TEAM PROFILE: 2007 Memphis Tigers

Memphis Tigers, 7-5


Playmakers:

WR- Duke Calhoun: Led team in rec yrds and tds last 2 yrs, 7th best rec in Mem history
6-4, 195 SO (Tenn)- 2nd CUSA 07’, All Frosh CUSA 06’

OG- Andy Smith: been great against pass last 3 years as a unit leader
6-4, 312 SR (Ga)- 1st CUSA 07’

OLB- Jake Kasser: former walk on, high motor intensity guy
5-10, 205 SR (Tenn)- 2nd CUSA 07’

C/G- Dominik Riley: highly touted out of high school, 7 starts
6-4, 305 FR (Ala)- All Frosh CUSA 07’

QB- Martin Hankins: transfer from SE Lou. where he was prolific, efficient, overlooked
6-2, 210 SR (Miss)- HM CUSA 07’

WR- Carlos Singleton: good athlete, great upside
6-8, 215 SO (Tenn)- HM CUSA 07’

FS- Brandon Middleton: leads team with 3ints, shifted from CB, good ball instincts
6-1, 195 JR (Tenn)

DE- Greg Terrell: led team with 5 sacks in 06’, Blue-Gray game co MVP in 06’
6-4, 255 SO (Ala)- All Frosh CUSA 06’

OT- Brandon Pearce: consistent, strong, started 20 straight as freshman and soph
6-6, 300 JR (Tenn)- HM CUSA 07’, 3rd CUSA 06’, All Frosh CUSA 05’

TE- Brett Russell: good when targeted, solid blocker
6-3, 245 JR (Tenn)- HM CUSA 07’

WR/KR- Earnest Williams: speedy, good after catch
6-0, 192 JR (Tenn)- HM CUSA 07’ (WR and KR)

DT- Clinton McDonald: vastly improved over frosh year
6-3, 265 JR (Ark)- HM CUSA 07’

CB- LaKeitharun Ford: JUCO transfer in 05’, speedy
5-9, 180 SR (Miss)- HM CUSA 07’

Watch Out For:
WR- Maurice Jones: big play threat, only 70yrds last year
6-4, 215 JR (Tenn)- HM CUSA 07’


Team Info:

Passing Off: 307.8 yrds/g, 12th in NCAA
-Martin Hankins has been tremendous in last 6 games, +2050yrds at least 298each
-team has went 5-1 in that span
-recievers are 6-4, 6-8 and 6-4
-OUTSTANDING pass protection
BIGGEST STRENGTH

Rushing Off: 139.6 yrds/g, 76th in NCAA
-Pitts and Doss are capable of big plays at times
-line much better suited in pass protection than smash mouth blocking

Passing Def: 229.8 yrds/g, 64th in NCAA
-play better than their talent
-don’t force too many picks
-don’t allow big play either
KEY TO GAME

Rushing Def: 209.8 yrds/g, 110th in NCAA
-2 games back to back gave up 278 and 301 to indv rushers, ECar and Tul
-not dreadful, just bad, worst at mid-later part of season
BIGGEST WEAKNESS

Special Teams:
Kicking- D+ (no field goals over 40yrds)
Punting- C
Return Game- C

Key Stats:
3rd Down Conversion- 85/198 (43%) vs. 84/164 (51%)
Penalties- 81 for 668yrds (55.7per) vs. 71 for 631 (52.6per)
Turnovers- 16 vs. 25 (+9)
TOP- 30:19 vs. 29:41

Coaching:
Head Coach: Tommy West, 7th season- 41-43, 1-2 in bowl games
-former Clemson coach 94-98
-solid recruiter, probably better at that than coaching

*Memphis is a one of the most pass heavy teams in country last 2 months
*get outstanding pass protection, can get into heavy shootouts
*good academic standards compared to years past