Not even the persistent rain that soaked the Liberty Bowl sodfor much of the day Saturday could keep quarterback Danny Wimprinefrom wading deeper into The University of Memphis record books.
Wimprine's record-setting performance in the season-openerhighlighted an encouraging 40-10 victory for the Tigers overTennessee Tech.
The junior quarterback completed 15 of 21 passes for 266 yardsand two touchdowns. In the first quarter, he set The U of M careercompletions mark. Wimprine later eclipsed the all-time yardagerecord with an 80-yard touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams early inthe third quarter.
"It's something to look back on when football is finished,"Wimprine said of his records. "But I'm glad it's over so peoplewill stop talking about it and we can just focus on the game."
Coach Tommy West is far less impressed with Wimprine'sstatistical feats than he is with his development as aquarterback.
"He's more poised," West said. "He's matured into a quarterback.He's not only putting it to the right people now, he's putting (theball) in the right spots."
Although Wimprine was credited with 80 yards on his recordsetting completion, it was Williams that did most of the work.
Williams caught a quick swing pass to the right, reversed hisfield, beat everyone to the left corner and glided down thesideline for the touchdown. Williams broke six different tacklesalong the way.
"It's fun for me to watch DeAngelo play," Wimprine said. "Ithrow him a three yard route and he takes it a long way."
The long touchdown was just one of three on the evening for thesophomore Williams. He scored on a one-yard plunge in the secondquarter and caught Wimprine's other touchdown pass -- a 28-yarder-- late in the third. Williams caught four passes for a career high135 yards.
It was the most single game receiving yards by a tailback inschool history.
Yet for all big numbers the Tigers offense collected, Coach Westwas most excited about the smallest number his team posted -- zero.As in zero turnovers.
"This is a very young team in an opening ballgame and we cameout and didn't have a turnover," West said. "That is exactly whatwe wanted."
While the Tigers offense played turnover-free football, thedefense forced the Golden Eagles into three of their own.
One came early in the second quarter with Tech threatening tocut into a 10-0 deficit. Tiger defensive end Albert Means crunchedGolden Eagle quarterback Robert Craft, forcing a fumble thatlinebacker Derrick Ballard fell on.
Tennessee Tech's only points came in the second quarter on a39-yard field goal and a 63-yard touchdown reception by DerekLee.
Maurice Avery did most of his damage on the ground. Avery scoredtwice on rushing touchdowns. His first quarter, 33-yard run aroundthe end gave Memphis its first touchdown of the season and theearly lead.
Avery scored the last touchdown of the game as well. His 3-yardTD run capped a 12 play, 65-yard drive in the third quarter thatmade the score 37-10. Overall, Avery ran six times for 55yards.
The only glaring problem on an otherwise encouraging night forthe Tigers came on special teams.
"The only thing I'm really disappointed at is we didn't kick theball well," West said. "We missed a couple of field goals and thekickoffs were not good."
West admitted the kicking game would have to improve and Memphiswould have to take care of the ball again if the Tigers are goingto beat quarterback Eli Manning and Ole Miss this Saturday.
When asked what he knew about the Rebels this season, West wasblunt.
"I think they got a pretty good quarterback," he said.
