University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Hometown "Special"-ist
Dec 19, 2018 | Football
Pollard with 1,359 all-purpose yards, eight touchdowns in 2018.
Note: The Tony Pollard feature first appeared in the Tigers Football GameDay program Oct. 6 when Memphis hosted Connecticut.
Tony Pollard has a poster in his room commemorating a proud moment for him and a long-awaited one for the University of Memphis.
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Two years ago – to the day – Pollard returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Temple, his first at the UofM and the first for the Tigers in 20 years. Memphis hadn't run back a kickoff since a memorable win over Tennessee and Peyton Manning in 1996.
The poster was made by his special teams coach and shows him sprinting downfield, football tucked tight under his arm. At the bottom are the words: 'The Streak Is Over.'
Since that first one, Pollard has added five more and is one kickoff return for a touchdown shy of tying the NCAA record.
"I would like to get it," he said of the record. "I'm right there knocking on the door, so I might as well get it."
Getting that next one could be difficult for the Memphian, a former Melrose standout. No one, it seems, is content kicking to him. In the first four games, he had one opportunity.
"It's been difficult," he said. "They've been kicking popups and squibs. If I go right, they kick left. If I go left, they kick right. If I'm in the middle, they find somewhere else to kick it."
Special teams coach Joe Lorig said because opponents have been trying to keep the football out of Pollard's hands, the UofM's field position has benefited. Through the first four games, the average starting field position for the Tigers was their 37-yard line.
"It's been awesome," Lorig said of the favorable field position. "Anytime that happens, you're going to score a lot of points. We're actually surprised people are doing that. Hopefully, people keep doing it. I'm fine with that."
Lorig made it a point to emphasize the field position Pollard's reputation and skills are creating. He wanted the kick-return team to understand they are still doing their jobs even if the long kickoff returns have been infrequent this season.
"I didn't want him or the special team players to get frustrated," Lorig said. "And he's not selfish. He wants what's best for the team. Again, we have such an explosive, dynamic offense that if you allow us to start on the 37-yard line, we are one first down from being at midfield."
Pollard never envisioned becoming one of the top kickoff return specialists in NCAA history when he signed with Memphis. He was simply hoping to find a role, any role, to contribute. He is the only active player in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with five or more kickoff returns for touchdowns and holds the school record (6).
"I had no idea I'd be doing kick returns," Pollard said. "I was just focused on offense, getting myself in the door, getting on the field. But one thing led to another and I just took advantage of the opportunity. I didn't know I'd be this good at it."
Last season, Pollard led the nation with a 40.05 yards-per-return average, the third-highest average in NCAA history.
"It's been kind of natural to me," Pollard said. "But the blocking schemes, and the coaching, and everyone else on the kick return team (deserve credit)."
Lorig said Pollard, in addition to possessing a strong lower body, has the perfect mentality for returning kicks, a trait that has made him successful.
"I think it's a combination of things," Lorig said. "It's a confidence thing. He can visualize the hole opening before it does and go full speed through. Sometimes it doesn't open and you're going to take a big hit. But he's not afraid of that.
"And there's been a big belief. When you look at all of our good kickoff returns, when you pause the film – which I do all the time – almost everyone has their blocks."
Pollard's impact is not limited to special teams. He has been heavily involved in the offense this season. Against South Alabama Sept. 22, he scored a key touchdown in the second half on a reverse pitch to give the Tigers some breathing room. He had a 13-yard touchdown reception 27 seconds into the lopsided win against Georgia State.
"I've been more a part, put more into the scheme, running more routes out wide as a receiver," Pollard said. "In high school, I played running back, receiver, safety, corner, punt returner. I did about everything in high school."
Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said Pollard knows the Tigers offense "like the back of his hand, which allows us to put him all over the field."
Pollard was slowed in the first few weeks by a hamstring injury, but has recovered to give the offense another weapon.
"A year ago he was the kick returner Tony Pollard," said Dillingham. "Now, he's the kick returner and offensive weapon Tony Pollard. We utilized that (versatility) at the end of last year and it's carrying over to this year. He's bought in to being that complete player."
Pollard is enjoying a role that highlights his skill set.
"I feel I can line up wide and go against cornerbacks, I feel I can line up in the slot and go against the linebackers and safeties or I can stay in the backfield and just run the ball," he said. "I really do some of everything. I can play defense, too, but they don't want to put me out there."
Unlike some of his similarly decorated teammates, Pollard chose to stay home and play for the Tigers. Homecoming, to Pollard, is celebrated every time he sprints out of the locker room and through the inflated Tiger head at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Pollard said he chose to play in his hometown because he enjoys being part of one of the American Athletic Conference's premier programs. The Tigers have appeared in four straight bowl games, a school record, and are among the most prolific offenses in the nation.
