Tigers fall short in Oxford

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this fall to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA football coverage. Today, our Memphis Correspondent Kyle Eaton recaps the Memphis Tigers trip to Oxford, MS where they fell 28-25 to Ole Miss.

Coming into Sunday's game, all of the questions for the 2006 Memphis Tigers were how they could replace all of the weapons they lost on offense. After Sunday's 28-25 loss, Tiger fans should not worry too much about their offense, but rather hope that the front seven can mature quickly and former starting quarterback Patrick Byrne can get more air out of his kickoffs.

There is a ton of potential on the Tigers' defense, but on Sunday afternoon, they were embarrassed by Ole Miss' trio of newcomers. All day long, when Ole Miss needed a big play, the fresh-faced rebels were able to produce.

Indiana transfer BenJarvus Green-Ellis was dominant as the new starting halfback for the Rebels, rushing for 126 yards and two scores. The entire second half, Green-Ellis pounded away on the Tiger defenders. Green-Ellis rarely went down after the first hit, and exposed the Tigers' inexperienced front seven.

Even more spectacular than Green-Ellis was true freshman Dexter McCluster totaled 268 yards of total offense. Dexter displayed his blazing speed on kick returns, was responsible for all but one of the Rebels' receptions, and scored Mississippi's first touchdown on an unusual formation that none of the Tigers were ready to defend. McCluster almost single-handedly buried the Tigers.

University of Tennessee refugee Brent Schaeffer was not over-whelming in his first game, but he was mistake free in his return to division I-A football. Schaeffer broke the Tigers' hearts with a methodical drive down the field, culminating in an eight yard scramble for the game-winning touchdown.

The Tigers offense performed well, producing a good foundation to build upon for the rest of the season. Martin Hankins was very impressive in his debut running the Tigers' offense, spreading the ball around to ten different receivers and amassing two touchdown strikes. Hankins looked comfortable in the pocket and gave the Tigers an outstanding chance to tie or win the game in the fourth quarter.

While no Tiger fan will ever forget DeAngelo Williams, Joseph Doss went a long way proving that he is more than capable of replacing Williams in the backfield. Doss rushed for 112 yards against a tough defense, led by one of the nation's best linebackers, Patrick Willis.

Many teams this weekend showed the rust of an eight month layoff, but neither team in Oxford showed any rust. Both teams played well, only committing six penalties and one turnover all day. Even though the Tigers lost, they played a smart and disciplined game, and could have won the game very easily. The game was tight throughout, with neither team able to produce a lead greater than a touchdown until Schaeffer's fourth quarter scramble.