USM defeats Memphis, 23-6
By By Shawn Wansley/EMG sports writer
September 14, 2003
HATTIESBURG Black and Blue.
That's the unofficial name of the Southern Mississippi vs. Memphis football series and it lived up to that name here Saturday night at Roberts Stadium.
The Golden Eagles came up with two big goal line stands and used a huge punt return for a touchdown by Marvin Young to down the Tigers 23-6 in a physical Conference USA battle.
The Eagles won despite starting quarterback Micky D'Angelo being knocked out of the game late in the first half. D'Angelo was held out in the second half
as a precautionary measure and sophomore Dustin Almond came on in relief.
On the night, Memphis turned it over six times, with three interceptions and three fumbles.
But the Eagles struggled at times, too. They started four possessions in Memphis territory in the third quarter, but managed just a field goal.
Tiger running back DeAngelo Williams rushed 28 times for 158 yards, but lost three fumbles. Quarterback Danny Wimprine completed 16 of 35 passes for 182 yards, but threw three interceptions.
Southern Miss, 2-1 overall and 2-0 in C-USA, will host Nebraska on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in a nationally televised ESPN game.
Memphis, 2-1 and 0-1, hosts Arkansas State on Sept. 27.
The Eagles were clinging to a 9-6 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Memphis was forced to punt. Brand Roberson punted 49 yards to Young at
his own 13. He fielded the ball, took it up the middle, cut to his right and raced 87 yards for a touchdown. Darren McAleb's extra point kick made it 16-6 with 7:27 left in the game.
Two possessions later, West Jones product Luke Johnson punted the ball 26 yards to the Tiger 8-yard line, the third time on the night he pinned the Tigers inside the 10.
After Southern Miss held Memphis and forced a punt, they ended the scoring when Mize's Timmy Blackwell raced 38 yards for a touchdown with 1:50
remaining to play. Blackwell ended the game with 96 yards rushing.
The Golden Eagles struck first in the game.
Defensive back Greg Brooks got the first of his two interceptions, picking off a Wimprine pass at the Tiger 40-yard line and returning it to the 15.
Three plays later, D'Angelo sneaked it over from a yard out. However, McAleb's extra point attempt was blocked by Greg Harper and Southern Miss led 6-0 with 8:05 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers cut the lead in half early in the second quarter, thanks to another blocked kick.
This time, Memphis' Sam Brewer blocked a punt attempt by Johnson and the Tigers took over on the Eagle 31.
On first down, Williams carried for 24 yards to the Eagle 7. On first and goal, wide receiver LaDarius Price took a handoff and went to the one.
But the Southern Miss defense, led by preseason All-American linebacker Rod Davis and lineman Terrance Ford, stuffed Williams on two consecutive plays.
That forced a 20-yard field goal by Madison Central sophomore Stephen
Gostowski to make it 6-3 with 8:45 left in the second quarter.
Late in the half, Johnson pinned the Tigers at their own one with a 45-yard
punt.
However, Wimprine moved the Tigers steadily downfield, thanks mostly to
sophomore wide receiver Maurice Avery. Avery caught four passes in the
drive, the longest being a 35-yarder which gave Memphis a first and goal on
the five.
After Wimprine spiked the ball to kill the clock, Gostkowski came on and
booted a 23-yard field goal with 5.4 seconds left in the half to the score
at 6-6.
The Eagles took the lead for good early in the third quarter.
Williams fumbled the ball and Davis recovered at the Memphis 49. Nine plays
later, McAleb booted a 28-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a 9-6 lead with
9:53 left on the clock.
Memphis had a golden opportunity to tie it up or take the lead early in the
fourth quarter. However, on third-and-goal a the two, Wimprine was
intercepted in the end zone by Etric Pruitt.
