Home team dominates in Marshall-Memphis series
By KERRY PATRICK, kpatrick@newsandsentinel.comMEMPHIS, Tenn. - Marshall would like nothing more to break a trend where the home team has won all four meetings in its series with Memphis, which began in 2005. The two programs meet in Memphis, Tenn. on Sept. 26.
According to one college publication, a total of 10 Memphis players earned preseason All-Conference USA honors, including running back Curtis Steele. The 6-foot, 185-pound senior was the league's Newcomer of the Year after leading the Tigers with 1,223 yards rushing.
Joining Steele on the All-Conference USA preseason second team was Dominik Riley, who was a member of an offensive line that ranked second in C-USA in sacks allowed with just 17.
Offense
Yes, Arkelon Hall returns at quarterback after appearing in 11 games last season as a junior. And yes, so does Brent Toney who filled in for two games when Hall was injured.
And yet, there is another player waiting in the wings who could make an impact as a freshman. Highly-touted prep signee Will Gilchrist has been compared to former Memphis signal-caller Martin Hankins, but with better speed.
At running back, Steele is the first Tiger since Heisman candidate DeAngelo Williams to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Steele not only scored seven touchdowns but also registered six 100-yard rushing games, including a career-high 203 yards against Arkansas State.
The emphasis at receiver has been shifted from big and powerful to simply "fast." The one-two punch of Carlos Singleton and Duke Calhoun combined for 1,278 yards and eight TDs on 92 receptions. Junior Deven Onarheim is the leading candidate to start at tight end.
The Tigers have major issues as far as the offensive line is concerned. Four of the five starters graduated. Only Riley returns. He will shift to the center position, while Ronald Leary and Malcolm Rawls contribute considerable game experience at the tackle and guard position, respectively.
Defense
Playing time is up for grabs with the entire defensive unit. Seniors Greg Terrell, Jada Brown, Josh Weaver and Steven Turner have logged extensive playing time along the line, while the linebacking crew will be bolstered by the return of Greg Jackson, Jeremy Longstreet and Winston Bowens. The Tigers also add two transfers to the mix - Jamon Hughes (Mississippi State) and Derrick Odom (LSU).
The defensive backfield appears to be a "work in progress" even with the return of Alton Starr, Deante Lamar, D.A. Griffin and Darius Davis.
Special teams
Matt Reagan is poised to end his career with the Tigers as one of the top placekickers in school history. Heading into his senior year, he ranks fifth all-time in scoring by a kicker with 196 points and ranks fourth in career PATs made (91). Reagan is also fifth all-time with 35 field goals made.
Also back in uniform is return specialist D.A. Griffin, who averaged 8.3 yards per punt return, which ranked second in the league. The junior posted 100-plus all-purpose yards in the last three games of the season.
Next opponent: The Pirates from East Carolina University.
