News Nuggets, 08.18.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Tigers take preseason trip to Liberty Bowl

MEMPHIS — The season hasn't even started yet and the Memphis Tigers have already made it to the Liberty Bowl. With two weeks to go before its opening game, the U of M utilized the venerable stadium Saturday for a 95-play, mid-afternoon scrimmage. The two-hour scrimmage marked the first time during preseason camp the Tigers have worked out in the venue, which happens to be their home stadium.

Junior quarterback Danny Wimprine engineered a scoring drive on the No. 1 offense's first series, culminating in a 24-yard touchdown pass to junior college transfer Chris Kelley. Wimprine was 7-of-8 on the day for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Overall the Tigers ran the ball 66 times for 200 yards while the U of M's quarterbacks combined to complete 16-of-29 passes for 238 yards.

Memphis coach Tommy West sized up the effort as a positive one relative to a turnover-marred scrimmage last Wednesday. "Right now we want to run the ball and I think we are running it much better," he said. "Overall, I thought we were much better today. We didn't defeat ourselves on either side of the ball. That's something this team is having to learn right now, how not to beat yourself."

In the Saturday session, Memphis's offense lost just one fumble and did not have a pass intercepted. The Tigers spread their running attack by utilizing 10 backs and receivers. Red-shirt freshman Brian Davis led the running game with eight carries for 48 yards while sophomore LaKendus Cole had 12 carries for 42 yards. Returning sophomore DeAngelo Williams had six carries for 32 yards and caught two passes for 34.

Defensively, senior linebacker Greg Harper led the Tigers with eight tackles while Derrick Ballard and Wesley Smith each registered seven stops. Red-shirt freshman defensive back Sam Brewer had 1.5 sacks accounting for -13 yards.

On a negative note, sophomore wide receiver Mario Pratcher suffered a broken collarbone during Saturday's scrimmage. He will likely be out five to six weeks. "That is a bad blow for us," West said. "Someone has to step up now. I hate to lose a guy like that but that's what good teams do, they find someone to step up."

Memphis opens its season Aug. 30 in the Liberty Bowl when the Tigers host Tennessee Tech. The Liberty Bowl is also the home of the December 31 postseason bowl game which pits the Conference USA champion against the Mountain West Conference kingpin.

Work ethic reaps dividends for USM walk-ons

HATTIESBURG — As is customary each year for the Southern Miss football program, head coach Jeff Bower has recognized the persistent achievement of a pair of walk-on football players by awarding them scholarships. Daron Lawrence and defensive end LeVon Pears are the recipients of the Kristen Bower Endowed Scholarship, given annually to players who excel through dedication, hard work and sacrifice, with special preference give to walk-on players.

In Bower's 13 years as head coach, 37 former walk-on players have been awarded scholarships. "The day when we award scholarships to walk-ons is always my favorite time of the year," Bower said. "When we bring these players in, it is difficult to measure their heart and the intangibles. It's great to see the players who come here knowing they have to pay their way through school, and in turn, pay the price and sacrifice and persevere, knowing that through that they can achieve anything.

"I am most proud of these two football players. Through their hard work and dedication, they put themselves in a position to be productive members of the team. These players are like the other former walk-ons who have earned scholarships. It was great to see when the announcement was made how the whole team gave them a standing ovation. These players are highly respected by their teammates and it showed."

Lawrence has earned the starting wide receiver job for the 2003 season. He played in three games in 2001 at receiver and two games in 2002. Known as one of the hardest workers on the team, he was awarded the team's most improved offensive player in the spring of 2003. A good student in the classroom, he is majoring in radio, television and film.

Pears played in 11 games in 2001, seeing time in 164 plays and played in 13 games in 2002, seeing time in 224 plays. He registered 35 tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups over the two years. Also an excellent student in the classroom, he is a coaching and sport administration major.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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