History of Tiger Football ...... 178-186 Homes of the Tigers ...... 184 Conference Affiliations ...... 186 178 HISTORY touchdowns. Hugh Washburn, Rollin Wilson and Charlie Charlie and Wilson Rollin Washburn, Hugh touchdowns. six scored ahalfback, McClure, Elton contest, that In history. Memphis in game scoring highest the in 115-0 HS Somerville defeated School Normal State 14, 1916, West October On history. school’s the in burner barn greatest the to team his led 1916 immediately and powerful Vanderbilt``` team, born. was took nickname Anew Tigers!” like over as “We head shouted, exuberance, their in students, Several coach in atmosphere.” the rending songs and yells Normal with banners “with parade, student a spontaneous the After campaign. the out close to victories bythree followed was MUS to loss A close 75-0. HS Somerville swamped then but HS, Memphis and Aggies the to losses disappointing two with season the opened Normal season. football coming the were high expectations Cullpepper Wilson, assisting for With Auburn. at career football abrilliant after WTSNS ``` local print. fi the marking Wilson, Coach of aphotograph ran Appeal 14, 1914, Commercial Sept. The On Wilson. Clyde sist as- to named were Chandler Hugh and Dennison Hubert fi school’s the faced Normals the ``` 1913 season winless. the through gone have would WTSNS High, Somerville over win a13-0 for been not it Had recovered. really never team the and School, High Memphis to 67-0 lost fi the In hand. grieving campus a thought and died Mynders Seymore day, President same that little of the football 17, Sept. on 1913 1913, later the season and for seasonpractice at ``` 13-0. College Agricultural Bolton defeated ball victory came in the``` 1912 season when football. Tiger the started Thus Tudors stanza. second The game featured a 16-minute a16-minute featured game The squad. MUS powerful the with draw a0-0 to charges his led boys, football the coach to volunteered had who Wilson, Clyde brothers. Howerton the and Hanley, Don and Brian including stars, School High Messick numerous of consisted that ateam together put had Normals The of the ribbons, gray and blue with decorated were Memphis downtown from trollies and 2p.m., for slated was time Game MUS. against WTSNS of Normals the pitted game The team. Turtles Memphis the of home School played its fi ``` Wilson. Clyde named instructor education manual ayoung including teachers, 25 of consisted that afaculty over presided Mynders Seymore President $450,000. of acost at erected were that buildings three of consisted campus The County. Shelby rural in located school teachers year 1912. Less than students 300 were enrolled in the two- 10, September of morning the on AM 10:00 at opened ``` 901-678-2397. at Relations, Media Athletic of Director Rodrigues, Jennifer please contact section, this to facts add can or questions any have you If Sorrels. William and Holmes byCharles written Tigers, Fighting The Football: State Memphis from taken were interesting and section notes chronological are Following this of Parts football. Tiger of tradition rich the about facts rst time a photo involving Normal football appeared in in appeared football Normal involving aphoto time rst fi cial colors of the new school located in Shelby County. County. Shelby in located school new the of colors cial On October 5, 1912, West Tennessee State Normal Normal State Tennessee West 1912, 5, October On The doors of West Tennessee State Normal School School Normal State Tennessee West of doors The Tom Shea, a renowned football player from the the from player football arenowned Tom Shea, 1914 in when added were coaches Two assistant West Tennessee State Normal School’s West Tennessee State Normal School opened In 1915, Cull at Cullpepper joined the faculty rst game of the year, the Blue and Gray Gray and Blue year, the the of game rst 1910 rst football game at Red Elm Park, Park, Elm Red at game football rst rst eight-game schedule. fi rst half and a 12-minute a12-minute and half rst fi nal game, there was was there game, nal S fl ying and fi rst foot- rst fi ght TIGER FOOTBALLHISTORY campaign andcampaign the 1919 the for return to able were None McIntosh. Pete and Wilson Rollin Berry, Bob Grantham, H.K. Washburn, Hugh took injuries season early but coach football head ``` PATs. seven kicked Washburn once. line goal the crossed each McDougle John and Berry Bob son, Bran- Lacy while each, scores three tallied DeSaussure realization that ``` 1921. in game the abandon would Normal appeared it that atmosphere football the was year. dismal So the of touchdown on the season, that in coming the posted a squad 1920 The ebb. record lowest its to falling football Normal of 0-5-0 and``` in fact scored only one been a standout football player at Vanderbilt and came came and Vanderbilt at player football astandout been football as had Curlin 1960. in retirement his until Tigers institution the serve the with to continued and 14 years for director remained athletic and coach He 1924. of fall the in at Westand head coach Tennessee School Normal State ``` era. Curlin Zach the began Thus College. Normal Michigan Central at coach head the become to 1923 in Memphis left ATiger.” Barnard Man “Every statement whispered the with concluded prayer pregame each and man every in spirit Tiger the instilled teamsschool be as accepted Barnard opponents. Coach high would longer no and teams college only play would WTSNS on, 1923 From School. Normal State nessee ``` honor. his in named was Fayetteville in Arena Barnhill Tennessee. and Arkansas at coach head a renowned the school’s inception. Barnhill wouldfi go on to become ``` Barnard. Lester to given was job The coach. and director athletic afull-time employ to decided cannon Kin- A.A. President season, the Following record. 4-5-1 amazing an together put and players young the trained Wilson team. the coach to volunteered Normal, for days playing his during quarterback at selection All-Memphis an twice was who pilot astunt Wilson, Rollin University. ve games, the most victories in a single season since which stillhousesadministrativeofficestoday. Shelby County.Thetotalcostofconstructionwas$450,000.Picturedaboveistheadministrationbuilding In 1912,theUniversityofMemphisopenedwiththreeschoolbuildingswhichwereconstructedinruraleast With John Barnhill playing center, the 1922 team won won team 1922 the center, playing Barnhill John With The 1921 season opened with no coach and the Zachery Henry Curlin became the athletic director director athletic the became Curlin Henry Zachery Ten- West for 1923 in ended era” school “high The The 1920s opened with West Tennessee State The 1919 season found Bic Campbell become become Campbell Bic found 1919 The season 1920 fi ve starters had transferred to Union Union to transferred had ve starters fi nal team record was 3-4-0. was 3-4-0. nal team record S fi nal contest game, 20-0, before 1,500 fans. 1,500 before 20-0, game, the won locals the as night at ball the seeing trouble a 6-3-1 record. In a runaway game against Arkansas Arkansas against game arunaway In record. a 6-3-1 the Valley championship with Conference ``` Commercial Appeal Appeal Commercial ``` Graham’s head. took a roll of adhesive tape he and helmet, his attached without agame the entering Graham helmetcaught to that what the coaches said was law. When McKeen way hard the learned helmet, his without playing to accustomed become had who Graham, championship. school’s the winning and record 8-0-2 an posting undefeated, went Teachers the Evans, Rabbit Field “beneath the rays of 20 powerful projectors.” projectors.” powerful 20 of rays the “beneath Field against Sun Teachers the pitted which contest, The game. football McGof Frank like players With single-wing. the was version That recently graduatedWest Tennessee Teachers State having College, just fromMcKeen brought a more modern version of football to the University 1929. in team the with Curlin assist to volunteered phis, of Tennessee.``` College. Rock and Little Lambuth Normal, Murray State, Delta Bethel, College, included UT-Martinfi Junior``` College, A&M. Arkansas and Lambuth Bethel, SunCollege, over Arkansas State College, WillMay College, over State Arkansas wins capturing while games, two just lost Normals 1927 ``` 15 years. for return not would nickname Tiger Tudors.” The or “Teachers the as team football the to referring began lications pub- and College Teachers State Tennessee West to changed from West Tennessee State Normal School was school the of name the 1925 in However, season. 