Postgame Notes

Sept. 4, 2004

Two true freshmen made their debut in the opening kick off as Jake Kasser (Germantown HS) and Rod Smith (Milan HS) entered the game.

Maurice Avery's 55-yard reception in the first quarter that set up the 10-yard touchdown by DeAngelo Williams, tied Avery's career long reception. In 2003, Avery caught 55-yard passes against Houston and Louisville, and added a 51-yard reception in the Memphis win over East Carolina.

DeAngelo Williams scored the Tigers' first touchdown of the 2004 season (2:46 1st Quarter). He now has 16 career rushing touchdowns.

The Tigers' first turnover came on a Danny Wimprine interception late in the first quarter.

Stephen Gostkowski, a Lou Groza candidate for 2004, connected on his first field goal attempt of the season when his 39-yard kick sailed through the uprights. It was his 29th career field goal made in 44 career attempts. In the third quarter, the junior from Brandon, Miss., connected on a 45-yard field goal, which tied his longest field goal made since booting a 45 yarder against South Florida last season.

Several Tiger players made their debut in today's game, including Jamarcus Gaither, Tyus Jackson, Rubio Phillips, Van Houston, Carlton Baker, Abraham Holloway and Dustin Lopez.

Danny Wimprine passed for 266 yards today, marking the ninth time in the last 11 games that the New Orleans native had passed for over 200 yards.

DeAngelo Williams' 118 yards rushing today marked the 11th straight 100 yard rushing game for the speedy back. Williams, who holds the U of M career record, now totals 15 100-yard rushing games. Williams also tallied a new career high with 37 carries. His previous high was 29 carries for 137 yards against East Carolina in 2003.

In his first game back since sitting out the 2003 season with a knee injury, Tavares Gideon gave Memphis a 20-6 fourth quarter lead when he hauled in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Danny Wimprine. It was Gideon's ninth career touchdown reception as a Tiger. He has caught touchdown passes in nine of the 13 games that he has played.

Danny Wimprine threw his first touchdown pass of the season, connecting with Tavares Gideon in the fourth quarter of tonight's game. It was Wimprine's 60th career touchdown pass, which continues to build Wimprine's touchdown toss record.

Senior receiver Chris Kelley had one of his best games in a Tiger uniform against the Rebels. The senior totaled a career-tying three receptions in tonight's game. His 73 yards receiving was also a career high. His previous best was the 65 yards he totaled against Cincinnati last year.

Tim Goodwell's sack with just over two minutes left in the game was his first career sack. The junior took Micheal Spurlock 22 yards back and gave Memphis a boost near the end of the game.

Memphis' 20-13 win over the Rebels marked just the second time that the Tigers had won in Oxford. It was the second time in the last two meetings that Memphis had come out on the winning end against Ole Miss. The only other time that Memphis had won at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was a 17-16 victory 10 years ago.

Memphis has now won its season opener in the last three straight. Under Coach Tommy West, Memphis is 3-1 in season openers. Prior to tonight, the last time that Memphis had won a season-road opener was at Mississippi State in 1993.

University of Memphis Athletics

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