University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Jon Lambert
Gainwell Named to AP Midseason All-America Team
Oct 15, 2019 | Football
Tiger is one of two freshmen on midseason squad.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Freshman running back Kenneth Gainwell is one of two freshmen on the Associated Press Midseason All-America Team announced Tuesday. Gainwell, who ranks fifth in the NCAA with 121.0 rushing yards per game, was a second team honoree at running back.
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley was the only other freshman on the midseason team.
Gainwell heads in to Saturday's matchup against West Division foe Tulane with a streak of four consecutive games with 100-plus yards rushing. He almost hit a rare 100/100 double on Saturday at Temple, finishing with 106 rushing yards and 98 receiving yards.
On the year, Gainwell has 726 yards on 95 rushes with seven touchdowns. He also added 25 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown. Those totals are why he ranks second in the country and leads the American Athletic Conference with 160.5 all-purpose yards per game (963 over six games). Gainwell also ranks sixth in the nation with 726 total rushing yards on 95 carries. Of the top 10 backs in college football's latest total yards rankings, he is the only one with fewer than 100 carries.
Gainwell has started all six games for Memphis this season. After senior Patrick Taylor was injured late in the win over Ole Miss, Gainwell was part of a 6:21 drive that sealed the Memphis victory. Gainwell accounted for seven of the final 12 plays in that drive, including a slide at the Ole Miss 19-yard line to keep the clock running in the waning minutes. He then slid over to the Tigers' starting running back spot in the following five games.
Gainwell and his Tiger teammates are back in Memphis for their lone home game in October Saturday, hosting West Division foe Tulane (4-1). The Green Wave claimed last year's match-up against the Tigers and feature an offense that ranks 13th in the country with 496.3 yards per game. The Green Wave defense ranks one spot behind Temple in the national defensive rankings (32nd with 326.3 yards allowed per game) and held Memphis to just 31 yards rushing in the last meeting.
Tickets to the West Division clash are on sale at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
LSU cornerback Derek Stingley was the only other freshman on the midseason team.
Gainwell heads in to Saturday's matchup against West Division foe Tulane with a streak of four consecutive games with 100-plus yards rushing. He almost hit a rare 100/100 double on Saturday at Temple, finishing with 106 rushing yards and 98 receiving yards.
On the year, Gainwell has 726 yards on 95 rushes with seven touchdowns. He also added 25 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown. Those totals are why he ranks second in the country and leads the American Athletic Conference with 160.5 all-purpose yards per game (963 over six games). Gainwell also ranks sixth in the nation with 726 total rushing yards on 95 carries. Of the top 10 backs in college football's latest total yards rankings, he is the only one with fewer than 100 carries.
Gainwell has started all six games for Memphis this season. After senior Patrick Taylor was injured late in the win over Ole Miss, Gainwell was part of a 6:21 drive that sealed the Memphis victory. Gainwell accounted for seven of the final 12 plays in that drive, including a slide at the Ole Miss 19-yard line to keep the clock running in the waning minutes. He then slid over to the Tigers' starting running back spot in the following five games.
Gainwell and his Tiger teammates are back in Memphis for their lone home game in October Saturday, hosting West Division foe Tulane (4-1). The Green Wave claimed last year's match-up against the Tigers and feature an offense that ranks 13th in the country with 496.3 yards per game. The Green Wave defense ranks one spot behind Temple in the national defensive rankings (32nd with 326.3 yards allowed per game) and held Memphis to just 31 yards rushing in the last meeting.
Tickets to the West Division clash are on sale at www.GoTigersGoTix.com.
Players Mentioned
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