The 2014 Memphis Tiger offense was the most potent in team history as they averaged more than 36 points per game. The 2015 Memphis Tigers have the potential to be even better on offense this season.
With eight returning starters on offense — including star redshirt junior quarterback Paxton Lynch — the strong chemistry on offense built from last season’s 10-win season, one of the best seasons in Tiger football history, will be even more crucial for Tiger football in 2015 given the departure of eight starters on defense.
Paxton Lynch
The most important position in football is quarterback, and the Memphis Tigers have one of the better quarterbacks in the country in Lynch. Lynch has moved up the Tiger record books in rapid fashion after an excellent 2014 season.
He accounted for 35 total touchdowns (22 passing and 13 rushing), and threw for more than 3,000 yards. As a result, he’s been named on preseason watch list after preseason watch list including the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in college football that season.
Despite being a legitimate NFL prospect, Lynch and Memphis coach Justin Fuente both agree Lynch has plenty of room to improve. One of the keys for the Tigers’ this season will be how Lynch plays after his amazing 2014 season.
“I think he’ll continue to make those strides as long as he continues to have that hunger to improve,” Fuente said. “He has made strides in the weight room, which is helping him play better. He has made strides as a leader, with some self-realization and understanding how important it is.”
Lynch said it’s vital he grows into a leadership role because once you’re on the field, the coaches aren’t there to help.
“Whenever we’re out there on the field, the coaches aren’t out there with you pushing guys along,” Lynch said. “So whenever you are on the field you have to keep pushing guys and picking them up as well.”
The backfield
To put it simply, Memphis is loaded in the backfield despite losing senior running back Brandon Hayes to graduation. Junior running back Doroland Dorceus returns to the lineup after suffering a seasonending leg injury against Ole Miss early last season.
Dorceus ran for 251 yards, averaged 5.2 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in four games in 2014.
Junior Sam Craft, who’s played both running back and receiver in his time with the Blue and Gray, is listed at running back and was effective for the Tigers at times last season, most notably his performance in a 41-14 win over Cincinnati when Craft rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown on 38 carries.
Craft said one of the keys for him this season will be getting more comfortable in the backfield.
“It was different going from the outside to the backfield,” Craft said. “Running between the tackles, I think if I get that down a little bit better and am able to block anywhere on the field, I can help the team more than I did last year.”
Junior Jarvis Cooper, who should get his fair share of touches, ran for 388 yards, averaged 5.0 yards per carry and scored four touchdowns in 12 games last season.
The receivers
Last season, the Tiger receivers formed a strong unit and don’t expect that to change in 2015.
Memphis is returning Mose Frazier, who’s impressed in the offseason. Frazier led the Tigers in receptions last season with 47 and was second on the team in receiving yards (506).
Tevin Jones and Roderick Proctor along with Frazier were named as starters on the team’s first preseason depth chart also return. The two combined for 60 catches and more than 650 receiving yards last season. Senior tight end Alan Cross has grown into Lynch’s security blanket over the past two seasons.
The former walk-on caught 28 passes for 373 yards and four touchdowns last season. Lynch said having familiarity with his receivers and running backs makes his job as quarterback that much easier.
“It’s a great feeling. I can hand it to a couple of running backs in the backfield and they can to take the workload. If I drop back and throw I have three-four receivers out there that can all make plays on it,” Lynch said.
The offensive line
The Tigers return four of five starters from the offensive line last season. This season, the line is projected to be the best in Fuente’s tenure.
The projected starters at left tackle, left guard, center, right guard and right tackle are redshirt senior Taylor Fallin, senior Tyler Uselton, sophomore Gabe Kuhn, redshirt sophomore Zach Collins and Louisville transfer Ryan Mack.
They will be key to protecting Lynch and giving him a clean pocket and opening up holes in the backfield for the likes of Dorceus and Craft. If all goes to plan, the Memphis offense can break the record for most points in a season set by the 2014 Tigers.
Paxton Lynch is third all-time in Tiger football history with 31 touchdown passes in two seasons. sam dolupie volupis eturis aniscius rerum
