"Physical" is the new keyword for the Memphis football team.
After Saturday night's 35-29 loss to the UAB Blazers in Birmingham, coach Tommy West admitted at yesterday's press luncheon that the Tigers were pushed around.
"I feel that's why they won the game right there - being physical," he said. "But when you're struggling, things are magnified."
The Blazers (3-3 overall, 2-0 Conference USA) offensive line abused the Tigers all night, and in turn UAB's running game piled up 279 rushing yards on 50 carries.
Memphis (1-4, 0-2), on the other hand, gained just 77 yards on 27 carries.
"I thought our offense made significant improvement from the Tennessee game,"
West said. "Our offensive line did a good job pass-blocking, and I think the offense is back to normal."
Quarterback Martin Hankins, who struggled against the Vols and East Carolina, broke out for 303 yards and three touchdown passes.
"Our running game is still not where I'd like it to be, but I thought it was adequate against UAB," West said.
On the defensive side, however, the Tigers continued to struggle, despite picking off two passes.
"The defense really disappointed me," West said. "We did some things well but continued to do some things poorly.
"You can't put in a defense in two weeks, otherwise everyone would shake up their defenses all the time. But it's the system I want."
The Blazers pieced together a momentum-killing touchdown late in the first half after freshman Duke Calhoun caught his third TD of the season with less than two minutes in the second quarter. UAB marched down the field and scored with no time remaining on a 26-yard catch by Willie Edwards to go up 21-17 at halftime.
"We can't give up that touchdown before the half," West said. "That was just a killer."
The defense, already young and injured at some positions, will continue to practice this week with defensive backs Sam Brewer, Dustin Lopez, Wesley Smith and linebacker Quinton McCrary all nursing various injuries.
After suffering their seventh straight loss to UAB Saturday, the Tigers can look forward to playing Arkansas State (3-2 overall, 2-0 Sun Belt) this week, a team The U of M has beaten 10 straight games. The Indians are coming off two straight wins against Florida International and Louisiana-Monroe.
"I want our team to be able to start not only taking what the opponent gives us on offense, but forcing our game on them as well," West said.
Memphis and Arkansas State play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
