Memphis-FAU New Orleans Bowl Post-Game Notes

Dec 21, 2007 | Football

Dec. 21, 2007

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2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
Memphis vs Florida Atlantic
New Orleans, Louisiana
December 21, 2007

MEMPHIS NOTES

 With the loss, Memphis is now 4-2 in bowl games.

 Tight end Brett Russell caught his second touchdown pass of the season on an eight-yard strike from Martin Hankins with 9:20 remaining in the first quarter. Hankins was 5-for-5 on that drive. Russell ended the day with a season-high 45 yards on four receptions.

 Carlos Singleton caught a 16-yard pass in the first quarter to extend his receiving streak to 21 games. Later in the second quarter, Singleton was on the receiving end of a 41-yard toss from Martin Hankins. The reception was Singleton's 12th reception over 20 yards this season and the pass was Hankins' 18th over 40 yards in 2007. Singleton ended the game with four catches for a team high 63 yards.

 Sophomore receiver Duke Calhoun caught a three-yard pass in the second quarter to extend his receiving streak to 24 games. He has caught a pass in each of his 24 career games. The 24-game streak ties for third all-time in the Memphis record book. He is tied with Darron White (2001-04). The Memphis school record is 27 games by Russell Copeland (1989-92). Calhoun finished with four catches for 40 yards.

 Senior kicker Joey Mack booted a 38-yard field goal with 12:12 left in the second quarter. It was only Mack's second attempt of the season as his first attempt versus UCF was blocked. The 38-yard FG tied a season high for the Tigers as Matt Reagan hit a 38 yarder vs UAB. Mack also connected on a 35 yarder in the second quarter marking the third straight game that a Memphis kicker has hit two 30-yard kicks. Mack came in for Matt Reagan who appeared to be injured on a tackle he made on a kickoff. He finished with eight points in the game.

 Quarterback Martin Hankins entered the game needing only 61 yards passing to hit the 3,000-yard milestone. He completed his first five straight passes for 53 yards and hit 61 on the seventh completion, which was a 15-yard strike to Brett Russell with five minutes left in the first quarter. Hankins is only the second Tiger in school history to amass 3,000 yards passing. The other was Danny Wimprine (2001-04) who was the 2003 New Orleans Bowl MVP.

 Earnest Williams caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Hankins with just under a minute to play in the second quarter. This is Williams' fifth receiving touchdown of the season and the eighth of his career. He has scored in four of the last six games. The PAT made by Joey Mack was the first of his career.

 Clinton McDonald sacked Rusty Smith for a loss of eight yards on the final play of the second quarter for his fourth sack of the season. It was his third sack in the last four games.

 Michael Grandberry tallied eight kickoff returns for 153 yards, marking his sixth 100-yard return game this season and the eighth of his career. The 153 yards and eight returns are both bowl records for the Tigers.

 Redshirt freshman tight end Deven Ornarheim caught his first reception of his career on a 10-yard strike from Hankins in the third quarter.

 Carlos Singleton caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Hankins with 9:30 left in the third quarter for the 11th TD reception of the season and the 14th of his career. He is now tied for second with Tavares Gideon in TD catches in a single season. The record is 12 by Bill Robertson set during the 1950 season.

 Senior quarterback Martin Hankins played his 23rd career game as a Tiger today. He left the game just prior to the start of the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a knee injury. He finished the game with 281 yards off 25 of 39 passing. He tossed three touchdowns today and marked the sixth game this season he has registered three or more touchdowns passing. With his 281 yards today, he finishes the 2007 season with 3,220 yards which is the all-time single-season record for Memphis. He surpassed Danny Wimprine who totaled 3,174 yards in 13 games in 2003. In addition, Hankins now holds the single-season marks for completions (261) and touchdowns (25). He finished third all-time in attempts in a season with 428.

 Brent Sutherland's punt was blocked in the third quarter and led to a touchdown by FAU to give the Owls the 37-27 advantage. It was the third punt blocked for the Tigers this season.

 Several Tigers left today's games with injuries. Both receiver Maurice Jones and running back T.J. Pitts were carted off the field. Pitts left with 7:01 left in the first quarter and Jones left the game with 13:22 remaining in the second quarter. Quarterback Martin Hankins left with just over a minute left in the third quarter.

 Martin Hankins spent the fourth quarter on crutches with an apparent knee injury. For his career, he totals 5,770 yards, 43 touchdowns, 487 completions and 805 attempts. All of those marks are good for second all-time behind Danny Wimprine.

 Backup QB Will Hudgens came in and finished the game with one for five passing and had 10 yards rushing on six attempts.

 LeRico Mathis picked off FAU quarterback Rusty Smith on Memphis eight yard line and returned it 34 yards for the third interception of the season for Mathis. The three interceptions now ties Brandon Patterson for the team lead in interceptions this year.

 Brent Sutherland had a career high 70-yard punt in the fourth quarter. It was his second 50+ yard punt in the game. The 70 yards is a New Orleans Bowl record and ranks tied for fifth in Memphis history. Roland Eveland holds the Memphis record with an 85-yard punt in 1950. Sutherland has six punts over 50 yards this season.