University of Memphis head football coach Tommy West said he feels when the Tigers match up against No. 20 Mississippi St. Monday night the game could possibly be won by the play of both teams’ front lines.
“Their defensive line is very talented,” West said. “One of the keys to the game may be how well we control the line (of scrimmage). If their defensive line can pressure us, it could be a long day for us.”
On the other side of the ball, the Tigers defensive line will no doubt be oversized by a Bulldog offensive line which averages 6-4, 320 pounds per man. West, though, said he and his team aren’t afraid of the challenge.
“Our defensive line will not line up with them,” he said. “We don’t match up from the size standpoint, but that doesn’t bother me. We were undersized against them a year ago.”
He said the Tiger defense won’t try to bowl over the Bulldog offensive line in an attempt to pressure Wayne Madkin, MSU’s all-time passing leader with 5,324 yards, and the rest of the Bulldog backfield.
“We’ll move around a bunch,” West said. “We won’t sit in front a lot and see who’s the biggest or who’s the strongest — it doesn’t match up.”
What West said his team will do is show MSU a few different looks defensively in an effort to disturb the Bulldogs’ enormous offensive line.
“We’ll use quickness with our defensive line and move around,” West said. “We hope to create some problems for their guys up front.”
The Tigers lost their 2000 season opener to the Bulldogs 17-3 last season, although they trailed by only seven points heading into the fourth quarter before running back Dicenzo Miller scored from six yards out with 1:55 remaining to seal the game.
Monday night marks the 12th season-opening meeting between the two teams and the fourth straight to be nationally televised. Memphis hasn’t beaten MSU since 1993, a 45-35 upset win in Starkville.
This year, though, the ball club has a new face after making changes in its offensive scheme and at the head coaching position, while Mississippi St. has a strong group of returning players.
A major plus for the Bulldog defense will be the return of senior safety Pig Prather, a 2001 preseason Playboy All-America selection and 2000 National Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist. The 6-2, 195-pound safety was sidelined due to injury last season after starting 10 games, yet still finished the season with 78 tackles, good enough for third-best on the squad.
Other top returners on the Bulldog defensive line include 6-3, 253-pound junior linebacker Mario Haggan, who had 132 tackles and five quarterback sacks in 2000, and senior defensive end Conner Stephens, who had 10 pass blocks and two interceptions last season.
West has not yet named a starting quarterback, but may be leaning toward junior Travis Anglin to start at the position. West said he plans to make a decision prior to kickoff so the Bulldogs would not have time to prepare for a particular quarterback. Senior Neil Suber and redshirt freshman Danny Wimprine are West’s other choices.
The Tigers will probably play several receivers since their new offensive scheme includes plenty of no-huddle. Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner has moved several players around, so it should be intersting to see who works.
The Tigers return much of last year’s defense, which ranked No. 5 in the nation in total defense. Sophomore defensive tackle Albert Means was granted eligibility Wednesday by the NCAA and should make a difference on the defensive line at 6-4, 335 pounds.
