It might have been 11 months ago, but it still seems like yesterday for Memphis Tigers head coach Tommy West.
The play that ended the 2001 Tigers season and bowl hopes is still fresh in West’s mind.
“The end-without question-is what I remember the most,” West said. “We played well; we came back into the game, and we took the lead. Then-the heartbreak at the end.”
The moment that broke the Tigers hearts came against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 24, 2001.
The Bearcats had the ball, and it was fourth down with 27 yards to go on the Bearcats 27-yard line with 33 seconds remaining. Cincinnati quarterback Gino Guidugli dropped back and hit receiver Jon Olinger for a 36-yard completion.
Moments later Guidugli found Olinger for a 13-yard touchdown and gave the Bearcats a 36-34 win and Memphis a 5-6 record.
Last season’s devastating loss might serve as extra motivation the Tigers (2-5, 1-3 in Conference USA) as they head to Nippert Stadium to play Cincinnati Saturday.
West said the loss, coupled with the need for a win, should drive the team to execute better.
“I believe the loss will (motivate us),” West said. “And on top of that, we are searching, searching for a way to get a win. Hopefully we will play better.”
Cincinnati (2-5, 1-2 in C-USA), along with Memphis, is looking for a win. Both teams are entering the game with three-game losing streaks.
Cincinnati has losses to Miami (OH), Tulane and Southern Mississippi, giving up 89 points.
The Tigers have surrendered 88 points in three losses to Alabama-Birmingham, Louisville and Mississippi State.
The similarities don’t end there.
West said the teams have more in common than wins and losses.
“We are both a minus nine in the turnover department,” West said. “We both have not been good in the kicking game. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes should come out on top.”
Memphis and Cincinnati have caused 12 turnovers from opponents. However, the opposition has taken the ball away 21 times.
Cincinnati is depending on its sophomore signal caller Guidugli to cut back on his errors.
Guidugli leads C-USA in interceptions with 12, just ahead of East Carolina’s Paul Troth and Tiger quarterback Danny Wimprine, both with 11.
According to West, besides the interception and losing record, Guidugli has still shown signs of dominance.
“I think he is a really good player. His stats show that,” West said. “They haven’t won as many games as they would like, but he is still a great quarterback.”
Some of the statistics that stand out to West are Guidugli’s league leading numbers. He has 1,939 yards passing with 11 touchdowns.
The Bearcats lead the conference in both passing offense with 285.1 yards a game and total offense with 416.7 yards a contest.
West said the reason why Cincinnati is so prolific on offense is because of the options Guidugli has to choose from.
“Both of their wide outs are good players and their back is a good player,” West said. “We have a tough job going up there. They are a very productive offensive team.”
The two deep threats for the Bearcats are seniors LaDaris Vann and Olinger.
Vann enters the game with three touchdown receptions and 525 yards receiving.
Since the victory over the Tigers last season, the 6-3 Olinger has been the go-to guy for Cincinnati.
He has 623 yards receiving while averaging 18.9 yards per catch with three touchdowns.
In the backfield, the running back West mentioned was senior DeMarco McCleskey.
The 5-11, 215-pound back is fifth in C-USA in rushing with 645 yards and is second in C-USA with eight touchdowns.
The Tigers have signs that the defense can contain the Bearcats attack.
Memphis is first in C-USA in passing defense giving up 157.1 yards a game. The rush defense that is last in C-USA giving up 219 yards a game might be in more trouble with junior linebacker Coot Terry doubtful for the game.
Terry suffered a leg injury in the loss to Mississippi State last Saturday.
While terry is doubtful, the Tigers will have freshman running back DeAngelo Williams back. Williams missed last week’s game tending to his bruised knee.
With Memphis at full strength on offense, West said he expects his team will bounce back from its turnover-laden performance against Mississippi State to have a productive effort.
“We have to just cut the mistakes out,” West said. “If we keep playing with the intensity we’ve been playing with and eliminate the mistakes, we’ll be fine. We have to get the mistakes out of here.”
