Just what would the job description be for a fourth-string quarterback?
Where would the expectations extend for someone who, until two weeks ago, was still the team's No. 1 receiver?
"My job is to take care of the ball," said University of Memphis quarterback Maurice Avery, who is 2-0 as a starter since being moved from his slot receiver position. "If the play isn't there, I will throw it away or try to make something happen with my feet, but I don't try to take over the game.
"I just do whatever I'm asked."
Despite the laundry list of torn ligaments and broken bones that have riddled the team this season, a list that includes broken legs to the Tigers top two quarterbacks, the team is still winning.
It hasn't been pretty the last two weeks but, "I don't think we're at a point yet where winning isn't good enough," Memphis coach Tommy West said. "Winning is still good enough for us right now."
And that's what the Tigers (4-3, 3-2 in Conference USA) have done these last two weeks, with a 35-20 win at Houston last week and a 27-24 gut-check victory Saturday over East Carolina.
Now Memphis sits just a half game behind division leaders Southern Miss and UCF.
Avery said the change isn't relegated to the conference standings.
"We moved from last place to just (a half-game back) in two weeks," he said. "Everybody's starting to get that pep in their step again. We know we've got a championship to go win, so everybody is playing together and practicing together as one unit with one heartbeat."
And perhaps the biggest key to the Tigers recent success has been Avery's understanding of his role.
Memphis hasn't won their last two games because Avery threw for 300 yards or drove down the field passing the ball in the final two minutes of the game.
They've won with Avery throwing 12-14 times for around 115 yards a game, while also making plays on the ground when the pass isn't there and most importantly not committing turnovers.
"It's really tough to not force a pass or try to make a big play," Avery said. "There was a play (against ECU) where I tried to make something happen, and it went wrong. And when I got to the sidelines, (the coaches) tell me to just let the game come to you and make the best play."
And it's not like there's been no evidence of inexperience so far.
West said there were at least 10 plays Saturday where Avery turned the wrong way on a handoff, the receiver came in motion from the wrong side or the line moved to the wrong side to block.
But, West has said more than once that Avery is in the backfield because he gives Memphis the best chance to win, and when you're down to your fourth guy, a chance might be all you could want.
"When you're playing your fourth-string quarterback, you're going to have a harder time doing what you want to do," West said before smiling. "I saw where Georgia was crying like crazy because they lost their starter. Are you kidding me? I'd be tickled to death if we'd only lost our starter."
