A tough road test against a conference foe, trying to start the Conference USA schedule off with a victory and bounce back from a loss stares the Tigers in the face this Saturday.
Memphis (1-1) hopes the 38-16 loss to Ole Miss last week has helped them to prepare to handle a rowdy crowd in Southern Miss.
Quarterback Danny Wimprine said the key to winning on the road in a meaningful game is to keep your mind on the game.
“We played in a big game atmosphere,” Wimprine said. “I think we just need to stay more focused and get a little bit more comfortable on the road.”
Either at home or on the road, Wimprine has put up impressive numbers to earn the No. 19 quarterback rating in the nation.
Wimprine has thrown for 516 yard on 43 of 70 passing in the two games. Wimprine has seven touchdown passes on the season to four different receivers.
Junior Antoine Harden, senior Travis Anglin, sophomore Darron White and freshman Tavares Gideon have been on the receiving end of those touchdowns.
Although Memphis was able to stretch the field well in their two games, the running game had trouble last week.
Senior running back Dante Brown said offense has to concentrate on executing the plays to get the running game back on track.
“We have to come in and focus on the plays,” Brown said. “If we capitalize on our plays we can come out and be productive.”
The Memphis defense has to remain focus also to try to contain The Sporting News National Player of the Week and C-USA offensive player of the week Derrick Nix.
The 6-2, 225 pound senior rushed for 201 yards with two touchdowns versus Illinois last week. Nix’s second touchdown went for 50 yards and clinched the 23-20 victory.
Junior linebacker Rob Davis is another Golden Eagle with honors from last week.
The All-American and All-C-USA Davis had 14 tackles, four for loss and two sacks against Illinois.
Davis and the Golden Eagle defense have provided sturdy play in two games holding opponents to 13.5 points per game.
The Golden Eagles (2-0) have also received solid and mistake free play from sophomore quarterback Micky D’Angelo.
D’Angelo has thrown for 444 yards and two touchdowns in the two Southern Miss. victories.
D’Angelo has completed 55 percent of his place and has no interceptions.
D’Angelo will try to revenge last season’s 22-17 loss to the Tigers. The win was Memphis’ first over Southern Miss. since 1991.
Memphis is seeking a second straight win over the Golden Eagles and a third straight season starting 1-0 in C-USA.
Harden said the team is ready to get back on the field and have a better performance than against Ole Miss.
“We know we are more intelligent than that,” Harden said. “We have cut down on the mistakes and play better.׈