1925 the to prior more and more Tigers” “The nickname ``` recommendations. high with Normals the to rst conference, the Mississippi Valley Conference, which which Conference, Valley Mississippi the conference, rst On September 28, 1929, WTSTC played its its played WTSTC 1929, 28, September On Under the direction of captain Graham Crawford, the the Crawford, Graham captain of direction the Under The 1930s opened with the Teachers again winning Allyn McKeen, who was practicing law in Mem- in law practicing was who McKeen, Allyn its joined College Teachers State Tennessee West The downtown newspapers began to use the the use to began newspapers downtown The fi n, Fulghum, Jimmy Gene and Graham captain fl ower Junior College, was played at Hodges Hodges at played was College, Junior ower 1930 wrote that the Teachers had no had Teachers the that wrote S fi eld, Delta State State Delta eld, fi rst conference conference rst fl oe Junior ower fi rst night The The HISTORY 179 cial who was furthermost from the fi rst two “Ole Paint Bucket” before the dent was Tiger quarterback James Earl fi cial had turned to get out of my way,” said fi In 1957, Memphis In 1957, State College became Memphis The Tigers, who had never been able to sign local In 1959, the Tigers reached the national spotlight Billy J. Murphy accepted the position of head football Skeeter Ellis was a standout halfback in 1938. sas State, agreed to create “The Ole Paint Bucket,” a a Bucket,” Paint Ole “The create to agreed State, sas school winning the in presented to be would that trophy each year’s Tiger-Indian tilt. The trophy was designed to keep students from the two schools from painting each other’s buildings the week prior to the game. Memphis State captured the fi series was disbanded. The Tigers concluded the 1956 season playing in the Burley Bowl in Johnson City, Tenn. The boys from Memphis defeated State College on November 32-12 22, 1956. ``` State University, and stepped down after the season to concentrate on his duties as a teacher. A former assistant coach under Hatley, Billy J. Murphy, took over as head coach and the greatest era in Tiger football got underway. ``` coach on January 1958, 13, his 37th birthday. For the next years14 Murphy would build the football team into one of the most powerful squads in the country. His 91-44-1 record stands as the winningest in Tiger football history. “No one else would have have been tough enough to build a would we program staff, there,” said former Ole my Miss Rebel head coach on been had John Vaught. he “He built Memphis If State football into what today. players is it such land to won the world.” began stars, ``` Vollmer. football Russ and school Bramlett high John Ribilio, Fred John as Murphy sent coaches into West Virginia and New Jersey to ink players like Dave Casinelli, Dennis Biodrowski, Richard Adragna, John Cronin and Bob Finamore. ``` when they battled Alabama and its new head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. The Tigers, who had changed their offense prior to the game, opened the scoring and led 7-0 early in the game. Alabama regained the lead 14-7 and set up a frenzied fourth quarter conclusion. In the fourth stanza, the Tigers moved inside the Alabama 5- yard line. So con Wright in his ability to score that he called a two-point conversion play to try and gain the touchdown. Wright put the burden of scoring on his own shoulders. He took the snap and sprinted to his right. When he spotted an opening in the Alabama defense, Wright dove for the end zone. “I landed three feet deep into the end zone, but the closest of Wright. “Finally, the of cameplay, in and spotted the ball at the one inch line and gave it to Alabama.” The game prompted Coach Bryant to say...”Wright is too good to play for anybody but the .” rst Blue-Gray Blue-Gray rst rst major victory fi rst and only other fi S rstteamall-American fi rst team With in 1912. the 1950 The 1950s found Memphis State College opening Lou McLelland, In 1951, a standout end for the Ti- The highlight of the 1954 season came in Sugar Modern day offense came to Memphis State in By 1949, the Tigers were rolling, scoring 385 points When football returned to Memphis State’s campus The roster 1947 featured all new players. No foot- ``` the season with the before 21,000 fans in Crump Stadium. It was the largest crowd todate to witness a Memphis State game. As had been done eight times in the past, Ole Miss won the game. ``` gers, was named to Williamson’s squad. In 1952, the Tigers defeated Louisville 29-25 in in 29-25 Louisville defeated Tigers the 1952, In squad. Memphis. The Cardinals quarterback that afternoon was Unitas. Johnny ``` Bowl Stadium in New Orleans, La., where the Tigers battled tie. to Andy a 13-13 Tulane Nelson scored both Tiger touchdowns. ``` 1955 when the Tigers switched from the old single-wing to the brand In new 1956, split-T. the Memphis State Arkan- of administration the with along administration, help of a young assistant coach who had returned from the War as a decorated Marine, Hatley set out tosign new players. He and assistant Billy J. Murphy inked 37 players from Memphis, the most ever signed in one year Memphis. from ``` opponents. Memphis State was by 87 just allowing and scoring in nation offense the second 1949 in in ranked and again in 1950. victory The 21-14 over Kansas State considered the was 1949 University in for Memphis StateCollege. counterintelligence. Most of the players enlisted in the armed forces after the 1942 season and football was disbanded until the season. 1947 ``` CecilinC. 1947, Humphreys was hired as athletic director and he in turn hired an old friend from the to coach the football team. That friend was Ralph Hatley. Upon Hatley’s hiring, the coaching staff searched for ideas to improve Tiger football after the four- year delay caused by World put War II. players To in game situations, Hatley and his staff created the fi Spring Game. It was played in April of 1947. ``` ball lettermen from prior to World War II returned and, for only the second time in the school’s history, a coach was forced to start from scratch. The time was Clyde Wilson’s fi ve touchdowns fi S nancial guarantee before 1940 cials asked for a fi fi ve buildings, 698 students and an annual budget budget annual 698 an buildings, and students ve fi On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed bombed Japanese the 1941, 7, December On West Tennessee State Teachers College became State Teachers Tennessee West In 1935, West Tennessee State Teachers College State Teachers Tennessee 1935, West In After an 0-9-0 record in 1936, Curlin stepped down College Teachers State Tennessee West 1937, In The 1938 season became WTSTC’s only unde- only WTSTC’s became season 1938 The Allyn McKeen did not return as coach in 1939. He Ed Molinski, a three-time all-American at the Univer- Rollin Wilson, a stunt pilot who was twice an All-Memphis selection at quarterback during his playing days Rollin Wilson, a stunt pilot who was twice an All-Memphis selection at quarterback during his at WTSTC, came back to coach the team in 1921. sity of Tennessee, became an assistant for Humphreys in and helped1941 guide the team to seven wins. However, the winds of war loomed in the not too distant future. ``` Pearl Harbor and on the morning of December 8, 1941, C.C. Humphreys joined the FBI, accepting a position in ``` Memphis State College in 1941. ``` State College, Sam Johnson scored left the Mississippi Valley Conference and joined the the joined and to leadand the kicked Teachers toseven a 73-0 PATs Conference victory. Valley ``` Mississippi the left Association) Athletic SIAA Intercollegiate (Southern alongwith Middle Tennessee State College, Louisiana College, Delta State College, State Troy Teachers Col- lege, TPI (Tennessee UnionUniversity ), and Murray StateNormal. ``` as head football coach to devote his attention to his job as intramural director. Allyn McKeen was brought back to be- come head coach, and he immediately hired a friend from a coach. assistant assistant line That was his as Tennessee increase to effort an In Humphreys. “Sonny” C. Cecil very small athletic budget, each faculty member pledged a week’s salary to support the athletic program. ``` had of $56,000. of ``` feated and untied campaign in the school’s history. After posting a perfect 10-0-0 record, the Associated Press in New (November York 1938) declared 21, WTSTC as the nation’s scoring champions with San Jose State second. McKeen’sTeachers werethe Prune Bowl in California, invited but due to a limited budget, to play of school San Jose State in taking the team to California. The guarantee never came and the boys from Memphis stayed home in 1938. ``` football Mississippi head College State as by hired was coach and has since been enshrined in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame for his accomplish- ments at the two schools. Cecil Humphreys was named head coach at a salary of $200 per month. 180 HISTORY that traveled Field to Miss., Scott in Starkville, anticipating fans their and Tigers the season, 1962 the start to 4-1 of arecord With football. college of mainstream the reached had State Memphis that indicated events two These 1963. in Miss Ole 3ranked No. with tie 0-0 epic an with followed was that event awatershed 28-7. was It University State Mississippi defeated State Memphis 27, 1962, October On boot. to road the on and opponent its claimed team the when ``` scrimmage. from pass touchdown longest and acareer in offense total most acareer, in passes touchdown most acareer, in passing yards most in scored apoints game, in most touchdowns a season, most agame, in passes touchdown most agame, in ing pass- yards most offense, total most the for record the 1961,held in he Tigers the left he When South.” the in back dangerous “most the quarterback Tiger the called and leader touchdown nation’s the as Wright featured proved to be the only only the be to proved Columns surgery, before Shortly Louisville. against passes touchdown three and Hardin-Simmons, against passes touchdown two and touchdowns two Citadel, The against touchdowns three scored had 31, 1961, Wright October on operation knee acareer-ending Before ries. 10 in catego- records school set and passing in nation the led honors, all-America won Wright season, injury-free full, one only played he Although football. Tiger of Boy ``` amagni against age of came really they night this power...on amajor become they’ve Murphy, J. Billy Under Tigers. the see ever to largest the perhaps and home at play State Memphis see ever to crowd largest the was reported...”This newspaper area An Tigers. the over victory a31-20 out pull to touchdowns quarter fourth late two score Rebels the witnessed Stadium Crump packed 24,711 The that Gibbs. fans out play, beating his for Week honored as the Associated be would Wright that idea no had fans Tiger enthusiasm, Press National Back their in Even underdog. of a32-point were the Wright, Earl byJames led