arkansas State’s 222 passing yards the week before had, on short and intermediate passes. At one point in the second quarter Zervic completed 9 passes in a row.

But the Tiger defense made big plays again and again. Besides Bashir’s interception, Michael Stone and Glenn Sumter both picked-off Zervic. For Sumter it was his third interception in four games. The sophomore strong safety entered the game ranked 12th in the nation in interceptions. The Tiger defense also had a fumble recovery by nose tackle Marcus Bell.

Memphis takes its three-game winning streak (and five-game road winning streak) to Hattiesburg next Saturday to take on nationally-ranked Southern Miss. The game will be televised as part of the C-USA television package.

GAME NOTES: The previous Memphis record for longest interception return was held by Robert Lyles who ran one back 99 yards against Mississippi State in 1958. . . . The Tiger defense continued to demonstrate its depth. Linebackers Coot Terry and DeMorrio Shank both missed the game with injuries, but freshman Derrick Ballard and redshirt-freshman Greg Harper played well in their place. Also redshirt-freshman Jason Brown continued to start in place of cornerback Marcus Smith. Smith is still hobbled by an ankle injury, but played against Army. . . . Sanders limped off with 13:02 left in the second quarter. He led Memphis with 73 rushing yards. Darche Epting had 66 on 19 carries. . . . Bunkie Perkins had his best day as a Tiger with four catches for 37 yards. Al Sermon led Memphis receivers with 44 yards on four catches. . . . Memphis lost the possession time battle for the first time this year. Army had the ball for 30:41; Memphis 29:19. . . . Wade Smith fumbled a short kickoff to start the second half and Army ran it back to tie the game at 14 just 11 seconds into the half. . . . Several influential U of M boosters attended the game, including former Shelby County Mayor Bill Morris.

(You can write Dennis Freeland at freeland@memphisflyer.com).

NEW YORK — Will Rip Scherer have the last laugh? Will the fans forgive the University of Memphis offensive woes if the Tigers can win seven games and go to a bowl game? Those are the story lines, going into the fourth game of the season.

“Winning ugly” is what fans are calling the Tigers’ modest two-game winning streak. It is not meant as as a compliment.

Heading into Saturday’s Conference-USA opener at Army, Memphis (2-1) has scored only five touchdowns and four came against a horrible Louisiana-Monroe team. Lack of imagination in the play calling is particularly troublesome to Tiger fans.

But Scherer insists he is only interested in winning and doesn’t mind ‘winning ugly.’ He feels the best chance he has is to play a conservative, ground-oriented offense to enhance his team’s obvious strengths — defense and kicking. Memphis has the seventh-best defense in the nation. Ben Graves has punted the ball extremely well. And Playboy all-American Ryan White is a threat anytime Memphis gets inside the opponent’s 35.

The question for some fans is why, after five complete seasons under Scherer, does Memphis not have a more productive offense? Why are the Tigers forced to play games like last week’s 19-17 come-from-behind victory over Arkansas State? Why does Memphis rank 106 out of 115 Division I teams in total offense?

Lost in the unhappiness about the offense is the fact that Memphis is 2-1 for the first time since 1984. The fans might grumble about how they are doing it, but a win over Army Saturday will put Memphis exactly where it wants to be — on track for a seven-win season and a bowl invitation.

And that will give Scherer a chance to have the last laugh.

GAME NOTES

** After ending a streak that saw the Tigers go from 1996 to 1999 without a road win, Memphis has now won four straight on the road dating back to October of last year. They go for five in a row this Saturday at Army.

** Quarterback Neil Suber is scheduled to start for the first time in 2000. He replaces Travis Anglin who is out with a sprained ankle.

** INJURY REPORT: Redshirt freshman linebacker Coot Terry sprained his knee this week in practice. He is doubtful. . . . . Senior starting linebacker Demorrio Shank (foot) is probable after missing the first three games. . . .Running back Dernice Wherry (shoulder) is doubtful. . . . Starting cornerback Marcus Smith, who missed the last two games, is probable. . . . Starting guard Josh Eargle (ACL) is out for the season. His replacement Trey Erye suffered a hyperextended elbow against ASU and is questionable.

