Memphis-SMU Post Game Notes

Nov 08, 2008 | Football

Nov. 8, 2008

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Tiger Football Notes
Vs. SMU
Nov. 8, 2008

 Captains for Memphis were seniors Brandon Pearce, Freddie Barnett and Steven Black.

 Junior receiver Maurice Jones started today's game at quarterback. Brett Toney lined up at receiver for the first play and Jones' first play as signal caller was a hand off to Curtis Steele for a 35-yard gain.

 The Tigers put the first points on the board today with a two-yard touchdown run by Curtis Steele with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter. It was Steele's fifth rushing TD of the season, and he has scored from the run in the last three straight games.

 Brandon Ross scored his first touchdown of the season on a 10-yard run to give Memphis a 14-0 advantage with 2:22 remaining in the first quarter. Ross is the sixth Tiger this season to score from the run.

 Duke Calhoun extended his receiving streak to 34 games with his 13-yard reception in the second quarter. He holds the school record and entered today's game tied for 11th nationally. Calhoun finished the day with one receptions for 13 yards. He ranks third all-time in school history in receptions with 135.

 Curtis Steele logged his 100th yard in today's game on an eight-yard carry in the second quarter with just over three minutes left. He finished today's game with 123 yards on 19 carries for his fifth game over 100 yards this season; and the fifth in seven games. Steele became the fourth Tiger in school history to amass 1,000 yards in a single season on his first rush of the second half for a four-yard gain. He is the first to do so since DeAngelo Williams in 2005. Williams logged three straight 1000-yard seasons (2003-05); Gerard Arnold logged 1,059 yards in 1998; and Dave Casinelli tallied 1,016 yards in 1963.

 Steven Black caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Brett Toney to put Memphis up 21-13 with 6:51 remaining in the third quarter. It was the second TD reception of season for Black, and the third of his career. The TD pass was the second of his career for Toney. Black's cousin Terrell Owens was in attendance on the Memphis sidelines today.

 True freshman Brandon Ross finished today's game with a career-high 22 carries for 111 yards. It is his first career 100-yard rushing game. His previous best in yardage was 46 yards versus UAB. His previous high carries were six versus both UAB and East Carolina.

 Junior transfer Brandon Washington busted off a 35-yard run from a direct snap at the end of the third quarter for a career-best run from scrimmage. His previous best was a 12-yard run against Southern Miss. He finished with 51 yards rushing on five carries.

 Carlos Singleton caught an 18-yard touchdown pass with 12:59 remaining in the game to give Memphis a 28-20 advantage. It was Singleton's fifth TD catch of the season; and the 19th of his career. The 19 TD receptions ties the school record, which was set by Tavares Gideon in two seasons (2002 & 2004).

 With the 18-yard TD pass to Singleton, Brett Toney logged his first multiple passing TD of his career. He now totals three touchdown passes for the year. Toney was nine for 19 for 130 yards in today's game.

 The Tigers amassed 306 yards rushing in today's game for the second straight game over 200 yards. Memphis also rushed for more than 200 yards in consecutive games against Nicholls State and Arkansas State. The 306 yards rushing is the most since Memphis had 351 against Akron in the 2005 Motor City Bowl.

 The Memphis defense held SMU to 38 yards rushing. The Mustangs had rushed for minus six yards on 10 carries through the first three quarters. This was the lowest rushing total for a Memphis opponent since the Tigers held UTEP to five yards in 2006.

 Memphis had two 100-yard rushers in the game for the first time since 2005 when DeAngelo Williams (198) and Maurice Avery (105) did it against Houston. Curtis Steele finished with 19 carries for 123 yards and Brandon Ross had 22 carries for 111 yards.

 Matt Reagan hit a 24 yard field goal with 1:31 left in the fourth quarter to give Memphis a 31-20 advantage. Reagan is now 7-for-8 on field goal attempts this season.

 The Tigers are now 3-0 all-time against SMU.