In 2015, after their best ever season the University of Memphis football team’s offense will look a little different next season.
Coach Justin Fuente’s squad hung their hats on the defensive end. Paxton Lynch and company will be looking to be more consistent on the offensive end this season since the defense has lost eight starters from the 10-3 team in 2014.
When the Tigers offense was running on all cylinders they relied heavily on a varied running attack that averaged 190.5 yards per game, which was best for 40th in the nation. Senior running back Brandon Hayes and Lynch from the quarterback position led the attack.
Brandon Hayes had a fantastic senior season. He led the team with 196 carries and 949 yards on the season. He was second only to Lynch in rushing touchdowns with five. Hayes had two 150-plus yard games last season.
Lynch is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the American Athletic Conference. He carried the ball 113 times for 321 yards and 13 touchdowns. He became a legitimate threat to score in the redzone over the course of the season.
Now that Hayes has graduated the Tigers are searching for a replacement. Former sophomore starter Doroland Dorceus was injured in a game against Ole Miss early in the season, and still hasn’t returned. He was leading the Tigers in rushing with 46 carries and 237 yards and four touchdowns at the time of his injury. He could return to starting lineup once he returns from injury.
All eyes now turn to junior Sam Craft and sophomore Jarvis Cooper. Their differing styles could lend well to sharing carries. Craft’s speed and vision make him a great edge rusher or a threat in the option with Lynch. Cooper’s big body and strength make him great at breaking through the offensive line or breaking tackles.
Craft became a legitimate threat out of the backfield last season after not making much of an impact from there his freshman season. His 331 yards on 89 carries and three touchdowns was good enough for third on the team. The sophomore athlete was sidelined due to a collarbone injury and only played in eight games, but was still able to make an impact on the Tigers offense. If healthy his role should expand this season.
Jarvis Cooper saw the least carries out of the three healthy running backs last season. He was limited to 75 carries through the whole season, but was able to rack up 378 yards and four touchdowns in those limited carries. A sophomore bump in carries would not be out of the realm of possibility.
The Tiger offense should be in good hands with these two talented backs leading the way next season.
Memphis will be counting on sophomore running back Sam Craft even more next season. Craft rushed for 372 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Photo by David Minkin