You can write Dennis Freeland at: freeland@memphisflyer.com

The cast announcing the name of the latest Memphis pro sports franchise was a familiar one. Gene Bartow, Larry Finch, and Jack Eaton– the coach, star player, and radio announcer for the 1973 Memphis State team– were all at the head table when the new ABA 2000 team, the Houn’Dawgs, unveiled its name and logo at a noon press luncheon Wednesday. It was the second pro sports announcement of the week. Earlier the Memphis franchise of the XFL announced they were hiring former Tiger quarterback Kippy Brown as the head coach of the Maniax.

“We felt it was very important to establish an identity with the Mid-South and also capture the history of the ABA red, white, and blue basketball on its finger,” team president Bartow said. The team mascot will be called “king” and the franchise colors will be red, white, and blue.

Finch is in charge of player personnel and Eaton is the team’s radio coordinator. No contracts have been signed yet, but WHBQ-AM is in negotiations with the team for a radio deal. Jeff Weinberger and Eaton are set to do the broadcasts.

Bartow said a coach will be named soon, maybe by next week. The team schedule is expected to be released by October 1st. The Houn’Dawgs will play 60 games — 30 on their home floor in the new Desoto Civic Center in Southaven. The season is expected to begin in late December.

Other cities in the new league are Anaheim, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Long Island, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, and Tampa Bay.

(You can write Dennis Freeland at freeland@memphisflyer.com)

Memphis’ XFL team, the Maniax, today announced its new head coach — Kippy Brown, former University of Memphis quarterback (1975-1977).

Memphians may remember Brown’s role in the Tigers’ victory at 6th ranked Auburn in 1975. After graduation, Brown coached running backs and receivers at his alma mater until 1980. He then coached for Louisville (1982), the University of Tennessee (1983-89, 1993-94), and joined the NFL as an assistant coach for the Jets (1990-92), Buccaneers (1995), Dolphins (1996-1999), and Green Bay Packers (2000).

According to Maniax general manager Steve Ehrhart, one of the best recommendations came from NFL future hall-of-famer Dan Marino, who was under Brown’s direction as Miami’s offensive coordinator from 1998-1999. In fact, sources close to the situation say Brown served as the go-between in the quarterback’s stormy relationship with former Dolphin coach Jimmy Johnson.

“It is unbelievable to see my career come full-circle — from when I was a player in Memphis 28 years ago, now having the honor of being the head coach of the Memphis team in this exciting new league with such a great future,” Brown said.

Since Memphis has territorial rights to the University of Memphis and Tennessee programs, Brown’s ties to both were seen as particularly important. Brown will officially join the team as soon as his current commitment to the Green Bay Packers, where he is the running backs coach, is complete.

(You can write Chris at chris@memphisflyer.com)

JONESBORO, AR — In the end Memphis ran the ball. … And ran the ball. … And ran the ball. Of the 13 plays in the 58-yard drive that culminated in Ryan White’s winning 35-yard field goal, 12 were running plays with either Sugar Sanders or Darche Epting carrying the ball. The drive began at the Memphis 24 with 6:35 left in the game and Arkansas State leading 17-16. When White’s kick split the uprights only 49 seconds remained.

The final quarter of the game began with Memphis leading 16-3, but Cleo Lemon, Arkansas State’s nifty senior quarterback, led his team on two long touchdown drives to give the Indians the lead and set up the late game heroics of the Tiger offensive line and backs. Head coach Rip Scherer had maintained all year that the Memphis offense was going to be a good rushing team. On that final drive, they may have proven it.

Lemon tried to rally his team for a game-winning score but came about three feet short. Lemon completed two passes for 30 yards to his favorite receiver, Robert Killow, to move the ball to the Memphis 35. But Nick Gatto’s 52-yard field goal attempt was about three feet short.

It was hard not to think that Scherer’s career at Memphis hung in the balance as Gatto’s kick soared toward the goal post. When it fell harmlessly to the ground, Scherer and his beleaguered offense had a new lease on life.

“In the past five years we’ve always found a way for these type games to get away from us. You play your heart out and you let it get away,” a jubilant Scherer said after the game. “I’m proud of Ryan White. But more importantly, I’m proud of our offense. When we had to have a drive, had to get field position, had to grind it out, we did it. They knew what we were doing. They had nine or ten in the box. We were running hard. Running for first downs. This kind of game is a character builder. It might not have been pretty, but winning like that late in the game can really help our season.”

