Tsk tsk, Skip; Memphis thrashes UTEP

[Ultra Peanut]

So, you're 1-2 after two heartbreaking (and leg-breaking, for the QBs who started those games) close losses. You're missing a starting WR, two starting D-Linemen, your two best QBs, your starting TE, and your starting MLB. You're going up against a 4-0 team, with your 5'8", true freshman, third-string QB and your #1 receiver left as the only remaining options at QB. The aforementioned 4-0 team was predicted to win your conference in the pre-season, has won 11 of their last 13 games, and has a very potent offense coupled with a solid defense.

What do you have in your favor? If you're Memphis, you have one of the most stunningly great RBs college football has seen in some time, an absolutely huge amount of character, heart, and effort, some great special teams (not a huge factor in the game, but they're awesome), and a small (Mid-South Fair + two demoralizing losses + pre-game monsoon = walk-up be GONE) but very loud, boisterous crowd behind you.

Despite the fact that UTEP never stopped keying on DeAngelo, and actually stopped him for losses several times, they still only managed to "contain" him to a mere 236 yards rushing and 2 TDs, including what was perhaps the most spectacular, brilliant run from scrimmage I have ever seen (a compass-spanning 74-yarder on a direct snap that made it 17-6 and will be a Top 10 Play unless ESPN just refuses to show any highlights from CSTV), plus a gutsy, Priest-style, "You can surround me and grab me, but I am lunging into the end zone no matter what," capper after former walk-on Derek Clenin's late INT (one of six UTEP turnovers, all but one of them forced by Tigers pressure or coverage; Memphis? No turnovers, true freshman QB and all.) to make it 27-20 with under a minute left.

Speaking of Superman, he now needs 938 yards to top Ricky Williams' record for Division I-A career all-purpose yards.

God, this one was beyond memorable. So much tension, so many huge moments (like Mo Avery's 43-yard bomb to fellow receiver Ryan Scott for the first touchdown of the game, or Carlton Baker's forced fumble deep in Tigers territory after getting to Carson's Brother)... what a win, what a night.

[Skip Towne]

Tsk. Tsk, Psicosis. how did you do against Tulsa? Hahahahahaha Freakin' Tulsa. Hahahahahaha

[Ultra Peanut]

Tsk. Tsk, Psicosis. how did you do against Tulsa? Hahahahahaha Freakin' Tulsa. HahahahahahaHahahahahaha Freakin' Kansas. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

[Skip Towne]

Hahahahahaha Freakin' Kansas. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Didja get yourself one of those miniature NASCAR cars with that RB's number on it? The Tulsa World sportswriters couldn't think of anything to print about Memphis so they talked about those cars. Hahahahahahahahahah

[Ultra Peanut]

Lots of people all over the nation have talked about the cars. That's the point of a Heisman campaign (not that I'd expect you to have the slightest clue about college football; you've gleefully demonstrated your ignorance for all to see, time after time), genius.

[Skip Towne]

Lots of people all over the nation have talked about the cars. That's the point of a Heisman campaign (not that I'd expect you to have the slightest clue about college football; you've gleefully demonstrated your ignorance for all to see, time after time), genius.
I plead ignorance to that minor league shit you watch.

[Ultra Peanut]

DeAngelo's wild run supplies Tigers' winning magic
By Geoff Calkins
October 2, 2005

DeAngelo Williams took the direct snap from Blake Butler.

This could not fool anyone, of course. Memphis had already tried it several times before.

So the 11 UTEP players started to close in, certain in the knowledge that only one man could beat them, and they weren't about to allow that.

What followed was ridiculous. What followed was brilliant and astounding and sublime.

Williams started right, then froze. He cut up into the hole, then shifted left.

Except words like cut and shifted don't begin to capture what actually happened out there, what 30,021 will tell their grandkids about.

They will simply call it the best run they had ever seen from Williams. Which made it the best run they had ever seen from anyone.

