www.thememphisnews.com September 1-7, 2017 21 For more local and national news visit www.memphisdailynews.com cover story catches and 1,434 receiving yards. He’s After all, it wasn’t that long ago that got help from Phil Mayhue, who aver- the Tigers were just another nobody team aged 16.1 yards on 42 receptions, senior outside the Power 5 beginning another Roderick Proctor and talented redshirt meaningless season. freshman Damonte Coxie. But it’s Fer- This season could be special. It was guson and Miller that opposing defenses set to start with the Tigers being heavily will try to lock down; they hooked up for favored in the Aug. 31 opener at Liberty 13 TDs a year ago. Bowl Memorial Stadium against Louisi- “I always walk onto the field feeling ana-Monroe (4-8 last year). On Sept. 16, like I’m gonna be the guy,” said Miller, UCLA and highly touted quarterback Josh who originally was a walk-on from Chris- Rosen come to town. tian Brothers High School. “But the thing Weeks ago, with the first kickoff still is, you gotta keep a level head. Don’t just so much anticipation, U of M athletic feed into the awards you’re up for, just director Tom Bowen almost couldn’t con- continue to work and do the things that tain himself: “I’m 56 years old and I get got you here.” excited when camp starts. It’s the best.” It is the required Memphis mindset He might have stopped there, but he amid perhaps the loftiest expectations in didn’t. Bowen not only recognizes the school history. huge expectations, he bear-hugs them “We’re getting the preseason looks and would like all of Memphis to do Starting quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) takes a snap during a scrimmage at the and accolades,” said senior punter Spen- the same. Memphis Tigers practice facility off Park Avenue. (Memphis News/Houston Cofield) cer Smith, “but we’re not putting too “This,” Bowen said with a grin, “is much pressure on ourselves. We’ve gotta gonna be one of the finest seasons we’ve use the stuff we get in our favor.” ever had.” Tommy West guided Memphis to five knows this. bowl games in nine seasons – this featured The Tigers already have lost senior the go-go era of running back DeAngelo wide receiver Sam Craft to a season- Williams and the steady hand of quarter- ending ACL injury. No doubt, there will SCHEDULE DATE TV TIME back Danny Wimprine – but West was be other significant injuries along the way. 2-10 in his last season; then Larry Porter But they are getting back linebacker Aug. 31 vs. Louisiana-Monroe CBSSN 8 p.m. took over and the Tigers went 3-21 in the Jackson Dillon, who missed 2016 because Sept. 9 at UCF ESPNews 7 p.m. 2010-2011 seasons. of knee injuries and then had to fight Sept. 16 vs. UCLA ABC 11 a.m. At that point, some people were asking through what he described as a “danger- Sept. 23 vs. Southern Illinois WMC-TV/ESPN3 7 p.m. if the whole Memphis football enterprise ous” reliance on painkillers during his Sept. 30 at Georgia State TBA TBA was more trouble than it was worth. recovery. Oct. 6 at UConn ESPN 6 p.m. Even Fuente endured 4-8 and 3-9 “I’d just go to them and kinda got car- Oct. 14 vs. Navy TBA TBA seasons before leading the Tigers to a ried away with them and drinking, just Oct. 19 at Houston ESPN 7 p.m. 10-3 mark in 2014 – the Tigers’ first 10- to ease the pain,” Dillon said before fall Oct. 27 vs. Tulane CBSSN 7 p.m. win season since the perfect 10-0 season practice started. “I think the Lord talked Nov. 3 at Tulsa ESPN2 7 p.m. of 1938 under Allyn McKeen. to me or something. One day I just woke Nov. 18 vs. SMU TBA TBA What Fuente did here provided a up and decided I’m done. I wanted to get Nov. 25 vs. East Carolina TBA TBA springboard for him getting the Virginia my self-respect back.” TBA: To Be Announced Tech job. It’s the understood cost of a Dillon, at his best, doesn’t just change coach winning big below the Power 5 a game with his own play. He impacts the