Tiger Post-Game Notes

Sep 16, 2006 | Football

Sept. 16, 2006

MEMPHIS FOOTBALL NOTES
Sept. 16, 2006 vs. East Carolina

 Heath Grant sacked James Pinkney for a loss of eight yards in the first quarter. It was Grant's first sack of the year, and his third career sack.

 Quarterback Martin Hankins reached receiver Earnest Williams on a 19-yard pass for the touchdown and the first score of the game. It was Williams' second touchdown catch of the year. He had his first career touchdown catch against Chattanooga last weekend.

 True freshman kicker Matt Reagan converted his first extra point attempt following the Hankins to Williams touchdown. Reagan is the fifth Tiger true freshman to see action this season (Calhoun, Thomas, Weaver, Turner). Reagan later missed a PAT in the second quarter and finished the day two-for-three.

 For the third straight week, a Memphis receiver registered a pass completion. QB Martin Hankins tossed a lateral to Ryan Scott who then threw a 31-yard pass back to Hankins. Receivers Dave Thomas and Mario Pratcher have also thrown passes this year.

 Senior Sam Brewer had his first start of the season tonight. Brewer, a defensive back, started at linebacker against ECU.

 Brandon Patterson recovered an East Carolina fumble on the Memphis 2-yard line late in the first quarter. It was Patterson's first career fumble recovery, and it was also the first forced fumble of the year for the Tiger defense. Senior free safety Wesley Smith was credited with the forced fumble. The fumble ultimately led to a 14-play, 98-yard drive that resulted in a Tiger touchdown.

 Sophomore receiver Antonio McCoy caught a career-high five passes today for 34 yards. McCoy's previous high was two against Southern Miss last season.

 True freshman receiver Duke Calhoun caught his first career touchdown pass on a 23-yard toss from Martin Hankins early in the second quarter. The play was reviewed and the touchdown call remained.

 Junior running back Joseph Doss caught a 22-yard pass from Hankins for his longest pass reception since 2004 when he caught a 58-yard pass against Louisville. Doss also rushed for 99 yards on 23 carries.

 Martin Hankins found Antonio McCoy open up the middle and tossed a 3-yard touchdown pass. The three TDs thrown by Hankins tonight represent a season high for the QB and was the first time since the 2004 GMAC Bowl that a Tiger quarterback had tossed three touchdowns in a single game. The TD grab was the second for McCoy's career as he caught his first career TD in the season opener against Ole Miss. Hankins finished the day having completed 24 of his 45 passes for 265 yards. He was picked off five times tonight. The last time Memphis gave up five interceptions was in 2002 against Mississippi State.

 Brandon Patterson intercepted a James Pinkney pass on the Memphis 16-yard line to stop a scoring threat by the Pirates late in the second quarter. It was Patterson's first pick of the year and his third career interception. The interception led to the 23-yard touchdown catch by Duke Calhoun. Patterson logged a career-high seven tackles in today's meeting.

 In the first half, Hankins passed for 209 yards and three touchdowns. It was the highest total for a Tiger QB since Danny Wimprine passed for 224 yards and three TDs against Bowling Green in the first half of the 2004 GMAC Bowl.

 Senior punter Michael Gibson booted a season-high 51-yard punt in the third quarter. It was Memphis' first punt of the game.

 Junior linebacker Heath Grant recorded his first career interception when he picked off James Pinkney on the Memphis 45-yard line. Grant fumbled the ball on the return, but Quinton McCrary recovered the ball for the Tigers. This was the first time since the Southern Miss game last season that Memphis had tallied two pass interceptions.