Williams has had some beauties, hasn't he? But has he ever had one more beautiful than this? Or more indispensable?

The Memphis Tigers defeated UTEP at the Liberty Bowl Saturday night, 27-20.

They did it with their two best quarterbacks sitting on the sideline wearing T-shirts that said, "Chicks Dig Crutches."

They did it with three other players taking snaps.

They did it with turnovers (6) and punting (45.0 average) and defense (welcome back!)

They did it with Derek Clenin, a walk-on from Memphis University School, picking off a pass with 1:16 left to set up the clinching score.

They did it by conjuring something out of nothing, which is the definition of Williams, isn't it?

Memphis had no business winning this game.

A couple hours before kickoff, Patrick Byrne and Will Hudgens took the field. Byrne sat in one chair, his broken leg sticking out in front of him. Hudgens sat in another chair, his broken leg sticking out in front of him.

They played catch. The No. 1 starter tossed the ball to the No. 2 starter.

The most feared team in Conference USA waited to take the field.

That would be UTEP, the Miners, who hadn't scored less than 21 points in 14 games. The actual scores were (deep breath now) 32, 31, 45, 24, 51, 44, 38, 35, 57, 35, 28, 34, 44 and 21.

How was Memphis going to keep up with that? With Billy Barefield at quarterback? A true freshman? A true freshman who had only started two games at quarterback for his high school last year?

It would take an Act of God.

Whoa. Was that lightning?

Kickoff was pushed back 40 minutes. Maybe Memphis had a chance after all.

But it didn't look likely, not with the Miners throwing the ball all over the place, not even after the Tigers took a 7-6 lead at the half.

A lead is great, of course. It beats the alternative. But the touchdown came on a 43-yard pass from one receiver (Maurice Avery) to another (Ryan Scott). Ever heard of a team that needs a trick play just to throw it deep?

That was Memphis, overmatched and underdogged. Scuffling, hustling, trying whatever might work.

Like that direct snap to Williams on first-and-10 from the 26.

It's hard to measure brilliance, of course. How do you choose between pearls? But this run was as shiny and as perfect as they come.

Williams headed for the right sideline led by...

Barefield?

Uh-huh. None other.

The third-string quarterback dropped a UTEP defender at the 25. Williams flew by them.

Memphis receiver Antonio McCoy took out another defender at the 10. Williams cut inside and accelerated to the end zone.

He dropped the ball when he got there. It's what Williams does. But everyone in the place suddenly knew Memphis could win.

It wasn't just the score. It was Williams showing the way. Barefield started throwing the ball deep. He converted two third-and-9s. And even when UTEP came back to tie at 20-20, the Tigers weren't through. Clenin stepped in front of UTEP quarterback Jordan Palmer's 50th pass of the night. He returned it to the 9. Two plays later, Williams reached the ball over the goal line for the win.

So the Tigers rejoiced. They had done what couldn't be done.

"I've been a part of some good wins in my career," said coach Tommy West, "but that's about as good as they come."

[Ultra Peanut]

I plead ignorance to that minor league shit you watch.ROFL

[Skip Towne]

ROFL
Did you really start this thread to gloat about beatng UTEP? Just checking.

[Ultra Peanut]

Did you really start this thread to gloat about beatng UTEP? Just checking.Actually, it was to admonish you for not starting a thread when we trailed 6-0. You're slipping, old man.

<img src="http://mas.scripps.com/MCA/2005/10/02/2cf2c_e.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 223px; border: 0" alt="" />

[Skip Towne]

Actually, it was to admonish you for not starting a thread when we trailed 6-0. You're slipping, old man.
Sorry. I don't check the schedule to see what UTEP is doing.

[Ultra Peanut]

http://media.putfile.com/TDeAngeloUTEP

[Ultra Peanut]

Thank God I have this to fall back on, after that "minor league" display today...

http://media.putfile.com/TDeAngeloUTEP