Tigers, the and nation, the in team ranked 1 No. the were Gibbs, Jake quarterback by All-American led Rebels, The Stadium. Crump at Miss Ole of Rebels the on taking before games two winning State Memphis ``` Dave Casinelliwasastarplayerintheearly1960s. The decade of the 1960s opened with the boys from from boys the with opened 1960s the of decade The In 1962, Memphis State reached a major milestone milestone amajor reached State Memphis 1962, In James Earl Wright became known as the Golden fi rst win against an SEC opponent. According to the the to According opponent. SEC an against win rst ...”The Maroons scored on a pass play but this this but play apass on scored Maroons ...”The 1960 fl aw in the Memphis State defense. defense. State Memphis the in aw fi SEC an over ever win rst S fi Time centfoe.” magazine magazine fi nally selves with them- found Tigers the nearer, drew season 1964 the just nine games.late as in possible order to SEC schedule opponents. As Athletic as dates held always State Memphis 1964. in occurred Director``` Eugene 1963. in home at sat country the in teams college major best the of one and came never bid The came. it when bid Bowl Gator the take to voted coaches and team the and Florida, in Bowl Gator wealthier bythe made been also had ever, contact . in How- play to Tigers the invited Bowl Sun The season. undefeated the of aresult as came 1938) in offer ``` Year. the of Coach Billy J. Murphy was named named was Murphy J. Billy and season, undefeated an to on went Tigers play. The heroic his for Week the of Back National Press sociated As- the named was He touchdown. winning the for drive a70-yard engineered and game the re-entered Vollmer roar. then and murmur to began crowd The sideline. State the around trotting began and room dressing the from steps the up came alone, Vollmer, team returned the while to quarterback Tiger the the taped trainer, fi athletic the Smith, “Doc” Eugene halftime. at remaining minutes afew with room locker Tiger the to returned and injuries serious no have to found was Vollmer halftime. at lead a10-9 to moved State Mississippi Stadium. Crump to next located was which Room, Emergency Hospital’s ist fall injured Vollmer’s back and he to was Method- rushed The stands. Stadium Crump the under rooms dressing the to led that stairwell aconcrete down and bench the over player hit Vollmer with a“ with Vollmer hit player playing the to return to attempting was he As area. bench State sippi Missis- the in bounds of out running sideline, the toward returned a State Mississippi punt up the middle and cut fi State’s Memphis up set to yards 79 kickoff opening the broke Vollmer legends. to birth gave that game of kind the was It fans. bythe acceptance his of because game the remembered quarterback, Tigers’ the Vollmer, Russ teams. two the between played,” ever game “toughest the as game the remembered Murphy University. State sippi Missis- of Bulldogs the opponent, SEC another against ``` play. his for Week the of Player Gillespie of of Gillespie byCharles described was game The contest. the for stadium the packed fans 31,650 and nation, the 3in No. ranked were Rebels The Memphis. in Stadium Crump at up match Miss State-Ole Memphis the for set was stage the Miss, Southern over awin with season the opening After aloss. without campaign the through go to Tigers the expected one no Houston, and Tulsa, Louisville Miss, Southern State, Mississippi Miss, Ole like opponents of. With made are dreams that seasons those of one be to out turned 1963 But season. undefeated an experienced ``` 17th the in ranked season Tigers The season. 1963 the for stage the set helped and history football State Memphis in greatest the as touted was win The order. restore could fl and schools two the of fans between developed melee Agreat posts. goal the down tear to ing the victory, rushed the sens- Memphis, from students and fans of Thousands score”. another for sneak aquarterback with scoring the up Dave Casinelli’s slashing touchdown. Vollmer ended set Bramlett byJohn Akey interception touchdown. own his up set to return kickoff a73-yard with open game the broke Vollmer conversion. the added Vollmer Russ and line yard two the from score the tied Killett Charles Fred Ribilio was named the the named was Ribilio Fred John State’s Memphis Rebels. bythe beaten been not had 0-0 deadlock, marking the the marking deadlock, 0-0 a to battled teams two the However, games. 23 in Tigers the games, consecutive 48 in out shut been not had team Rebel The given.” was none and quarter no offered teams two The season. football intercollegiate 1963 the of shock ew intermittently on the fi One of the most unusual events in football college in events unusual most the of One The The second great game of the 1963 season came came season 1963 the of game great second The It had been 24 years since a Tiger football team team football aTiger since 24years been had It fi rst major bowl bid (excluding the Prune Bowl Bowl Prune the (excluding bid bowl major rst The Commercial Appeal Commercial The fi eld, an over zealous State Mississippi rst score. In the second quarter, he he quarter, second the In score. rst eld and started the second half. half. second the started and eld eld for an hour before police police before hour an for eld fl fi fi ying tackle.” It knocked him him knocked It tackle.” ying nal poll. nal fi rst time that Memphis State State Memphis that time rst The Football News Football The eld at the end of the game game the of end the at eld Illustrated Sports fi eld to the Memphis eld to the Memphis as...”the fi sts and cowbells cowbells and sts fi nished the 1962 1962 the nished Memphis State State Memphis fi National National rst great great rst ``` Commission. Park Memphis bythe operated was and dollars million $3.7 of acost at built was stadium The team. football Tiger the for home new the as served and 1965, 16, tember ``` Press. and Associated honors from fi won Tigers, the for tackle fensive of- an Schuh, Harry 20-18. and 20-14 games both won second in Jackson, Miss. Unfortunately, Southern Miss fi The teams. two the between season same the during game a second modern collegiate football. Contracts were signed to play in arrangements unusual most the of one came Thus games. nine just had also game, one for schedule Tigers’ the on already Miss, Southern that discovered Lambert Playboy fl vets and marines local air, and the over Quantico” from clowns “those about acomment made Eaton Jack Tigers the of Voice and sportscaster Memphis that it has Lore Quantico. of Marines the against season 6-4 respectable Quantico, Va., with the greatest con ashed the word to Virginia - perhaps to the Pentagon Pentagon the to -perhaps Virginia to word the ashed season. which helped theTigerscomplete anundefeated upset the11th-ranked BulldogsinMemphis17-14, on aMississippiState receiverin1963.Memphis John Bramlett(64) ledthedefensivelineinanassault Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium opened on Sep- In 1965, Memphis State took a took State Memphis 1965, In WILLIAMSON’S 1962FINAL Magazine, NATIONAL RANKINGS rst was to be played in Memphis and the the and Memphis in played be to was rst Time 17. MEMPHISSTATE 20. MichiganState , the Football Coaches Association, Association, Coaches Football , the 8. Georgia Tech 5. SouthernCal 14. TV Guide TV 12. 9. PennState 19. Nebraska 7. Mississippi 11. Arkansas 6. Oklahoma 4. Pittsburgh 10. Alabama 16. Missouri 18. Purdue 15. Florida 13. Duke 1. Texas 2. Navy 3. LSU , United Press International rst team All-America All-America team rst fi a icing of dence 5-4 record to HISTORY 181 ve years. Enter fi nal season, the Tiger coach was rst win in history over Ole Miss in the state of fi nally gave Gowen up, sat down in the spectator fi The Tigers were 5-5-1 under Pancoast in 1972, but The 11th head football The 11th coach at Memphis State was On February 5, 1972, Billy J. Murphy, the winningest Billy J. Murphy was carried off the field following Memphis’ win over Mississippi in 1967. up the stadium steps into the seating area. When the big lineman Mississippi. Playing the Rebels in the third game of the seasonwas not normal but in 1973, MSU had Louisville and North State Texas scheduled ahead of its nemesis from Oxford. Powered by the arm of David Fowler and the legs of Cliff and Taylor Dornell Harris, the Tigers 17-13. prevailed . ``` Fred Pancoast. A native of Florida and a former Univer- sity of Georgia and Florida assistant coach, Pancoast found a wealth of talent among the players he inherited. Dallas adopting by look team’s the changed quickly He Cowboys style uniforms. ``` the season 1973 contained numerous highlights, includ- ing MSU’s seats, placed the ball in his lap and caught his breath. ``` coach in Tiger football history, announced that he was giving up coaching to devote himself full-time to his job as athletic director. In his war to bring Memphis State into national prominence, Murphy amassed a 91-44-1 record. fi his beginning of the At rated the nation’s 15th winningest football mentor. As he had promised, Murphybuilt a winner in rst time since the the since time rst fi S The Football News ory. The Highland Hundred Hundred Highland The ory. nishing 11th in the nation in in nation the in 11th nishing fi rst time that Memphis State ap- nal United Press poll, and David Ber- fi 1970 rst year of competition. of year rst rst time in school hist school in time rst ve-year won loss record to 33-15. fi fi The Tigers opened the decade of the 1970s with Louis Fernandez was selected to play in the Shrine The highlight of the 1968 schedule was the meeting In 1971, Memphis In 1971, State claimed the Missouri Valley Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which was originally built at a cost of $3.7 million, was completed in 1965. Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which was originally The stadium officially opened in September of 1965. rst-year member of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Conference, the Missouri the Valley of member rst-year All-America teams. Berrong was tabbed by the Associ- ated Press and the Central Press Association on their All-America squads. ``` Paul “Skeeter” Gowen one of their own The and 1967 won the contest 27-17. fi the marked also season peared on regionalTigers television. took on Florida State University on ABC-TV. As a On Novemberfi 4, 1967, the Tigers were now aligned with Drake, Louisville, Wichita State, Bradley, Cincinnati, North Tulsa, State Texas and Saint Louis, but were not eligible for the conference title that fi in ``` of Memphis State and the University of Tennessee for the booster club had printed thousands of bumper stickers saying...”Draft the Volunteers, get the MSU-UT football series.” A number of MSU students took the stickers and traveled across the state plastering cars. One group of students even went to Knoxville and stuck cars on the Tennessee campus. A bill was drafted to force the two teams but to play, the schools’presidents met with Governor Buford Ellington and set up the home-and- home contests. The Tigers but lost to Tennessee 24-17, claimed the Missouri Valley Championship and Murphy was named the Conference Coach of the Year. ``` North-South All-Star Game after the 1969 season, and Danny Pierce was picked to play in the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco. The Tigers the in nation the were ranked 20th in rong and Steve Jaggard were tied for third in the nation in interceptions with eight each. Offensive tackle Bob Parker was selected to UPI’s and 1954 Burley Bowl, earned that elusive bowl invitation. As conference champion, the Tigers were invited to the Pasadena Bowl to takegame 28-9, but on one note not covered San in the game stories Jose State.was a run by tailback MSU Skeeter Gowen in the fourth won period. the After breaking free around the end, he scooted over the goal line, hotly pursued by a gigantic Spartan lineman. In the end zone, Gowen slowed to stop. But the lineman kept coming. Gowen trotted out of the end zone. So did the lineman. At that point the little Memphis back raced rushing. The team compiled a 6-4 record and brought the ``` Conference championship, and for the Na- eld, some dressed dressed some eld, fi Sports Illustrated rst ever indoor contest fi 2. Navy Missouri 4. Illinois 6. Auburn 20. Baylor 9. Alabama 1. Alabama 5. Nebraska 3. Pittsburgh 8. Oklahoma 12. Syracuse Southern Cal 7. Mississippi 16. Penn State 15. Washington 13. Arizona State 19. North Carolina 10. Michigan State 11. Mississippi State 11. 14. MEMPHIS STATE 1963 FINAL UPI RANKINGS The shot-heard-around-Memphis came in 1967 1967 in came shot-heard-around-Memphis The Billy Fletcher was named the The 1966 season concluded with the Tigers playing John Fred Robilio earned National Player of the Week honors for the 1963 Memphis vs. Ole Miss game. - and the best football players serving in the Marine Corps at the time were transferred to Quantico, some arriving the night before the game, to face the Tigers.A festive group of Memphis State alumni from the Washington area drove down to see the game, but the grizzled marine sergeants on the other side of the tional Player of the Week, the Associated Press Back of of Back Press Associated the Week, the of Player tional the Week and United Press National Player of the Week for his play against 9th-ranked for Mississippi State. Fletcher attempts pass 18-of-30 set the Memphis State passing record against the completing Bull- night, that dogs Associated by 15th ranked were Tigers The yards. 257 Press on October 1965. 19, After the season, Lambert Dr. resigned as athletic director, and Murphy assumed that role as well as head football coach. ``` the 11th-ranked University of in the As- trodome. The game marked the for the Tigers. Memphis State won the game 14-13. ``` of Rebels the with campaign the opened Tigers the when Ole Miss. The Liberty Bowl was packed with fans 50,414 on September 23 as the two teams met for the time 21st in the series. But, this time the outcome was different. Led by Nick Pappas, Bob Baxter, Ricky Thurow and Herb Covington, the Tigers answered every Rebel score with in clown suits, made the most noise as they alternately beat a huge drum, cheered and consumed kegs of beer. The pride of the corps persevered 20-14. ``` 182 HISTORY the Williamson era at Memphis State University. State Memphis at era Williamson the ended Thus 1981 season. the for retained be not would noti was Williamson Richard campaign, 1980 adisastrous after and seasons, up-and-down having ``` win. the up set that pass Eagle aGolden of return 91-yard Orian’s Bob was it although Miss, Southern against play his for Week the of Back Press Associated the named was Patterson Lloyd quarterback Tiger season, the in play. Later his for was Hill Eddie Week the of Back National Press tailback Associated the named Tiger State. Mississippi at tenure It marked the Tyler. Bob coach head its and State Mississippi over ``` was. never been, have might What season. 4-0 7- consecutive second its post to year the of games two its split State Memphis Memphis. in Tennessee to 21-14 losing before victories more two added MSU 42-33. game the lost Tigers the and disrupted was team the of mood The practice. boycotted players African-American many move, asolidarity in and team the quit linebackers two game, the to prior Monday on But, games. their of rest the win to set were Tigers the like seemed It Bowl. were ready wins Tigers the came record, a4-1 With to Then Auburn. and SMU against take Tulsa. to game a on Mississippi dropping before State State Florida and Miss Ole beating gangbusters, like inseason the Libertyfi ``` Tigers’ the and Louisville, and Houston State, Florida 1975 in included victories Other 31-20. contest the won and prevailed State Memphis Wright, Keith and Gray Earnest receivers and Middleton Terdell tailback Brown, Kippy byquarterback led but half, second the in back roared team home The halftime. at 24-0 trailed and Tigers bythe stunned was Auburn ranked Sixth- Tigers. the meet to set were team his and coach entering his second game of Williamson’s career. Shug Jordan was ``` MSU. at tenure his during storms several weather would Williamson disciplinarian, Ahard-nosed nation. the in coaches head youngest the of one was Williamson 33-years-old, At fortunes. football fi Namath’s Joe caught who and Alabama of University the for receiver wide aformer Williamson, Pancoast. replace 1975, to 20, January on hired was Alabama, and ``` others. among State Florida and Miss Ole over wins gained had and seasons short 20-12-1 of three in arecord posted had to accept the head coaching position``` at Vanderbilt. He rst career touchdown pass, was hired to direct the Tiger Tiger the direct to hired was pass, touchdown career rst cult ever played by the Tigers. The team opened the the opened team The Tigers. bythe played ever cult game wastelevisedbyABC-TV. The Tigersmadetheirfirst-evernetworktelevisionappearancein1967againstFloridaStateMemphis. Richard Williamson, an assistant coach at Arkansas Arkansas at coach assistant an Williamson, Richard The latter stages of the 1970s found the Tigers Tigers the found 1970s the of stages latter The a21-13 was win season 1977 the of highlight The dif- most the was 1976 schedule the think Many The Tigers traveled to Auburn, Ala., to play the season 1974 the after State Memphis left Pancoast fi nal season at Auburn, and the legendary legendary the and Auburn, at season nal fi rst non-conference loss for Tyler in his Tyler his in for loss non-conference rst fi nal ledger read, 7-4-0. read, ledger nal fi ed that he fi nal the Rebels their worst defeat in a game against the Tigers Tigers the against agame in defeat worst their Rebels the handed and Bowl Liberty the in Miss Ole against opened Tigers The season. 1983 the of contest opening the in ``` streak. the break to 12-0 State Arkansas defeated Tigers the when erupted Bowl Liberty 27, the 1982, November On games. consecutive 17 next the dropped Tigers 1981, the 26, September on Commercial Appeal Commercial his gaining After streak. losing longest nation’s the of noose the escape to battled Tigers The staff. his and Dockery ``` Association. American the of Pros Memphis the of manager general MSU, had worked as a sports writer and editor of of editor and writer asports as worked had MSU, of agraduate Cavagnaro, University. State Memphis at director athletic as Patterson Bob replace to hired was Cavagnaro Charles 1982, Texas Tech.from November In Dockery Rex with MSU to come had lineman, offensive Tiger aformer Patterson, director. athletic as Murphy J. ``` fortunes. football Tiger the direct to hired was Texas at Tech, coach head the and player Tennessee of dismissal of Williamson, , a University former ``` 1971. Memphis won28-9 over SanJoseState. Dornell Harris breaksloose at thePasadenaBowl in fi The frustrations of the past two seasons exploded exploded seasons two past the of frustrations The The 1981 and 1982 seasons were a struggle for for astruggle were seasons 1982 1981 and The In 1981, Bob Patterson was hired to replace Billy Billy replace to hired was Patterson 1981, In Bob the with 1980s the of decade the opening After rst coaching victory at MSU against Georgia Tech Georgia against MSU at victory coaching rst 1980 . He had also spent time as the the as time spent also had . He S The The Louisville to Tulane, Vanderbilt, State, Mississippi Cincinnati and against win to rebounded Tigers the Alabama, Tech and Virginia Carolina, 37-17. North to Miss