Memphis rushed the ball for 147 yards and didn’t turn the ball over for the first time this season. Sanders rushed for 96 net yards and Billy Kendall caught four passes for 40 yards. Kendall’s first catch of the day was the biggest, a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The touchdown followed a Glenn Sumpter interception of a Lemon pass. Sumpter returned the ball 32 yards to the ASU 17, setting up the touchdown. After that Memphis could only manage four field goals from White, the Playboy all-American. White’s field goals were from 19, 26, 42, and 35.

The Arkansas State offense got untracked in the second half — with 81 and 67 yard touchdown drives. The Indians gained 324 yards on the nation’s second-ranked defense. It was the first time Memphis had allowed more than 100 yards rushing or 200 yards passing this season.

Memphis now prepares for its first conference game Saturday at West Point. It will be the Tigers first trip to Army since 1985.

GAME NOTES

This is the first time Memphis has started a year 2-1 since 1984.

Quarterback Travis Anglin suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter and was replaced by Neil Suber. Anglin will likely miss at least two weeks with the injury. Guard Trey Erye, playing in place of Josh Eargle, suffered a hyperextended elbow in the game. His status will be determined later in the week. Linebacker DeMorrio Shank, tailback Dernice Wherry, and cornerback Marcus Smith all sat out the game with injuries.

With the touchdown catch, Billy Kendall extended to 19 a streak of games in which the senior tight end has caught at least one pass. The streak started when Kendall was a sophomore.

Al Sermon saw his first action of the season with five catches for 38 yards. Six different Tiger receivers caught passes.

For the second consecutive week a Memphis opponent had zero punt return yardage. Ben Graves averaged 40 yards on 5 punts.

The linebackers led Memphis in tackles. Kamal Shakir had 9 and Coot Terry and Greg Harper had 8. Terry also had a sack.

(You can write Dennis Freeland at freeland@memphisflyer.com)

The University of Memphis defense pitched its first shutout since 1994 and the Tigers rushed for 180 yards as they beat Louisiana-Monroe 28-0 Saturday night at the Liberty Bowl in front of 20,801. Despite a number of offensive miscues, the Tigers managed to get into the end zone four times, all on rushing plays — two by quarterback Travis Anglin and two by running back Darche Epting.

The Memphis defense, ranked fourth in the nation coming into the game, thoroughly manhandled the over-matched Indians. ULM only gained176 total yards and 10 first downs in the game. Much of the yardage came late in the fourth quarter when Memphis was playing its second and third defensive units.

Head coach Rip Scherer said he was happy to get the first win of 2000, evening the Memphis record at 1-1, but the offensive problems obviously have him worried. “We shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers. The game should have been out of reach by halftime,” Scherer said. “We just have to do a better job of coaching.”

The Tigers did manage to rush for 180 yards, but the passing game was still weak. Anglin was 11-22 for 80 yards. “We’ve got to get some things fixed offensively,” Scherer continued. “Nobody’s making excuses. No one is lashing out. The fact is we’ve got to get better on offense.”

The win over ULM came at a price. First-string tailback Sugar Sanders reinjured the ankle that had kept him out of the opener. His backup Dernice Wherry, who rushed for a career best 75 yards, left the game after a lineman fell on him injuring his shoulder. Starting corner back Marcus Smith injured an ankle on the opening kickoff and went directly to the locker room. Redshirt freshman Jason Brown played well in Smith’s place. Starting guard Josh Eargle injured a knee and is out indefinitely.

Next on the Memphis schedule is Arkansas State (0-2). The game is set in Jonesboro for the first time since 1956. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

GAME NOTES

Memphis special teams player Quincy Stevenson blocked a kick inside the ULM 10 yard line. “He has a heart as big as this stadium,” said Memphis coach Rip Scherer of the 5-6 walk-on from East High School. “You just love guys like him. He’s not even on scholarship.”

Senior Billy Kendall, the Tigers’ all-time leading tight end, extended his streak of catching at least one pass to18 games. Kendall started the streak when he was a sophomore.

Ryan White had two field goal attempts blocked. Scherer attributed the blocks to taking too long to get the ball snapped and kicked. “We’ve got to improved our snap-to-kick time,” Scherer said. White is working with a new snapper and holder this year.

