University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Marshall
Marshall Trips Memphis, 17-16
Sep 13, 2008 | Football
Sept. 13, 2008
Final Stats | Quotes | Notes
Final Stats | Notes
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The Memphis Tigers struggled to gain momentum against Marshall and dropped a 17-16 decision before a crowd of 27,349 at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, W.Va.
The Tigers outgained Marshall in total yards (462-403) and passing yards (368-224) and also won the first down battle (26-16). Memphis narrowly won the time of possession for the game (30:57-29:03), but almost had a five-minute edge in that category after three quarters of play (24:56-20:04).
Despite winning those statistical categories, the Tigers were unable to get the victory and fell to 0-3 on the year for the first time since 1998. The loss also drops the Tigers to 0-2 in Conference USA.
While Memphis controlled the ball when on offense, the Tigers were unable to keep Thundering Herd running back Darius Marshall in check. The sophomore piled up 140 yards on 27 carries and scored the game's first touchdown on a 40-yard scamper in the first quarter.
Memphis countered with another outstanding performance from junior college transfer quarterback Arkelon Hall. Playing in only his third NCAA Division I game, Hall was 28-of-51 passing for 364 yards. It was his second-straight 350-yard passing game in as many weeks (373 yards versus Rice in the previous game).
Hall's favorite target was Carlos Singleton, who pulled in a career-high 11 catches for 158 yards. The 11 receptions were the second-most for a single game in Tiger history, while the 158 yards were the eighth-most for a game in school history. With the Thundering Herd leading 10-3 at the intermission, Memphis opened the second half on a mission. The Tigers scored on consecutive drives to a take a 13-10 advantage with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
Memphis' opening second-half drive began on its own 20. Fifteen plays and 74 yards later, the Tigers got a 22-yard field goal from Matt Reagan to cut the Marshall lead to 10-6.
The Memphis defense then stepped up. The Tigers forced a Marshall punt on its first possession of the second half, and the Memphis offense was back in business at its own 44.
On the strength of Hall's arm, the Tigers moved the ball into the red zone, where Will Hudgens took over. After a Hudgens run moved the ball to inside the Marshall 5, the redshirt senior let his arm do the rest. On the next play, Hudgens hit Earnest Williams from four yards out to give Memphis its first lead of the game at 13-10. The scoring drive was nine plays -- the Tigers' shortest of the game -- and the Memphis' two scores in the third quarter took nearly eight minutes off the clock. The Thundering Herd, though, was not finished. After their first two scores came on quick strikes, Marshall took its time for the final score. The Thundering Herd held the ball for nearly five minutes and drove 71 yards on 10 plays. The final play of the drive was a Mark Cann 18-yard pass to Darius Passmore in the corner of the end zone. The score reclaimed the lead for Marshall at 17-13 heading into the final period.
After an exchange of punts, the Tigers got the ball on their own 12 with over 11 minutes left. Memphis methodically moved down the field into the red zone again. The drive, though, stalled at the Marshall 8, and the Tigers got a 25-yard field goal from Reagan to cut the Thundering Herd advantage to 17-16.
The Tigers got one more shot at the win, but started the drive at their own 1 after Marshall special teams downed a pooch-punt just before the goal line. On a 3rd-and-10 from the 1, Hall kept the drive alive when he found Singleton near midfield. The Tigers, however, were unable to move the ball further and turned the ball over on downs, ending hopes of a comeback victory.
In addition to Singleton, Duke Calhoun (5 receptions for 72 yards) and Maurice Jones (4 receptions for 83 yards) had solid performances. Charlie Jones was the leading rusher for Memphis with 47 yards.
Cann was 14-of-28 passing for 224 yards for Marshall. Passmore was the Thundering Herd's top receiver with six catches for 128 yards.
D.A. Griffin (9 tackles) and Winston Bowens (8 tackles) paced the Tiger defense. Maurice Kitchens led Marshall with 12 tackles and one sack.
