Memphis Postgame Notes

Nov 20, 2010 | Football

Nov. 20, 2010

MEMPHIS POSTGAME NOTES
Game 11 - vs. UAB - November 20, 2010 - Birmingham, Ala.

TEAM GAME NOTES
 Captains for today's game were defensive lineman Frank Trotter, receiver Jermaine McKenzie and defensive back/return specialist D.A. Griffin.

OFFENSIVE NOTES
 Marcus Rucker extended his receiving streak to 11 games with a nine-yard reception on Memphis' first series.

 Gregory Ray caught a pass from Ryan Williams for a 33-yard gain in the second quarter. It was a career-high reception for Ray as his previous high was a 32-yard catch against East Carolina earlier this year.

 True freshman Jerrell Rhodes made a 36-yard run in the second quarter following Marcus Ball's interception. The run was a career high, but Rhodes fumbled the ball on the play. The play was reviewed as it appeared Rhodes may have been down before the ball popped loose, but the call on the field stood.

 Marcus Rucker scored Memphis' first touchdown of the game off a 28-yard pass from Ryan Williams. It was Rucker's seventh touchdown of the season; the ninth of his career. It was Williams' 11 TD pass this season. Rucker has scored in three of the last five games, and totals five TDs in that span as he logged multiple TDs against USM and Tennessee. Memphis attempted a two-point conversion but failed on the pass from Williams to Jerrell Rhodes.

 Marcus Rucker finished with a team high 90 yards receiving on four receptions, averaging 22.5 yards per catch. It is the second highest total of his career with his career best being 155 yards against Southern Miss earlier this year.

 Jerrell Rhodes led the team with 85 yards rushing on 11 carries with an average rush of 7.7 yards. It is his second highest career rushing total with his high being 90 yards against UTEP earlier this season. The 7.7 yard average is a career best. Rhodes finished with 93 all-purpose yards with 85 yards rushing and eight yards receiving.

 Freshman Ryan Williams threw for 228 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-31 passing. It is the fifth time this season he has thrown over 200 yards and the third-straight game he has eclipsed the mark.

DEFENSIVE NOTES
 Junior Terrence Thomas made his first career start today. He started at linebacker for DeRon Furr, who did not make the trip because of an injury. Thomas logged a career-high 12 tackles in today's game and had four tackles for loss, totaling 21 yards. The four TFLs is tied for fourth in school history with 13 other players. The last player to record four TFLs was Clinton McDonald against Arkansas State in 2008.

 Senior safety Marcus Ball picked off UAB's Bryan Ellis for his first interception of the season. Ball intercepted the ball at the Memphis 49 on 1st-and-10 from the UAB28. The play was reviewed and the call on the field stood. It was Ball's fourth career pick (one of which he registered while playing for Florida State).

 Marcus Ball made his second interception of the game in the fourth quarter and returned it 63 yards to the UAB seven-yard line. It is the second time in his career he has logged two interceptions in the game; he also logged two against UTEP last season. Todd Washington was the last Memphis player to record multiple interceptions in a game, making two picks this season against Middle Tennessee.

 Jamon Hughes continued to lead the defense in tackles, registering 17 stops today. He has led the team in tackles in 10 of the 11 games this season, and totals seven games of double-digit stops this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
 Paulo Henriques booted a 44-yard field goal with 7:04 remaining in the first quarter. It was his second-straight 40 yarder as he converted a 45-yard field goal against Marshall last week. Henriques made it three straight, later in the second quarter, when he hit a 43-yard field goal to cut the Memphis deficit to 11 points (17-6). Henriques has converted all five of his last 40-yard attempts.

 D.A. Griffin logged a 35-yard kickoff return late in the second quarter, marking the longest kick return of the season for the Tigers.

 Paulo Henriques booted a 36-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter. He has hit eight straight field goals, dating back to the Southern Miss game. Henriques is 7of-7 on kicks under 40 yards this season. The three field goals made is a career high for Henriques.

 The last time that Memphis hit three field goals in a game was against Southern Miss last season. The last time Memphis hit three field goals in a half was in 2007 against Marshall (first half). The kicker was Matt Reagan.

 D.A. Griffin logged 118 yards on six kick returns for his second straight game over 100 yards and the fourth in the last five games.