Memphis ran a successful onsides kick with free safety Idrees Bashir running under the kick and catching the ball in the air. Bashir was busy. Besides playing defense and special teams, he lined up at receiver for the first time in his college career. He had a pass thrown his way, but it was under thrown.

Defensive coordinator Tommy West got one of the game balls. “I think he has done a great job of taking our defense to another level,” Scherer said. “He’s got them playing hard.”

(You can e-mail Dennis Freeland at freeland@memphisflyer.com)

The University of Memphis Tigers attempt to gain their first win of the 2000 season tonight against Louisiana-Monroe. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. A crowd of 20,000 or less is expected to attend the game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis is a 17-point favorite.

Besides getting their first win, the Tigers will attempt to put the brakes on a week of criticism for their anemic offensive showing in the opener, a 17-3 loss to Mississippi State. In that game, Memphis managed only 168 yards while turning the ball over five times.

Tonight’s opponent, UL-Monroe, is also 0-1, losing its first game to Minnesota , 47-10. The two teams have met only once in the past, with Monroe (then known as Northeast Louisiana) winning at Memphis in 1979. The Indians’ head coach, Bobby Keasler, was highly successful in nine seasons at McNeese State. He was 78-34-2 and was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year five times. He returned to his alma mater last season and led the team to a 5-6 mark.

But the real opponent for Memphis tonight will be themselves. Can the offense move the ball while cutting down on the number of turnovers? Can the defense, ranked fourth nationally after holding Mississippi State to a mere 127 yards, continue their excellent play. To silence the critics, the Tigers need to win by more than what the Las Vegas handicappers think.

GAME NOTES

Defensive end Andre Arnold had three quarterback sacks against Mississippi State, a career best for the junior from Columbus, Georgia.

Six Tiger players made their first career starts against Mississippi State. Josh Eargle and Jimmond Pugh stared in the offensive line. Tripp Higgins and Dernice Wherry started at wide receiver and tailback respectively. And Greg Harper and Derrick Ballard started at linebacker. Ballard, and deep snapper Gared Pigue were the only true freshmen to start.

Junior place kicker Ryan White, a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award his first two years, was selected to the Playboy 2000 All-American team. White has made 29 of 35 field goal attempts in his career and has kicked 47 out of 47 points after touchdown. His longest field goal is 52 yards.

Senior tight end Billy Kendall has caught at least one pass in 17 consecutive games, going back to his sophomore season. He caught a career high 6 vs. Arkansas State last season. Kendall is the all-time reception leader for tight ends at Memphis.

When Memphis travels to Jonesboro next week, it will be the Tigers’ first road game at Arkansas State since 1956. Memphis won that game 34-0, but the Indians hold a 9-6 advantage over the Tigers in Jonesboro.

Freshman deep snapper Gared Pigue, from Nashville Goodpasture Academy, was the starting deep snapper in game one. He recovered a fumbled punt.

(You can e-mail Dennis Freeland at freeland@memphisflyer.com)

It was deja vu Saturday for the University of Memphis in front of 34,113 at the Liberty Bowl. For the sixth time under head coach Rip Scherer, the Tigers lost its season opener. For the sixth time a Scherer-coached Memphis team lost to Jackie Sherrill’s Mississippi State Bulldogs. And for the second straight year, Memphis failed to score a touchdown in the season opener. Mississippi State scored 10 first half points and added a late touchdown to win the season opener for both teams 17-3.

The first half went pretty much as expected, with neither team able to muster any offense. Two interceptions by Mississippi State led to both of the Bulldogs’ scores — a 43-yard Scott Westerfield field goal and 1-yard touchdown plunge by Dontae Walker. Sophomore quarterback Travis Anglin led Memphis on a late first-half drive that provided Memphis’ only score, a 36-yard Ryan White field goal.

The 10-3 halftime score held until State’s Dicenzo Miller scored from six yards out with less than two minutes left in the game. Miller’s touchdown followed yet another Memphis turnover, a fumble deep in Tiger territory. Memphis had five turnovers in all — three leading directly to Bulldog scores.

The lackluster Memphis offense spoiled a spectacular debut for new defensive coordinator, Tommy West. The Tigers’ defense held State to 19 total yards in the second half.

The closest Memphis came to getting the ball in the end zone came with 10 minutes to go in the game, and naturally it was the Tiger D that did it. State quarterback Wayne Madkin appeared to fumble the ball while being sacked and Memphis linebacker Kamal Shakir scooped it off the turf and ran into the end zone. But the officials ruled Madkin was down — no fumble, no touchdown.

