University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: UofM Athletic Media Relations
Offense Adds Highlights in Second Scrimmage
Apr 09, 2016 | Football
Tigers travel to Nashville to prep for road games.
Video From Nashville Scrimmage | Mike Norvell Post Practice Interview
MEMPHIS – The Memphis football team's second scrimmage of the spring schedule had a new format and a new environment. But head coach Mike Norvell got to see his team in a game format, playing a full half with a game clock.
"It was a good day. We got to play a little bit more than a half of football," Norvell said. "We got to see what I was hoping for. It was really back and forth. The offense goes down in the first series and scores a touchdown. The defense responded and really stalemated them there for the better half of the quarter and there towards the end of the first half, the offense responded again and was able to score a couple more times. "
Riley Ferguson guided Memphis on an opening scrimmage scoring drive, capping the six-play drive with a touchdown pass to Phil Mayhue. The defense then recorded a sack and got stops on the next two possessions before Jake Elliott converted the first of two field goals.
The defense then went seven possessions without allowing any points on the board, recording five sacks, two pass breaks ups and a quarterback hurry before another Elliott field goal capped an eight play drive to end the first half.
After some special teams work, the Tigers also did work overtime situations, scoring touchdowns in each of the three practice periods, including a 25-yard run from freshman running back Darrell Henderson and touchdowns from Anthony Miller and Doroland Dorceus.
"I was pleased with the guys' energy level. Any time you go on the road, you can't predict what the circumstances are going to be. You can't predict what the weather's going be, what the crowd's going to be, you've got to control your own intensity."
The Nashville trip allowed the Tigers to see what the pre-game routine will be like under Norvell. Memphis rolled up to Father Ryan High School to a sea of Tiger fans that was about 500 strong.
"It was great," Norvell said. "We pulled up on the bus and we saw a tunnel of blue and that was fun and we got a chance to visit with some of our fans here at the tailgate area. We really appreciate everybody here in Nashville and everybody from Memphis who drove over to see their Tigers. I think our guys definitely have a wonderful appreciation for everybody who was in the stands today and we're going to continue to go to work."
The practice was session number nine of 15 for Memphis in its spring schedule. The Friday Night Lights Spring Game is technically practice number 15, so Memphis hits the last half of the schedule next week with just five sessions left.
"I'm pleased with our progress," Norvell said. "We just need to progress each and every day. We have five more practices to go out and get work days in, so we're looking forward to those."
The Memphis spring game, dubbed Friday Night Stripes, will be played Friday, April 22nd beginning at 7 p.m. The Tiger walk will begin at 6 p.m. and the pre-block party festivities will include a Tiger equipment sale and Tiger Lane activities.
MEMPHIS – The Memphis football team's second scrimmage of the spring schedule had a new format and a new environment. But head coach Mike Norvell got to see his team in a game format, playing a full half with a game clock.
"It was a good day. We got to play a little bit more than a half of football," Norvell said. "We got to see what I was hoping for. It was really back and forth. The offense goes down in the first series and scores a touchdown. The defense responded and really stalemated them there for the better half of the quarter and there towards the end of the first half, the offense responded again and was able to score a couple more times. "
Riley Ferguson guided Memphis on an opening scrimmage scoring drive, capping the six-play drive with a touchdown pass to Phil Mayhue. The defense then recorded a sack and got stops on the next two possessions before Jake Elliott converted the first of two field goals.
The defense then went seven possessions without allowing any points on the board, recording five sacks, two pass breaks ups and a quarterback hurry before another Elliott field goal capped an eight play drive to end the first half.
After some special teams work, the Tigers also did work overtime situations, scoring touchdowns in each of the three practice periods, including a 25-yard run from freshman running back Darrell Henderson and touchdowns from Anthony Miller and Doroland Dorceus.
"I was pleased with the guys' energy level. Any time you go on the road, you can't predict what the circumstances are going to be. You can't predict what the weather's going be, what the crowd's going to be, you've got to control your own intensity."
The Nashville trip allowed the Tigers to see what the pre-game routine will be like under Norvell. Memphis rolled up to Father Ryan High School to a sea of Tiger fans that was about 500 strong.
"It was great," Norvell said. "We pulled up on the bus and we saw a tunnel of blue and that was fun and we got a chance to visit with some of our fans here at the tailgate area. We really appreciate everybody here in Nashville and everybody from Memphis who drove over to see their Tigers. I think our guys definitely have a wonderful appreciation for everybody who was in the stands today and we're going to continue to go to work."
The practice was session number nine of 15 for Memphis in its spring schedule. The Friday Night Lights Spring Game is technically practice number 15, so Memphis hits the last half of the schedule next week with just five sessions left.
"I'm pleased with our progress," Norvell said. "We just need to progress each and every day. We have five more practices to go out and get work days in, so we're looking forward to those."
The Memphis spring game, dubbed Friday Night Stripes, will be played Friday, April 22nd beginning at 7 p.m. The Tiger walk will begin at 6 p.m. and the pre-block party festivities will include a Tiger equipment sale and Tiger Lane activities.
Players Mentioned
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