University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Tennessee
Tigers Unsuccessful in Knoxville, 56-28
Nov 07, 2009 | Football
Nov. 7, 2009
Final Stats |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 
By Joshua R. Wilkins
Graduate Assistant
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Despite some second half offensive digging, Memphis never quite found its way out of a 49-7 hole in Knoxville. As a result, Memphis fell to its second Southeastern Conference opponent this season 56-28.
The loss drops the Tigers to 2-7 on the season, 1-4 in Conference USA play. Memphis is now 1-21 all-time against the Vols.
Just more than two minutes into the game, Tennessee freshman Bryce Brown leaped into the end zone from one yard away to put the Vols in front. Daniel Lincoln's PAT made the score 7-0 with 12.56 left in the first.
After a Memphis three-and-out, Tennessee scored again on a 17-yard pass from Jonathan Crompton to Gerald Jones with 9:32 left in the first.
Memphis would drive into Volunteer territory on the next drive before a sack of quarterback Tiger quarterback Will Hudgens by Christian Brothers High School alum Chris Walker on third-and-two ended the drive.
With 11:11 to play in the half, Crompton threw his second touchdown pass, a 23-yard strike to Luke Stocker. After Chris Hobbs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Tennessee would score again with 8:57 to play in the half when Crompton threw a score to Quentin Hancock from the four. Another Lincoln PAT made the score 28-0.
Memphis botched a key first-half scoring chance after the Tigers took over at the Vol 27-yard line. Volunteer Dennis Rogan fumbled a Matt Reagan punt, and Duke Calhoun recovered the ball for Memphis at the Tennessee 27-yard line. However, three plays later Eric Berry intercepted Hudgens to give Tennessee the ball back.
At 2:19 in the second, Crompton's fourth touchdown strike landed in the hands of Nu'keese Richardson making the tally 35-0.
Memphis would get on the board with an 88-yard drive, which was capped off by Marcus Hightower's 36-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left.
The final first-half score came with four seconds left, when Tennessee extended their lead with a one-yard Crompton touchdown run.
After Tennessee scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Crompton to Denarius Moore, Memphis would score their second touchdown of the game after a 15-play 84-yard drive finished by Curtis Steele's one-yard touchdown. Reagan's PAT made the score 49-14.
Steele, who finished with 144 rushing yards on 21 carries, added another touchdown with 3:53 left in the third from three yards out. The senior from Franklin, Tenn. moved into eighth place all-time on the Tigers' rushing list after passing both Jeff Womack (1982-86) and Wayne Pryor (1986-89).
Tennessee extended their lead briefly with another touchdown pass from Crompton to Moore, but the Tigers countered with a 74-yard drive, which Hudgens finished with a one-yard touchdown run.
Lavarius Edwards did add a late interception for the Tiger defense.
Memphis' 28-point output was the most an opposing team has scored on the Vols in 2009.
The Tigers return to action at 12 noon next Saturday when they host Alabama-Birmingham at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for Senior Day.