"I call my old teammates all the time and tell them how they should have come here (to the UofM)," Pollard said. "Most of them agree. But it is what it is. Everyone has to make their own decision."
Tony Pollard has a poster in his room commemorating a proud moment for him and a long-awaited one for the University of Memphis.
Â
Two years ago – to the day – Pollard returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Temple, his first at the UofM and the first for the Tigers in 20 years. Memphis hadn't run back a kickoff since a memorable win over Tennessee and Peyton Manning in 1996.
The poster was made by his special teams coach and shows him sprinting downfield, football tucked tight under his arm. At the bottom are the words: 'The Streak Is Over.'
Since that first one, Pollard has added five more and is one kickoff return for a touchdown shy of tying the NCAA record.
"I would like to get it," he said of the record. "I'm right there knocking on the door, so I might as well get it."
Getting that next one could be difficult for the Memphian, a former Melrose standout. No one, it seems, is content kicking to him. In the first four games, he had one opportunity.
"It's been difficult," he said. "They've been kicking popups and squibs. If I go right, they kick left. If I go left, they kick right. If I'm in the middle, they find somewhere else to kick it."
Special teams coach Joe Lorig said because opponents have been trying to keep the football out of Pollard's hands, the UofM's field position has benefited. Through the first four games, the average starting field position for the Tigers was their 37-yard line.
"It's been awesome," Lorig said of the favorable field position. "Anytime that happens, you're going to score a lot of points. We're actually surprised people are doing that. Hopefully, people keep doing it. I'm fine with that."
Lorig made it a point to emphasize the field position Pollard's reputation and skills are creating. He wanted the kick-return team to understand they are still doing their jobs even if the long kickoff returns have been infrequent this season.
"I didn't want him or the special team players to get frustrated," Lorig said. "And he's not selfish. He wants what's best for the team. Again, we have such an explosive, dynamic offense that if you allow us to start on the 37-yard line, we are one first down from being at midfield."
Pollard never envisioned becoming one of the top kickoff return specialists in NCAA history when he signed with Memphis. He was simply hoping to find a role, any role, to contribute. He is the only active player in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with five or more kickoff returns for touchdowns and holds the school record (6).
"I had no idea I'd be doing kick returns," Pollard said. "I was just focused on offense, getting myself in the door, getting on the field. But one thing led to another and I just took advantage of the opportunity. I didn't know I'd be this good at it."
Last season, Pollard led the nation with a 40.05 yards-per-return average, the third-highest average in NCAA history.
"It's been kind of natural to me," Pollard said. "But the blocking schemes, and the coaching, and everyone else on the kick return team (deserve credit)."
Lorig said Pollard, in addition to possessing a strong lower body, has the perfect mentality for returning kicks, a trait that has made him successful.
"I think it's a combination of things," Lorig said. "It's a confidence thing. He can visualize the hole opening before it does and go full speed through. Sometimes it doesn't open and you're going to take a big hit. But he's not afraid of that.
"And there's been a big belief. When you look at all of our good kickoff returns, when you pause the film – which I do all the time – almost everyone has their blocks."
Pollard's impact is not limited to special teams. He has been heavily involved in the offense this season. Against South Alabama Sept. 22, he scored a key touchdown in the second half on a reverse pitch to give the Tigers some breathing room. He had a 13-yard touchdown reception 27 seconds into the lopsided win against Georgia State.
"I've been more a part, put more into the scheme, running more routes out wide as a receiver," Pollard said. "In high school, I played running back, receiver, safety, corner, punt returner. I did about everything in high school."
Offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham said Pollard knows the Tigers offense "like the back of his hand, which allows us to put him all over the field."
Pollard was slowed in the first few weeks by a hamstring injury, but has recovered to give the offense another weapon.
"A year ago he was the kick returner Tony Pollard," said Dillingham. "Now, he's the kick returner and offensive weapon Tony Pollard. We utilized that (versatility) at the end of last year and it's carrying over to this year. He's bought in to being that complete player."
Pollard is enjoying a role that highlights his skill set.
"I feel I can line up wide and go against cornerbacks, I feel I can line up in the slot and go against the linebackers and safeties or I can stay in the backfield and just run the ball," he said. "I really do some of everything. I can play defense, too, but they don't want to put me out there."
Unlike some of his similarly decorated teammates, Pollard chose to stay home and play for the Tigers. Homecoming, to Pollard, is celebrated every time he sprints out of the locker room and through the inflated Tiger head at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Pollard said he chose to play in his hometown because he enjoys being part of one of the American Athletic Conference's premier programs. The Tigers have appeared in four straight bowl games, a school record, and are among the most prolific offenses in the nation.
"I call my old teammates all the time and tell them how they should have come here (to the UofM)," Pollard said. "Most of them agree. But it is what it is. Everyone has to make their own decision."
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