level. Now, after just one season, Norvell, team’s attitude and his aggressiveness has 35, is mentioned prominently as a young a ripple effect on the defense. TOP COLLEGE FOOTBALL QB-WR HOOK-UPS coach on the way up and, eventually, out “As a new coach, I might have under- 1. Washington – Jake Browning to Dante Pettis, 15 TDs of Memphis. estimated his importance to this team,” 2. Memphis – Riley Ferguson to Anthony Miller, 13 TDs “I really don’t focus on that,” Norvell Norvell admitted. “You watch him on film 3. Boise State – Brett Rypien to Cedrick Wilson, 11 TDs said when asked how he handles hearing and you see his size (6-6 and 260 pounds) Toledo – Logan Woodside to Cody Thompson, 11 TDs his name bandied about. and the motor he has. But I’d never been But having multiple players on nation- around him every single day. He helps us al watch lists for prestigious awards and establish a mentality for us defensively one of the top quarterback-wide receiver that everybody on that unit has to raise MEMPHIS HEAD COACHES SINCE 1958 combinations in the country with Fergu- their standard (to meet).” son and senior Anthony Miller, Norvell is To be sure, it is the defense that has Billy J. Murphy (1958-1971) 91-44-1 1 bowl appearance all-in on that chatter. more proving to do. Last year’s offense Fred Pancoast (1972-1974) 20-12-1 no bowls “If the country is talking about our averaged 38.8 points per game (14th in Richard Williamson (1975-1980) 31-35-0 no bowls program, that’s a compliment,” he said, the nation) and 463.7 yards per game Rex Dockery (1981-1983) 8-24-1 no bowls adding a caution: “If we get caught up (28th in the country); the defense allowed Rey Dempsey (1984-1985) 7-12-3 no bowls thinking two, three, four steps down the 28.8 points (tied for 68th nationally) and Charlie Bailey (1986-1988) 12-20-1 no bowls road, we might miss the most important 454.6 yards (106th nationally). Chuck Stobart (1989-1994) 29-36-1 no bowls one that’s right in front of us.” While Jonathan Cook, a former Ala- Rip Scherer (1995-2000) 22-44-0 no bowls True enough, the nature of the beast bama player, returns to start at safety Tommy West (2001-2009) 49-61-0 5 bowls is focusing on the present. Every coach and led the team with 88 tackles in 2016, Larry Porter (2010-2011) 3-21-0 no bowls now employs the mantra of going 1-0 he will be joined by three new starters in Justin Fuente (2012-2015) 26-24-0 2 bowls each week. the secondary; the Tigers have high hopes Mike Norvell (2016-…) 8-5-0 1 bowl appearance and counting … Yet this cannot get in the way of plan- for freshman cornerback T.J. Carter. The ning for the future. In fact, a chief reason linebackers should be a strength, but Norvell has ramped up the excitement more production also will be needed from locally is that his 2017 recruiting class the defensive front. UNDEFEATED TEAMS was the highest-rated in program history. The offense, as explosive as it was – 1929: 8-0-2, head coach Zach Curlin “Recruiting matters,” he said. “The and even after Craft’s injury – might be The Tigers’ 10 opponents scored a combined 27 points. Both ties, to Southeast last two classes that we’ve put together, I capable of even more this season. Senior Missouri State and Delta State, were by the score of 0-0. think we’re gonna see what that does for Doroland Dorceus rushed for 810 yards 1938: 10-0-0, head coach Allyn McKeen our depth and newcomers being able to last season and a trio of sophomores Memphis outscored its opponents 281-41 and won by shutout four times. play early. – Tony Pollard, Patrick Taylor and Dar- 1963: 9-0-1, head coach Billy J. Murphy “It’s an exciting time.” rell Henderson – will provide additional Senior fullback Dave Casinelli led the NCAA in rushing with 1,016 yards and in scoring READY TO BE TESTED backfield options. with 84 points, the only Tiger to ever win those titles. Adversity will come. Every team Miller set school records with 95 .