SEMO 17 vs UofM 35 #StripeUp
Southeastern Missouri 17 vs The University of Memphis 35
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis Tennessee
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Memphis, TN — The day all Tiger football fans have been waiting for, Mike Norvell’s first game as head coach, has finally come. Norvell is the first of the three new Head Coaches in Memphis put to the test. We will see what Tubby and Fizz do later this year.
Fans began gathering on Tiger Lane at noon to claim the best Tailgating spots. The newly constructed ticket gate is open for ticket purchases. There was entertainment for the entire family.
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At 3:30 pm the Head Coach Mike Norvell and The University of Memphis Tiger Football Team exit the bus and enter Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadiums fans and family members cheer them on. They are all dressed in nice grey suits with blue and white striped neck ties.
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Along with new personnel on the field, the Tiger supporters have a few off the field things to be excited about. In previous seasons the Tiger Alumni, Scholarship Fund, and M Club members would gather under a tent on Tiger Lane. Now, their hospitality area has been moved inside to the renovated Pipkin Building.
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Fans were also treated to a pep rally at the waterfall on Tiger Lane. The cheer and dance teams along with the band performed for the crowd.
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The Norvell/Ferguson era is finally underway as the Tigers win the coin toss and elect to receive the ball. Riley Ferguson’s first drive covers 75 yards, and results in 8 points. Ferguson connects with Anthony Miller 3 times for 45 yards on the scoring drive. The Tiger defense limits Southeast Missouri to only 1:03 with the ball on their first offensive drive of the game. SEMO only gets to run 3 plays for a gain of 2 yards. With 3:43 left in the first quarter the Tigers go on a 6 play 73 yard scoring drive. No sooner than the Redhawks get the ball back, Arthur Mallett intercepts Dante Vandeven’s pass and returns it to the SEOM 12 yard line. Forty five seconds later, Riley Ferguson connects with Doroland Dorceus for 13 yards for 6 points and Jake Elliott makes it 7 bringing the score to 22-0 to close out the first quarter.
Just over 5 minutes into the 2nd quarter Darrell Henderson scores a 23 yard touchdown. Fletcher Evans recovers a Ferguson fumble and puts the Redhawks in striking distance of the end zone. Jesse Hosket connects with Kristian Wilkerson for a 21 yard gain. The Tiger defense forces the Redhawks to settle for a field goal. Despite a Riley Ferguson interception in the final minute of the half, the Tigers lead the Redhawks 29-3 at halftime.
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Apparently the Redhawks made some adjustments at halftime as they score early and hold the Tigers scoreless until the final seconds of the 3rd quarter. The SEMO Redhawks scored on a 61 yard run by Will Young. The Tigers respond a few drives later with a 45 yard Jake Elliott field goal that keeps the Tigers in the lead, 32-10.
Early in the 4th quarter Jake Elliott makes good on a 40 yard field goal attempt (35-10). With 3:25 left in the game Jesse Hosket connects with Adrian Davis to complete an 8 yard pass a part of the 15 play 82 yard scoring drive (35-17). The Redhawks get an “A” for effort but the Tigers get the “W”.
The Tigers have a bye next week. The next opponent is Kansas on September 17th. Click here for tickets to the game.
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