Ole losses After off knocked MSU Williams, Punkin and Womack Jeff of running bythe Powered series. the of history the in for fall camp, Stobart was forced to keep most of the staff staff the of most keep to forced was Stobart camp, fall for ``` team. the He became the fi program. football the rebuild to hired was Stobart Chuck probation. years two received team the and resign to forced was Bailey job, asummer for payment over in $300 approximately received had Maclin, James player, ``` program. football Tiger the of investigation NCAA an of light the in paled soon record 6-5-0 season’s 1988 the However, win. the to team the Jr., led Rogers Glenn and Moore Eddie backs defensive and Crawford Xavier Tailback avictory. such gain and coaching football his in moment career acrowning was it Bailey, For ville. to return 17-11 Florida Gaines- in 20th-ranked bystopping 1988 to Florida``` as an underdoga 5-5-1 record. Tulsa post to and Louisville over victories gaining MSU with end an to came season The Bowl. Liberty the in 13-10 Alabama 15th-ranked byupsetting world football college the stunned then and Miss Ole over 16-10 win ``` in University derbilt Nashville. Van- of hands the at coming victory lone the with 1986 in record a1-10-0 to struggled Tigers Bailey’s Florida, of University the at ranks coaching the of Aveteran son. ``` coach. head the as hired was Bailey was Dempsey 1985, in a 2-7-2 ledger just managed Tigers the when and season, the of end the at mount to began losses but State, Florida ally-ranked nation- with atie and Louisiana Southwestern Cincinnati, record at 5-5. There a.500 had team 1984 His MSU. at were program football the wins over Mississippi direct to hired was Illinois, Southern from coach onship State, ``` annals. football Tiger in en route banquet. to It an was all-star the darkest moment Tenn., Lawrenceburg, in crash aplane in killed all were Jones Glenn pilot and Greenhill Charles back defensive ``` of times. worst the became times of best the been had what and instance brief one in struck Tragedy bright. very looked future the and 6-4-1 to record their improved had State Memphis from boys the 1982, in 1-10-0 From team. improved most mascot of theTigers. Little TOM, withtrainerLouie Bell,wasthefirst official Arriving just three weeks before the team reported reported team the before weeks three just Arriving When it was determined by the NCAA that one Bailey’s Tigers gained national headlines again in sea- 1986 the for staff his and Bailey Charlie Enter , a Division 1-AA National Champi- Faros, Chris coordinator offensive Dockery, Rex The Tigers opened the 1987 campaign with a fi nish the season as the NCAA’s second fth coach in a 10-year span to lead lead to span a10-year in coach fth fi red and Charlie Charlie and red HISTORY 183 nal drive fi anker Ryan Ryan anker fl nal game of the fi ve yards for the score. fi nal nal fi rst bowl game since the 1971 ushed from the pocket, couldn’t couldn’t pocket, the from ushed fl rst down at the Ole Miss two-yard line. eld for an 18-yard gain. On 3rd-and-8 from the fi In January of 1995, , the head football nd anyone open and decided to run the ball. He gained Roskelly had a record-setting night against The Tulsa. Placentia, Calif., native returned punts 10 for 194 yards and one touchdown and caught six passes yards for 174 and second a score. Roskelly’s 368 all-purpose yards set punt in a Memphis yards record 194 as did his punt return yardage and his Roskelly’s fact, In returns. of number returns were the most by any player in NCAA Division I football in 1994. After claiming a third straight win over the , the Tigers ran off victories against ArkansasTulane, State and Cincinnati. Racing with East Carolina for a bid to the St. Jude-Liberty Bowl, the Tigers rival backyard facing Oxford, Miss., in themselves found Ole Miss. Over the 73 years that the contest had been the in Oxford. in Miss Ole defeated never had Tigers the waged, remaining 8:26 just with 16-5 Rebels the Trailing game, the Tigers mounted the greatest comeback in the school’s history. After a 43-yard punt return by Ryan Roskelly, Memphis drove the ballyards 31 with tailback Frank Fletcher going the The lead had been After cut to holding 16-11. Ole Miss and forcing a punt, the Tigers mounted their of the game. Quarterback JoeBorich keyed the drive, which took 4:02, with three clutch plays. On 4th-and-15 from the 31-yard line, Borich (from a shotgun set) rolled left out of the pocket, then came back right toward the sidelines where he spotted tailback Frank Fletcher slant- down ing With 11 seconds left, Borich called a sprint pass and and pass sprint a called fi Borich left, nine yards and a fi seconds 11 With found Ryan Roskelly in thecorner of the end zone for the winning score. “I never saw the completion,” Borich said after the game. After dropping the season and losing the Liberty Bowl bid to East Carolina, was relieved of his duties and a search began for a new head football coach. ``` coach at James Madison University, was hired as the Tigers’ 20th head football coach. Scherer, who had also served as an assistant coach at Georgia Alabama Tech, and Arizona, took over at Memphis on January and 13 immediately began putting together his staff and trying to salvage recruiting. Scherer brought in Jim Pletcher (defensive coordinator), Million Ted (offensive and line) David Lockwood (wide receivers) from his staff at James Madison. He hired Keith Butler (defensive ends), Wayne Weedon (defensive Vic line), Koenning (secondary) and 11-yard line,11-yard Borich was Alliance (East Carolina, Cincinnati, Tulane, Southern Alliance Carolina, Tulane, Cincinnati, (East Miss and Memphis), the Tigers had an opportunity to play their way into thefi Pasadena Bowl. Early in the season, junior nished nished fi National National rstnational fi nal margin of victory a eld goals against Tulane Tulane against goals eld fi Sports Illustrated eld goals. He was named to fi rst nationally televised broadcast against the fi nished the game with 362 yards of total offense. fi In 1993, Memphis State shocked the nation by The 1994 season marked the end of an era for head The Tigers celebrate a 13-10 victory over 15th-ranked Alabama at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in 1987. The Tigers celebrate a 13-10 victory over 15th-ranked Alabama at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Actress Cybill Shepherd, a native Memphian, gave Actress Cybill Shepherd, before the Tigers’ upset the team a pre-game talk win over USC. the fourth quarter to make the fi three his With 62-20. whopping boosting his season total Joe to 19, Allison laid claim to the 1992 Lou Groza Award. The GrozaAward, presented Joe each year to the nation’s top kicker, was the Allison, Davey award ever won by a Memphis driver football The player. cousin NASCAR late the of the season with 23 made made 23 with season the six All-America teams, in addition to being named the recipient of the Groza Award. ``` opening the season with a 45-35 victory over the na- University. Mississippi State of Bulldogs tionally-ranked Senior quarterback Steve Matthews completed a school- record 29-of-45 pass attempts for 340 yards and two touchdowns. The lefthander set Tiger records for most pass completions in a game and (29) for most attempts in a game (45). In addition, he ran for touchdown a 41-yard and Matthews was named the Player of the Week for his part in the Tiger win. The Tigers reached another milestone when they appeared their on Hurricanes of the University of Miami in the Orange Bowl. The game was carried by ESPN. Memphis had played in several regional broadcasts on ESPN and ABC, but had never played in a national broadcast. ``` coach Chuck Stobart, but still found Tiger football battling Liberty the Bowl of member a As bid. bowl elusive that for eld goal goal eld nish the the nish fi fi anker Mac fl rst-half offensive offensive rst-half fi S eld goal ofthe game in fi nal 20 yards for the touchdown. After eld goal to push the Tiger lead to 59- fi rst quarter on touchdowns by tailback 1990 fi eld goal, Memphistrailed 10-3 at halftime. rst points of the game on a 45-yard fi During the 1992 and 1993 seasons, the team’s team’s the seasons, 1993 and 1992 the During In 1991, Stobart’s In 1991, Tigers again put the school’s Coach Rex Dockery, who led his 1983 squad to Coach Rex Dockery, who in a plane crash shortly a 6-4-1 record, was killed after the season. rst time in the two schools’ histories, and Irvin used the nal score of the day and provided the margin 24-10 of added second quarter scores to up Memphis’ halftime halftime Memphis’ up to scores Cody and strong safety Sam Edwards. Martin quarter and Bruce second added lead to 49-13. Cody caught his second touchdown pass of the game in the third stanza, and kicker Joe Allison added a 31-yard 20. Allison booted his second John Martin wide (2), receiver , explosion in modern Tiger history and produced the most points scored by a Tiger35 points the in team in 23 years. Memphis tallied ``` name in headlines across the nation by beating the 14th- ranked Trojans of Southern Cal in 24-10 the Los Angeles Coliseum. The passing of Keith Benton and the rushing of aided in the monumental victory. The Tigers the scored of his predecessor. The Tigers defeated Vanderbilt and Cincinnati, but dropped nine games in 1989 to opportunity to not only log a couple of records but help Memphis to a 22-6 win over the Razorbacks. In a span of 60 minutes, Irvin broke the oldest record in the NCAA record book. The 1992 Memphis-Tulane game in the New Orleans Superdome saw the greatest victory. Actress Cybill Shepherd, star of stage, screen and screen stage, of star Actress Cybill Shepherd, victory. television, was presented the game ball since she gave the team an inspiring pregame speech in the locker room. Southern Mississippi State, over wins gained Memphis Miss and Louisville on its way to a 5-6-0 record. ``` 6-5-0 to record improved wins impressive included and over the , Ole Tulane, Miss and Mississippi State. In 1992, Tiger cornerback Ken Irvin placed his name in the NCAA and Memphis record book by blocking four punts in a single game. The Tigers were hosting the University of Arkansas in Memphis for the fi season with a 2-9-0 record. Mazio tailback Junior plays. 