University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Smith
Team Elliott Defeats Team Williams In Friday Night Stripes
Apr 14, 2018 | Football
Defense shines in game as it has all spring.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Two-time American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year.
American Athletic Conference champion.
NFL Draft pick. Super Bowl champion.
Now, add winning coach in the University of Memphis football's Friday Night Stripes, the Tigers' annual spring game.
Former place-kicker Jake Elliott guided his squad to a 7-3 come-from-behind victory over Team DeAngelo Williams before an estimated crowd of over 10,000 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Friday night.
The two former All-Americans squared off in the third and final period of Friday's intra-squad game, after the Tigers ran through two 12-minute timed quarters.
After Team Elliott's first drive stalled, Team Williams – coached by the three-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and top-five NCAA career all-purpose yardage performer – got on the board first on the strength of a Riley Patterson 50-yard field goal.
Team Elliott was driving on its second possession, but a Khalil Johnson interception and 43-yard return set up Team Williams with a short field. Team Williams, though, did not take advantage of the turnover and lost the ball on downs inside the 10-yard line. Team Williams decided to go for the first down on a 4th-and-4 instead of kicking a second field goal.
On its final possession, Team Elliott drove inside the 20-yard line and later scored on a Connor Adair-to-Antonio Gibson 14-yard strike. Patterson added the PAT for the 7-3 lead.
Team Williams' final drive took the ball inside the 15-yard line, but Team Elliott held on with key defensive stops for the 7-3 final. Team Elliott halted Team Williams with a sack on the game's final play.
In the first two timed periods, the defense shined as it has all spring. The Tigers defense registered over 15 TFL and six sacks and added several passes defensed, including an interception. Joseph Dorceus (five TFL) and Emmanuel Cooper (4 TFL) paced the Memphis defense. Johnson added a pass defensed to his interception.
The offense mustered two touchdowns – a David Moore-to-Gibson eight-yard score and a Patrick Taylor rush – and one Patterson field goal in the opening two periods.
Moore led the Tigers quarterbacks with 10-of-13 passing for 90 yards and one touchdown toss. Brady White was 8-of-14 for 102 yards. Gibson and Mechane Slade each grabbed a game-high six receptions, and Gibson led all receivers with 68 yards and two scores.
Patrick Taylor (6 rushes/35 yards/TD) and Tim Taylor (12 rushes/40 yards) led the ground attack.
Memphis wraps up its spring drills with a final practice session Tuesday.
Season tickets for the 2018 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased by going online at gotigersgotix.com or calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 678-2331. The Tigers host seven home games at the Liberty Bowl, including the Sept. 1 season opener versus Mercer.
American Athletic Conference champion.
NFL Draft pick. Super Bowl champion.
Now, add winning coach in the University of Memphis football's Friday Night Stripes, the Tigers' annual spring game.
Former place-kicker Jake Elliott guided his squad to a 7-3 come-from-behind victory over Team DeAngelo Williams before an estimated crowd of over 10,000 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Friday night.
The two former All-Americans squared off in the third and final period of Friday's intra-squad game, after the Tigers ran through two 12-minute timed quarters.
After Team Elliott's first drive stalled, Team Williams – coached by the three-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and top-five NCAA career all-purpose yardage performer – got on the board first on the strength of a Riley Patterson 50-yard field goal.
Team Elliott was driving on its second possession, but a Khalil Johnson interception and 43-yard return set up Team Williams with a short field. Team Williams, though, did not take advantage of the turnover and lost the ball on downs inside the 10-yard line. Team Williams decided to go for the first down on a 4th-and-4 instead of kicking a second field goal.
On its final possession, Team Elliott drove inside the 20-yard line and later scored on a Connor Adair-to-Antonio Gibson 14-yard strike. Patterson added the PAT for the 7-3 lead.
Team Williams' final drive took the ball inside the 15-yard line, but Team Elliott held on with key defensive stops for the 7-3 final. Team Elliott halted Team Williams with a sack on the game's final play.
In the first two timed periods, the defense shined as it has all spring. The Tigers defense registered over 15 TFL and six sacks and added several passes defensed, including an interception. Joseph Dorceus (five TFL) and Emmanuel Cooper (4 TFL) paced the Memphis defense. Johnson added a pass defensed to his interception.
The offense mustered two touchdowns – a David Moore-to-Gibson eight-yard score and a Patrick Taylor rush – and one Patterson field goal in the opening two periods.
Moore led the Tigers quarterbacks with 10-of-13 passing for 90 yards and one touchdown toss. Brady White was 8-of-14 for 102 yards. Gibson and Mechane Slade each grabbed a game-high six receptions, and Gibson led all receivers with 68 yards and two scores.
Patrick Taylor (6 rushes/35 yards/TD) and Tim Taylor (12 rushes/40 yards) led the ground attack.
Memphis wraps up its spring drills with a final practice session Tuesday.
Season tickets for the 2018 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased by going online at gotigersgotix.com or calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 678-2331. The Tigers host seven home games at the Liberty Bowl, including the Sept. 1 season opener versus Mercer.
Players Mentioned
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