 |
 |
|
| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 2-9 (1-5) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Rip Scherer Returning starters: 14 (offense 5, defense 7) Outlook After dropping its first five games last season, Memphis overhauled its offense and the change was positive. Going with a bruising ground game, the Tigers posted two wins and stayed close with Tulane, Louisville and East Carolina before losing all three. Next up for a change is the defense, which is now under the tutelage of former Southern Miss coordinator John Thompson. Memphis ranked 106th out of 112 Division I-A programs, surrendering 455.3 yards per game. Head coach Rip Scherer continued to mix things up on the coaching staff, hiring Mac McWhorter to co-coordinate the offense with QB coach Rusty Burns. The Tigers wont get much time to warm up before theyre thrown into the fire. Memphis opens at home against Mississippi and then travels to Mississippi State and Tennessee before September is over. OffenseSophomore Neil Suber took over for Kenton Evans at quarterback eight games into the season and never looked back. Suber completed 49.2 percent of his passes, which isnt saying much until you realize Evans connected on just 44.7 percent. Suber has a strong arm and brings an offensive linemans mentality to the position. Evans was dropped to third on the depth chart behind Stephen Galbraith. In the Tigers offensive metamorphosis last season, they found a rugged runner in 5-8, 194-pound Gerard Arnold. The senior set a school record with 1,059 yards and earned second-team all-conference honors. His emergence helped Memphis average more than 200 yards rushing over the last six games. Teofilo Riley was a good second option, picking up 485 yards on 78 rushes (6.2 yards per carry). Arnold was held out of contact drills in the spring as a precaution; he had injured his knee during spring practice two years ago. Damien Dodson is back at wideout and will finish his career as the schools all-time leading receiver. Darrius Blevins and Richie Floyd are gone and no one looks very ready to step up. One option might be using tight end Billy Kendall more. Kendall had 19 catches last season and should see more action as the team develops an intermediate passing game. The offensive line is young but talented. Two starters return, and the unit should be helped by the arrival of 6-8, 315-pound DeCorye Hampton, one of the schools most heralded signees. Josh Eargle, a former defensive lineman, earned the starting center spot in spring drills. It's a good sign if: The momentum the new offense generated toward the end of last season continues in 1999.It's a bad sign if: Suber can't find a good second receiving option. Defense Thompson gave this unit a major attitude adjustment. The architect of the leagues best defense at Southern Miss, Thompson has a good foundation at Memphis. The defensive line returns two starters in junior tackle Calvin Lewis and senior end Tramont Lawless, who bears a physical resemblance (6-3, 239) to Thompsons old defensive star at Southern Miss, Adalius Thomas. All three linebackers return. Kamal Shakir led the team in tackles last season with 87 and Caspor Stiles and DeMorrio Shank finished third and fifth, respectively. With this much experience coming back, they should flourish in the new scheme. The secondary took a hit when all-CUSA cornerback Mike McKenzie left for the NFL draft (he was picked in the third round by Green Bay). Former walk-on Reginald Howard is back after starting all 11 games last season. Idrees Bashir, who started six games last season, moves from free safety to rover (a combo safety/linebacker). It's a good sign if: Lawless becomes the playmaker this sort of defense needs.It's a bad sign if: McKenzie's absence in the secondary leaves that unit vulnerable. Special Teams Ryan White was one of Memphis bright spots last season, when the freshman nailed all 16 field goals and 22 extra points he attempted. Jim Cande also returns at punter. Dodson can make things happen on returns. -- Greg Collins |
 | |||||