10 in by Joe Allison. yards During the next three 81 minutes, the Trojans marched Royster, USC’s Heisman candidate, Trophy did most of the damage in the drive, but it was quarterback Reggie Perry who went the fi a Cole Ford fi Butthe second half belonged to the boys from Memphis. On the opening drive, Benton hit wide receiver Russell Jones with a 40-yard touchdown strike and suddenly the score was tied at Xavier 10-10. Crawford and Porter began banging away on the ground in the third and fourth quarters and set up a four-yard touchdown pass from Benton to fullback Jeff Bynum to give the Tigers a 17-10 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, the Trojans bobbled the ball and it was recovered by the Tigers’ Rod Brown. Three consecutive rushes by Crawford gained the Tigers their fi 184 HISTORY schools. This was not the case in 1996. Several weeks weeks Several 1996. in case the not was This schools. other for football college their play to city the leave to chosen had Memphis from players star the of many past, the In recruits. priority as area Memphis the in players top the of most targeted and trail recruiting the on out set staff coaching The period. recruiting the in accomplished was the on occurred what for much so not ``` Memphis. in WLMT-TV on and SportSouth on games football Tiger all televise would that adeal announced also Tigers the addition, In tion. na- of the overmost football conference featured which Network Sports Liberty with package television million a bygaining enhanced further was C-USA future. near the in members possible as Florida South Louisville, and Birmingham at Alabama Memphis, with members playing ball featured foot- as Houston Tulane and Miss, Southern Cincinnati, conference all-sports new, of been had USA Conference that announced was it when boost amajor received program ``` coordinator. recruiting and coach end tight as named was Marshall and coach, quarterback and coordinator offensive as tabbed was Woods offense. the with work experienced and in come to (Richmond) Marshall Jim and selected Carolina) then Univer- South Scherer and York Jets previous (New Woods Sparky the coaches staff. from backs) Memphis of sity (running Knight Maurice Tennessee Vols. lowing Memphis’ 21-17win overthesixth-ranked Elated Tigerfans teardownthegoalpostsfol- victory. ItwastheTigers’first-everwininOxford. The Tigers’No.1-rankeddefenseswarmedtheOleMissRebelsin1994asMemphiscameawaywitha17-16 On April 24, 1995, the football football Memphis of University the 24,1995, April On The 1996 football season will long be remembered remembered be long will season football 1996 The fi cially formed. The fi eld but for what what for but eld fi ve-year, ve-year, $20 quarter when Jeff Hall connected on a 28-yard a28-yard on connected Hall Jeff when quarter around mid battled teams 14-14. at Both score the tied again which return, acrobatic a95-yard with score UT’s answered Cobb Kevin returner kick Memphis But score. go-ahead the for 13 in plays yards 72 bydriving quarter third the opened half.Tennessee the at score the knot to out yard one- from in sneaked then Anderson Qadry quarterback Memphis line. 1-yard Vols’ the to 76yards it returned and pass aManning intercepted Spann Keith Tigers’ the when the until lead 7-0 their held fi the of mark 3:06 the at run yard afternoon’s the scored Tennessee Hogans. Richard and Tony Williams bysenior led defense outstanding Tigers’ the against Tennessee of Manning by CBS TV, matched Heisman Trophy candidate Peyton carried was which game, The lead. series 15-0 a decided held who Volunteers, Tennessee 6ranked No. the against pitted were Tigers The 65,885. of crowd record-setting afternoon at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium before a ``` history. school in had landed what most called the greatest recruiting class staff his and Scherer scholarships, the on dried had ink the when and effort, recruiting national the Texas joined Players Florida, from California Alabama, and Georgia, Canada. Ontario, Toronto, from back running atop Jack, Academy in Nashville,from Brentwood and from Marcus end adefensive Luttrell, Kevin from commitments gained M Uof the area, Memphis the outside From Scherer. to joined the growing list of high school players Brothers, to commit Christian from end tight astellar Hedgepeth, Teo tailback State All- followed. others Tigers, the with commitments their announcing receiver and quarterback astar such With Memphis. at program football a nationally-recognized build help and Memphis in stay to intentions their nounced Kenton Evans and Damien an- Dodson All-Americans School High Westwood date, signing national the before USA second team as a running back. All-Conference the to named was Freshman Arnold back. running kicker 33rd-ranked nation’s the as season 1998 the completed Tenn., native Lexington, The record. the breaking to route en games rushing 100-yard six had Arnold 1962. in Casinelli Dave late bythe set been 1,016 had yards of record 36-year-old The yards. 1,059 bygaining cord re- rushing single-season Memphis of University the broke Arnold Gerard tailback Junior season. the within encapsuled spots bright several were there but 2-9, of ``` down the goalposts. tore and walls the over poured fans Tiger as seconds 34 the held 21-17. defense and victory Tiger The Memphis kickoff the took to Powers pass to Chris touchdown seal the Anderson Memphis an in culminated which drive 12-play contest, a70-yard, mounted the in left 6:01 With The highlight of the 1996 season came on a sunny asunny on came season 1996 the of highlight The The 1998 football campaign produced a record fi eld until the six minute mark of the fourth fourth the of mark minute six the until eld fi lo Riley of Memphis Central and Reid Reid and Central Memphis of Riley lo fi nal seconds of the fi the of seconds nal rst quarter. Tennessee Tennessee quarter. rst fi rst points on atwo- on points rst fi eld goal. rst half half rst fi nal over Army, Tulane and Cincinnati. The 5-6 mark was was mark 5-6 The Cincinnati. Tulane Army, and over fi the of three won Tigers the Travis Anglin, quarterback byfreshman Led league. the in second for tied season and record USA Conference a4-2 post to on go would Memphis formidable. was edition 1999 the that world football the to proven had Tigers The 16 win. 17- ahard-fought captured and scored Tennessee later Two plays territory. Memphis in deep caught was that pass a “Hail-Mary” launched Tee Martin quarterback UT defense, Tiger bythe sack quarterback down afourth be Tennessee mounted one one mounted Tennessee contest. the in remaining minutes two than less 10 with 16- Tennessee leading itself Mfound Uof the Coutain, Ken to Suber Neil from pass touchdown 82-yard an and the took that Memphis the was it But favorite. a 25-point Volunteers, Tennessee seventh-ranked the on take to With renewed enthusiasm the team for left Knoxville gained their Tigers the State, Mississippi and Miss Ole to losses point three- two After game. the to approach aggressive and anew took defense the staff, the to added Thompson John coordinator defensive new With climb. to start ``` Team. All-Freshman C-USA the to selected was also and kicker USA All-Conference the named was White kicking. in nation the in 18th ranked and 22-of-22 PATs on the season. He 16-of-16 booted kicker soccer-style year. The aperfect have to nation the in kicker only the became Ryan White, a semi- nal four games of the season, including league wins wins league including season, the of games four nal dium versusOleMissonSeptember18,1965. versity ofMemphis. The Tigers openedthesta- Memorial Stadium)asahome Bowl MemorialStadium(thencalledMemphis In 1965,theCityofMemphisconstructedLiberty completing theconcretefacility. in 1947,theWPA addedthehomesidestands, concrete standsonthenorthsideoffi games atCrumpStadium.In1939theWPA built The Tigers continuedtoplayalloftheirhome spent atCrumpStadiuminMidtown. Fairgrounds andthe Half ofthe1937homeseasonwasplayedat on campus. to theFairgroundsStadiumwhilealsoplaying The Tigers movedsomeoftheirhomegames on campus. Games werestillplayedatHodgesFieldand Hodges FieldinMemphis. Tiger gameswereplayedoncampusandat set ofwoodenbleachersonthenorthside. was playedatCrumpStadium,whichhadone wood Park.Duringthe1926season,onegame Games werestillplayedoncampusandatRuss- Elm Park. Tennessee StateNormalSchoolandatRed University ofMemphis,thenknownasWest Games wereplayedonthecampusof The 1999 season saw the fortunes of Tiger football football Tiger of fortunes the saw season 1999 The fi ght to the Vols. After three Ryan White fi White Ryan three After Vols. the to ght THE TIGERS HOMES OF fi rst win of the season over Arkansas State. State. Arkansas over season the of win rst • 1965-present • 1912-1921 • 1937-64 • 1932-35 • 1929-31 • 1922-28 fi nalist for the Lou Groza Award, Award, Groza Lou the for nalist • 1937 • 1936 fi

