U of M can't untangle Webb on Senior Day
By: Joseph Russell
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Sports
The rivalry was trivial. The 100-pound trophy of bronzed bones was unimportant. Even bragging rights were deemed irrelevant. What mattered for the 25 seniors on The University of Memphis football team was suiting up to play for the last time at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday against UAB.
"(Coach) was telling us to go out there and have fun," said senior defensive lineman Josh Weaver. "All week at practice, he was telling us to go out and play our hearts out and have fun."
Senior tailback Curtis Steele said he had a hard time keeping his emotions in check leading up to the game.
"I've seen a lot of things happen in the three years that I've been here," he said. "I thought I was going to be all right coming into the game, but during the Tiger Walk, I started getting a little teary-eyed. Then it hit me that this was going to be my last time to play at home for The University of Memphis and the city."
Although their hope was to walk out of the season's last home game as winners, things didn't play out that way. A slow offensive start and the inability to stop UAB quarterback Joe Webb dug a hole that the Tigers (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA) could not claw their way out of, as they eventually fell 31-21 to the Blazers in front of an announced crowd of 18,031.
Webb led the way for UAB (5-5, 4-2 C-USA), throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns to go with an additional score on the ground.
Going into the game, coach Tommy West's goal was to stop Webb from running the ball, but his ability to throw so well came as a surprise.
"Right now, we're not good enough in the secondary," said West. "We're fighting like crazy against the run, but we're getting exploited some in the passing game. We're one-dimensional defensively."
Webb's 52 yards rushing were the fewest he's had all season, but in the end it didn't matter.
"I don't really know how to say it, but you wish you could have come out with a win playing for the last time in front of your hometown," said senior quarterback Will Hudgens. "I wish it could have been different, but you've got to roll with the punches and get back out there tomorrow."
"(Coach) was telling us to go out there and have fun," said senior defensive lineman Josh Weaver. "All week at practice, he was telling us to go out and play our hearts out and have fun."
Senior tailback Curtis Steele said he had a hard time keeping his emotions in check leading up to the game.
"I've seen a lot of things happen in the three years that I've been here," he said. "I thought I was going to be all right coming into the game, but during the Tiger Walk, I started getting a little teary-eyed. Then it hit me that this was going to be my last time to play at home for The University of Memphis and the city."
Although their hope was to walk out of the season's last home game as winners, things didn't play out that way. A slow offensive start and the inability to stop UAB quarterback Joe Webb dug a hole that the Tigers (2-8, 1-5 Conference USA) could not claw their way out of, as they eventually fell 31-21 to the Blazers in front of an announced crowd of 18,031.
Webb led the way for UAB (5-5, 4-2 C-USA), throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns to go with an additional score on the ground.
Going into the game, coach Tommy West's goal was to stop Webb from running the ball, but his ability to throw so well came as a surprise.
"Right now, we're not good enough in the secondary," said West. "We're fighting like crazy against the run, but we're getting exploited some in the passing game. We're one-dimensional defensively."
Webb's 52 yards rushing were the fewest he's had all season, but in the end it didn't matter.
"I don't really know how to say it, but you wish you could have come out with a win playing for the last time in front of your hometown," said senior quarterback Will Hudgens. "I wish it could have been different, but you've got to roll with the punches and get back out there tomorrow."