The Tigers Win Homecoming and Provide Hope for Season

Written by Ed Copeland On October - 14 - 2009Email Author

The Tigers gave the homecoming crowd of 18,284 a performance worthy of celebration. With a 35-20 victory over the UTEP Miners, the Tigers bounced back from a three game losing streak. Curtis Steele was healthy for the first time since being injured in the MTSU game and made his presence known early and often.

THE OFFENSE

The ‘man of Steele’ gave the Tigers a whopping 240 yards on 39 carries. Steele accounted for 3 touchdowns in the game, two on the ground and one touchdown reception. At quarterback, Will Hudgens was poised and was able to take advantage of the Miners decision to play mostly man coverage in the game. Hudgens has struggled with consistency for most of his career, however, that was not the case against UTEP, as Will was poised and in control. Will was 19-33 for 216 yards, 3 TD’s, 1 INT as the Tiger offense rolled up 486 yards of offense. The run game allowed for the Tigers to control the tempo and win the time of possession. The offensive line played their best game of the season and did not give up any sacks and helped open good running lanes for Steele.

THE DEFENSE

The Tiger defense didn’t exactly shut down the Miners, but they did enough to keep the Miners out of the end zone for most of the game. There was one notable big play by UTEP which came right before the half as Tigers’ Darius Davis misjudged a ball that sailed over his head to an open receiver. The front seven held UTEP’s running back, Donald Buckram to 71 yards on 18 carries. Buckram was key in the Miners upset over a top 25 Houston team. Buckram ran for over 260 yards against Houston, and Coach West countered by putting an extra man in the box to stop the run. It worked and the secondary made enough plays to win the game. Marcus Ball was very impressive with his two INT’s, the second one being a spectacularly athletic play. The defense only managed one sack, but the secondary made big plays at key times and Greg Jackson was a factor leading the team with 7 tackles, a TFL, and one fumble recovery. Deante’ Lemar was also in on 7 tackles and had 2 pass break ups.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The special teams were solid. The Tigers got a lift in the return game as senior graduate transfer; Chris Hobbs made his debut returning punts and kick-offs. Hobbs, a transfer from Stanford, has been nursing a pulled groin. Hobbs had one impressive kick off return of 35 yards and made a key stop in kick-off coverage. Reagan continues to excel in the punting game as he punted 5 times for a 44 yard average and punting 3 of the 5 inside the 20 yard line helping the Tigers control field position. On the flip side, Reagan has missed his last 3 field goal attempts going back to the Central Florida game. Paulo Henriques has been solid but is still not showing the leg yet to consistently push the ball deep.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

In summary, it was a solid win. The Tigers were able to get the lead early, control tempo, and respond anytime UTEP scored. The Tigers were able to maintain the lead after taking an early lead, scoring a touchdown in response to UTEP scoring the first points off a field goal. The offense seemed to gel and finally be on the same page. Will Hudgens handled an increased responsibility of check offs the coaches gave him the flexibility to call at the line. Hudgens was aided by having a healthy Curtis Steele back and ready to reap havoc. The defense, while having the occasional big play break downs, stepped up in key situations, especially in the red zone. Marcus Ball’s two interceptions were well timed and helped the Tigers maintain the upper hand for the entire game.

The Tigers step up in competition this week as they face a talented team down in Hattiesburg. Southern Mississippi is coming off of back-to-back losses but still should be one of the teams to beat in the C-USA East. Southern Miss lost starting QB Austin Davis to injury in the UAB game but have a veteran in redshirt junior Martevious Young. The Tigers have won the last two times they have played in Hattiesburg. Could the Tigers pull the hat trick and make it three in a row?

Injury Update

Tyler Bass is under going evaluation on his non-throwing shoulder. It will require surgery and the staff is in the process of deciding whether to wait until the end of the season or go ahead and take care of it now. A decision should be made in the next few days.

Football Recruiting

With a lot of uncertainty around the program, recruiting has been hard to get a read on. But despite the uncertainty over the coaching situation, the Tigers were able to pick up two new commitments for 2010. The first was linebacker, 6’2 225 Alphonso Bruton. Bruton is finishing up junior college at El Camino Community College in Torrence, CA. He will be able to sign in December and will have two years to play two.

Also committing is small Alabama speedster, 5’7 170 Corey Shelton. Shelton plays for Prattville High School and is a do it all player for his team. Shelton returns punts, kicks, plays wide receiver and running back. According to Prattville High School football coach Jamey DuBose, “Memphis made an offer on Friday, a couple of hours before the Stanhope game. They’ve been interested in him and they would like to use him at the positions he’s played for us. He’s an exciting return man and slot receiver and I think he will be a good fit for them.”

ESPN Scout’s, Inc Evaluation of Shelton:

Shelton isn’t the biggest guy on the field but he is very active and athletic. He is truly the definition of a scat back that is both fast and quick. Impressive on the reverse; size keeps him from being seen till he is on the perimeter. Can make quick moves in the openfield and is a slippery guy to bring down one on one. Possesses very good hands and can catch the football out of the backfield. Can turn a flare or screen pass into six points as he jets by defenders. Shows great perimeter acceleration. A real weapon as a return specialist. Has great vision when returning kicks and punts; reads blocks and adjusts in space while still accelerating. Is a threat to take the return the distance every time he touches the football. Shelton can be an impact player as a return specialist at the next level but may have to be a role player as a slot or wing back due to his size. One thing for sure, his speed, athleticism and overall quickness have to be accounted for every play by the opposition. He could possibly be a very solid man to man corner on defense.

Get full stats and more evaluation of Shelton here.

2010 Football Commitment List

WR 6’4 185 Bakari Trotter; Horn Lake High School
WR 6’6 205 Dramon Grady; Deland, Florida
WR 6’3 185 Michael Lindsey; Northwest Mississippi Community College (Senatobia, MS)
WR 6’2 205 Dejarius Adams; El Camino Community College (Torrence, CA)
WR 6’5 205 Jerry Anderson; Houston High School (Germantown, TN)
LB 6’2 225 Alphonso Bruton; El Camino Community College (Torrence, CA)
ATH 5’7 170 Cory Shelton; Prattville High School (Prattville, AL)
RB 6’3 195 Isaac Williams; El Camino Community College; (Torrence, CA)