“That’s a bad missed call,” Scherer said after the game. “It really changed momentum.”

Memphis won most of the statistical battles in the game. The Tigers had 13 first downs to MSU’s 7. They rushed for 87 yards, while holding the Bullies to 45. Memphis had more total yards (168 to 127) and more time of possession (31:57 to 28:03). But five turnovers did them in.

“There is no solace in losing, but I think we have a chance to be the best football team since we’ve been here,” Scherer said. “I think we can be a lot better offensively. People are going to hear that and say ‘168 yards offense.’ But I thought Jimmy [Kiser] called a good game. We did what we said we wanted to do. We didn’t get the ball thrown to our backs as much as we wanted.”

Memphis now prepares to take on Louisiana-Monroe Saturday at the Liberty Bowl.

GAME NOTES

** The game was played in intense heat. The temperature at kickoff was 99 and reached 100 during the game.

** Memphis had two costly turnovers in the first half — both interceptions in their end of the field which led to two Mississippi State scores.

** The Tigers had 16 total yards in the first quarter. A late drive in the second quarter accounted for most of Memphis’ first-half yardage — 84 yards.

** Ryan White’s second quarter field goal moved him into fourth place on the school’s all-time list.

** Scherer is now 0-14 against the three Mississippi schools that Memphis plays regularly (State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss).

** Next week’s opponent, Louisiana-Monroe, had a long day in the MetroDome, losing its opener to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 47-10.

The University of Memphis Tigers open the 2000 football season today at 2:30 p.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The game, expected to be played in 100-degree heat, will be televised on Fox Sports South. The Tigers have not had a winning season since 1994 and have not won seven games in a season since 1976. Mississippi State is a 4 1/2 point favorite.

The game is expected to be a defensive battle with both teams relying on conservative offenses and good kicking games. This neighborhood rivalry has been dominated in recent years by Mississippi State. Scherer is 0-5 against MSU head coach Jackie Sherill. Both Bulldog coordinators are former Tiger coordinators Ñ Joe Lee Dunn and Sparky Woods. There are no secrets in this series.

Memphis wants to run the ball behind its improved offensive line. With a mobile quarterback Travis Anglin, and three talented if inexperienced running backs (Sugar Sanders, Darche Epting, and Dernice Wherry) the Tigers are betting their house on the rushing attack. Sanders is not expected to start because of a sore ankle.

Memphis coach Rip Scherer wants to play solid defense, run the ball, and let his all-American place kicker, Ryan White, win the game with his foot. Interceptions and fumbles will quickly kill the Tigers’ conservative offensive game plan. If Memphis gets behind and has to throw the ball more than 20 times, look out.

CRUCIAL MATCHUPS:

Both teams vs. the heat.

The game, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. was switched to a 2:30 kickoff for TV. The Mid-South has been under an intense heat wave, with record-shattering three-digit temperatures. Who has the deepest bench? Which team will be able to suck it up in the fourth quarter?

State’s offensive line vs. Memphis’s defensive line.

The Bullie line is huge as usual. The Tigers are two and three deep along the defensive front. Will the big hogs from Starkville be able to handle the quick, experienced Tiger front?

MSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn vs. Jimmy Kiser, the QB coach who is in charge of the Tiger offense.

Nobody likes to prepare for Dunn with his unorthodox schemes. Kiser who spent the past 14 years at NC State is a bit of an unknown in this series. How will his offense handle Dunn’s creativity?

GAME NOTES

In a dozen games vs. SEC schools, Rip Scherer has won only once (the 1996 upset of Tennessee). Scherer is 0-5 against Mississippi State.

Senior tight end Billy Kendall caught at least one pass in all 11 games last year, including a career high 6 vs. Arkansas State. Kendall’s 53 catches for 601 yards makes him the school career leader in both categories for tight ends.

Senior linebacker Kamal Shakir had 143 total tackles in 1999, second most in Conference USA and the seventh highest single season total in school history. He also led the Tigers in tackles as a sophomore in 1998.

Memphis won its last three road games of 1999 and finished 3-2 on the road.

Memphis finished 4-2 in Conference USA, tied for second. It was the first winning season for the Tigers in C-USA play.

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