fi nal drive. On what appeared to to appeared what On drive. nal nal halfoftheyearwas fi fi eld fortheUni- nished the season fi nished the nished eld and fi eld goals eld eld goals eld goals HISTORY 185 rst rst fi nished nished fi Playboy rst time fi . He also was nished out the fi nish by a Tiger fi rst-ever national rank- national rst-ever fi Pro Football Weekly and and ve games of the season on national television. television. national on season the of games ve SI.com West’s Tigers continued to make history in 2004. 2004. in history make to continued Tigers West’s The Tigers placed Williams, Gene Frederic, Wesley mith and on the All-C-USA Quarterback Danny Wimprine was named the Quarterback Danny Wimprine was named the MVP of the 2003 New Orleans Bowl after passing for 254 yards and one touchdown. He finished his career in 2004 with 10,215 yards passing and 81 touchdowns. rst time since Included 1967. in that span were wins over out his four-year career with almost every passing record, throwing for yards 10,215 and touchdowns. 81 Williams continued to rack up honors by the end of the season and was named an All-American by the Associated Press, team, and Danny Wimprine, Jeremy Rone, Tavares Gideon, Marcus West and Albert Means on the second team. Greg Hinds was named to the All-Freshman team, and Williams was named the Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He shared the honor with Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors. Wimprine regular season with wins over East Carolina and USF on the road and headed to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., with an 8-3 record. Memphis faced Bowling Green State in the bowl meeting and dropped to 8-4 on the year witha 52-35 loss to the Falcons. The Falcons were powered by quarterbacks, leading Omar Jacobs, nation’s the of one but the game took a bad turn when All-American tailback DeAngelo Williams left the game in the third quarter with a broken leg. ``` S All-America team and the University began its Heisman campaign for the record-setting back. Tennessee’s Player of by the the TSWA Year and was the Male Amateur Athlete of by the the Tennes- Year see Sports Hall of Fame. In January, he settled a lot of “forgo would NFL he announced his nerves that he when career” to come back to Memphis for his senior season. Months later, Williams was named to the 2005 Memphis’ 9-4 record marked the best team since the 1963 season. ``` The squad opened theseason with a 5-1 record for the fi Ole Miss, Chattanooga, Arkansas State, Houston and MemphisTulane. also enjoyed its ing by the Associated Press when theTigers were listed at No. 25 on September Memphis 12. also played four of its last fi One of the mostmemorable games was oddly enough a loss to then C-USA foe Louisville. The game was played on Thursday night withLee Corso, Chris Fowler and Jill the Arrington. A crowd of ESPN crew of52,384 Kirk fans watched the offensive explosion Herbstreit, as Mem- phis and Louisville put up 105 points on the scoreboard. Louisville, ranked nationally 14th at the time, rolled off to the 56-49 victory. The crowd that supported the Tigers was the11th-largest crowd in school history, but it was also the largest crowd ever to watch Memphis face a non-SEC foe. The following week on ESPN2, the Tigers became bowl eligible for thesecond straight season with a win over Southern Miss at home. It was the ever that Memphis had achieved back-to-back bowl ap- Tigers The history. school in pearances rst bowl appear- fi rst team All-Conference at fi fth in the country in yards per carry fi nale was played in November, the Tigers fi Tommy West started Tommy the 2003 season off signing by For years and years, Tiger fans became accustomed averaging an amazing 6.6 yards per attempt. Memphis All-Conference the on and team players USA four placed four athletes on the C-USA All-Freshman team. Center Jimond Pugh was named in a season. He moved into third place on the Memphis all-time career passingcame to the U of M with incredible prep credentials, led listwith 4,149the nation in average yards per carry yards. for four weeks and Williams,was second in who the nation after games. 11 He completed for tied season the had compiled a record of 8-4 andwere receiving attention from several C-USA bowl representatives. On the night of call the received Memphis University of the 30, November from the New Orleans Bowl extending an invitation to play North in the Texas fourth annual event. The game was December and 16 was played in the Superdome. Without the services of tailbackreceiver Maurice Avery still limping on a bad knee, the DeAngeloTigers Williams rolled into New Orleans with thousands of fans and withand a host wide of media for the school’s center, while teammates Derrick Ballard, Brown Tony second team. the to selected Anglin were Travis and Williams was voted to the All-Freshman squad as was Stephen Gostkowski, John Doucette and O.C. Collins. Collins was also named to two Freshman All-America teams for 2002. members Two of the 2002 Tiger squad were drafted by NFL teams as tackle Wade Smith was taken in the third round by the MiamiDolphins and wide receiver Anglin Travis was picked in the seventh round by the . ``` what he termed therecruit” “the in Tiger history. Hewas referring most to the landing noted andof defensive coordinatorhighly Joe Lee Dunn to take over the renownedsame position for the Tigers. Dunn served as the defen- sive coordinator for Memphis from 1989 through 1991 and left to take over similar spots at Ole Miss, Arkansas and Mississippi State, wherehe worked for seven seasons under Jackie Sherrill. ``` to always saying... “wait until next year” as the college football season wound down to a close. But the 2003 season became thata bowl victory “next in New Orleans. After a season-opening year,” as Memphiswin over Tennessee the Tech, Tigers surprised everyone closed withby knocking off Heisman candidate Trophy Eli Manning and his Ole Miss Rebel team 44-34 before a national television audience. As the season progressed, victories Houston, Tulane, Conference foes came against USA East Carolina, Louisville and Cincinnati and when the season regular ance in 32 years. Riding the arm of quarterback Danny Wimprine, a New Orleans native, the Tigers dominated the Mean Green and came victory. away with It a 27-17 would be Conference only USA’s bowl win of the 2003 season and pushed the Tigers’ all-time bowl record to 3-0. Wimprine was named the MVP of the New Orleans Bowl and weeks later, head coach West Tommy was voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Coach of the Year. nal nal fi nal four seconds of S fi rst six contests. Led rst in rushing defense. rst in nish. Freshman quarterback Freshman nish. Danny nished the season with a record of 3-9. of record a with season the nished ve scoring strikes. When the season fi 2000 rst four games and four of the fi fi The 2001 football season was one of promise and The Tiger football team fell short of their intended It started with so much promise but due to a number The scoreboard indicates the final outcome of the 1996 Memphis vs. Tennessee game that was televised by the final outcome of the 1996 Memphis vs. Tennessee The scoreboard indicates Vols was voted the Upset of the Year in college football CBS-TV. The Tigers’ dramatic upset of the sixth-ranked Award for his acrobatic kickoff return for a touchdown. and the Tigers’ Kevin Cobb received an ESPN Espy fth in total defense and fi ve games of the season, and on November 20, Scherer of injuries, key the 2000 season collapsed in the later stages and forced the U of M to take drastic measures. Posting a record Rip Scherer of 4-7, wasrelieved of duties after six seasons as the Memphis head football coach. TheTigers opened the season winning three of the ``` improvement as the Tigers turned their “spread” offense into an exciting brand of football that found the youthful squad battling for a bowl bid until the a in completions pass most game, a ended, in the New Orleans native had set records for most attempts pass game, most touchdown passes in a game, pass attempts in a season, most pass completions in a season, most yards passing in a season and most touchdown passes ``` However, numerousquarterback individual Danny Wimprine rewrote the passing record records every- tailback freshman DeAngelo let book, and Williams fell as sophomoreone know that he was the Tigers’ back of the future. Wim- prine broke the Memphis record for touchdown passes in a single game in the season opener against Murray State fi tossed he when before the late season swoon. With injuries knocking knocking injuries With swoon. by three quarterbacks, Memphis claimed wins over Loui- season siana-Monroe, late Arkansas State, Army the and East Carolina before out AnglinTravis and Neil Suber, the Tigers were forced to turn to inexperienced backups. The team lost its fi was dismissed. A search began immediately for his replacement, and it took just days 10 for the university to hire West, Tommy the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, as its head 21st coach. West coordinated the Memphis defense in 2000 and led his unit to a national ranking of fi the last game of the season. Under West’s Tommy direc- Army, Houston, as schools such defeated Tigers the tion, South Florida and Conference USA power Southern Miss en route to a 5-6 fi Wimprine threw for a freshman record 1,329 yards and touchdowns14 and junior tailback Dante Brown rushed for 902 touchdowns. yards and 11 Brown set a Memphis over win scoring the rushing touchdowns in record four by Houston and his 902 yards rank as the sixth-highest total Memphis history. in ``` goals in 2002 and the best record under head coach Rip Scherer since his arrival and caused the Memphis administration to extend his contract through the 2004 season. Six new assistant coaches were added to the staffin the spring of 2000, including West, Tommy Tim Walton, Jimmy Kiser, Clay Helton, Rick Mallory and Rick Whitt. 186 HISTORY of the season, and Williams Williams and season, the of fi in wins to Tigers the led Avery ``` quarterback. to moved Avery Maurice receiver senior leading and shoulders his on team the took Williams –DeAngelo key moves two Tommy made West coach head point that At road. the on UCF to aloss in offense much-needed generate to UTEP, struggled but then-undefeated over victory upset an to Memphis led Billyto freshman Bare true turned then Tigers The injury. aknee suffered who lips, Phil- Rubio end defensive senior was so but one, game in sidelined Byrne was only not And, season. his ended that leg abroken suffered Tulsa, Hudgens against season the of game third the in late but victory, to Tigers the led and Chattanooga against started Hudgens center. under Will Hudgens freshman had toand take redshirt over season, the for lost was Byrne Miss. Ole against series Memphis’ on leg abroken suffered Byrne the In injuries. knee to Van Houston lineman defensive and Pratcher Mario receiver veteran lost Memphis season, the of start the to Prior campaign. awinning to route en adversity of share their overcame Tigers the as effort, team byatotal but player, one just of complishments ``` spotlight. national the gained Tigers Memphis the and Williams as purpose, its served promotion The games. home Tiger all at appeared and donated was car race afull-size eventually and accomplishments, liams’ Wil- noting built, was Awebsite days. three just in fans by bought were cars 2,500 approximately that fact the was notable most but media, national and regional local, to mailed were cars 1,000 Nearly scheme. paint special a with cars die-cast 1:24 scale included that promotion Heisman” the for “Race own his had Williams DeAngelo summer, of end the By –NASCAR. favorite South deep another with football college that matched campaign year the as history in down went season 2005 he of Relations Media letic Ath- The candidate. Heisman alegitimate had Tigers the ``` NCAA’s leader in rushing yards per game. Williams also also Williams game. per yards rushing in leader NCAA’s pose yards. his careerastheNCAA’sall-timeleaderinall-pur- rushing touchdownswith22in2004.Hefinished All-American DeAngeloWilliamsledthenationin fi The personnel changes proved to be successful as as successful be to proved changes personnel The ac- bythe marked not was season 2005 the But, T rst game of the season, starting quarterback Patrick Patrick quarterback starting season, the of game rst fi ce launched a highly-publicized ahighly-publicized launched ce fi eld at quarterback. Barefi eld at quarterback. fi nished the season as the the as season the nished ve of the last seven games games seven last the ve of fi rst offensive offensive rst eld as UH booted a booted UH as victory the of short fell Memphis overtime. forced and 20 at game the tied that aTD for yards 80 it ran and ball the fi 24-yard UH’s blocked McDonald Brandon back defensive UM clock, the on remaining minutes two over just With season was against eventual champion Houston. C-USA ``` two kick returns. 118 on logged yards he which in game that after Week the of Player C-USA only Tigers’ the named was berry held UTEP season the in late to improvement marked showed justwhich fi defense UTEP. over Memphis’ victory 38-19 a stunning season ``` Browns. Cleveland the the in selected was He drafted. be to years two in Tiger third the became McDonald Brandon teams. separate picked media and coaches history, league in the Team for as All-C-USA the to named also Brandon Pearce and BlakeRyan Scott, Butler were Gibson, Michael McDonald, Brandon Clayton, Rusty Team. All-Freshman C-USA the to named was Terrell, Reagan kicker andwith Matt defensive lineman Greg showed along He, six. with Calhoun TDs receiving in and 681 with yards Duke receiver receiving in Tigers the guy, leading ago-to as potential his freshman true as though, ``` streak. bowl their snapped and 2-10 record a with year the ended Tigers the game, Tennessee the to prior released was Dunn Lee Joe coordinator fensive constant de- after the struggled that adefense With and lineup changing defense. on 14 and offense on 11 with middle the down split about just were injuries the and ers Of the 25 injuries, 15 were to injuries. starters season-ending or were 11 and potential those game of one start- during the season 25 were Tigers sidelined for at least fact, In chart. depth UM the on havoc wreaked and again ``` of. proud be to something fans phis to throw in the towel, but they persevered and gave Mem- excuse every had Tigers the 2005, In Bowl. All-American the in appeared Goodwell and Bowl; Hula the in played Avery Bowl; Senior the to invited were Gostkowski and Williams addition, In Award. UAW Lineman the received Goodwell Tim linebacker MVP, the while named was and game the in yards 238 for rushed Williams Field. Ford Akron, 38-31, on Dec. 26 in front of over 50,000 fans at defeated and Bowl City Motor the for Detroit to traveled invitation to their third-straight bowl game. The Tigers an received Tigers the players, and staff coaching the of positives. Because of the dedication and determination into negatives the turned Memphis but season, the for ``` Team. All-Freshman C-USA the on landed Jones Maurice receiver and Pearce Brandon lineman Offensive team. second the to named was Gibson Michael Wesley Smith were safety and picked Handy Andrew guard offensive to West, Marcus the end Team. Defensive All-C-USA the to selected were fi Gostkowski, and Williams to addition In Patriots. England New bythe round fourth the in drafted Year was the and of Teams Player Special league’s the selected was Gostkowski while Panthers, Carolina the the in drafted was ultimately and season, third-straight Year the the for of Player Offensive USA C- named was 101. Williams with points the of percent 30 scored also who Gostkowski, Stephen kicker senior without successful been have not could Tigers the 2005, in scoring team’s the of percent 30 over just was which 114 scored points, Williams While yards. rushing in history and became the NCAA’s all-time leader in yards all-purpose eld goal attempt and linebacker Greg Jackson picked up up picked Jackson Greg linebacker and attempt goal eld In 2006 the Tigers struggled as the injury bug struck struck bug injury the as struggled Tigers the 2006 In For the third straight season, the Tigers won their lost were starters eight season, the of end the By Perhaps the most memorable play of the 2006 2006 the of play memorable most the Perhaps The 2006 season wasn’t without its highlights, highlights, its without wasn’t season 2006 The fi in NCAA all-time nished his ranked career fourth fi nale as the U of M traveled to El Paso, Texas Paso, El to for Mtraveled Uof the as nale fi eld goal to win the game, 23-20. game, the win to goal eld ve yards rushing. Michael Grand- Michael rushing. ve yards fi rst team, and punter punter and team, rst ve other Tigers Tigers veother fi fi rst round by round rst fth round by round fth fi rst time time rst

Pasadena Bowl. and representedtheleaguewithawinin1971 three times. The Tigers compileda19-5-0record Billy J.MurphywasnamedtheCoachof Year three times-1968,1969and1971headcoach Memphis Statewontheconferencechampionship State, Cincinnati,DrakeandWest Texas State. as Louisville, Tulsa, WichitaState,North Texas membership. MSUcompetedagainstsuchschools of 18-24-1. prior toWorld War IIandhadaconferencemark State. The Tigers competedforeightseasons Tennessee Tech, UnionUniversityandMurray State, LouisianaCollege,Delta Troy State, The newaffi the SouthernIntercollegiate Athletic Association. in 1934andpromptlyjoinedthemembershipof The Tigers lefttheMississippiValley Conference fi West Tennessee State Teachers Collegehadits championship game. 2005 seasonalsomarked the lina andHoustonin anewly-launchedC-USA. The UTEP, Southern Miss,UAB,Marshall,EastCaro- as Memphisjoined UCF, Rice,SMU, Tulsa, Tulane, Memphis. The leaguetookonanewlookin2005 each yearintheannual AutoZone LibertyBowlin has sixbowlaf joining theleague10yearsago. The conference compiled anoverallC-USA recordof32-45since ing outthe11-member league. The Tigers have in 2001.USFbecameafullmember 2002round- a footballplayingmemberin1999and TCU joined 1997 and Army wasadded in1998.UABbecame a conferencetitle.EastCarolinacameaboardin Southern MissandHoustonin1996toplayfor U ofMalignedwithLouisville,Cincinnati, Tulane, playing leaguesincethe1972seasonwhen The UniversityofMemphisjoineditsfi the Year in1990. Danton BartowasnamedtheDefensivePlayerof stars onthevarious All-Metro teamsandlinebacker each footballseason. The Tigers placed60football select an All- teamattheendof not playforaconferencechampionshipbutdid cinnati, Tulane andSouthern Miss. The teamsdid State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Louisville,Cin- began playingwithsuchnotedteamsasFlorida Memphis joinedtheMetroConferencein1980and Despite competingasanindependentinfootball, and forafi the Tigers joinedtheMissouriValley Conference tion soughttoalignitselfwithsimilarschools.In1968 As MemphisStategrewinnationalstaturetheinstitu- overall recordof19-6-3. Conference forsevenseasonsandcompiledan Memphis competedintheMississippiValley Lambuth College,andLittleRockCollege. College, DeltaStateMurrayNormal, joined withUT-Martin JC,Sun then West Tennessee State Teachers College, the MississippiValley Conference. Memphis, when thefl rst conferenceaffi ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION•1935-1942 AFFILIATIONS CONFERENCE USA•1996-Present CONFERENCE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY•1928-1934 MISSOURI VALLEY•1968-1972 SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ve-year perioddominatedthefootball edgling institutionwasamemberof METRO •1980-1992 liation unitedMiddle Tennessee fi liations withthechampionplaying liation during the 1928 season liation duringthe1928season fi rst yearforaleague fl ower JC,Bethel rt football rst