With Governors Resigned, Memphis Looks on to Brawl with Bruins

A record night. That reality is revolving in my head, ceaselessly highlighting the most recent win in what Memphis fans can only hope will become a lengthy streak of victories for the Tigers.

On the national stage (for argument’s sake, I’m referring to all of the Ohio State- and FSU-esque teams out there), putting up 63 points is a spectacle in and of itself, not to mention simultaneously refusing to let the opposing team touch even an inch of end zone turf. But how did these Tigers, commandeered by returning third-year head coach Justin Fuente, pull out such an unexpected margin of victory?

Memphis played with passion, and maybe with a little fire under its seat.

In 2013, fans saw these Tigers score just 234 points against their opponents. Their quarterly scoring totals looked a little something like this:

Q1: 40 pts   |   Q2: 49 pts   |   Q3: 54 pts   |   Q4: 91 pts

Memphis must not have received the memo explaining that one of the keys to winning competitions in the AAC includes operating an up-tempo style offense. However, after watching Memphis hang the AP Governors out to dry, there is much certainty that they won’t rinse and repeat their 2013 game plan. Thus far in 2014, the quarterly scoring for the U-of-M is looking much more hopeful:

Q1: 21 pts   |   Q2: 21 pts   |   Q3: 14 pts   |   Q4: 7 pts

This may be the year that fans of these mighty Tigers have been anxiously awaiting. Memphis’ fast-paced offensive front, led by quarterback Paxton Lynch, has made the strives Fuente desperately needed to see. Their scoring has flipped on its head, from a back-heavy four quarters of “action” to an offsides-like first quarter of excitement from the players on both sides of the ball.

What’s more, all 6-feet-and-7-inches of the redshirt sophomore quarterback was on point this past Saturday, as he connected with his receivers on 20-of-27 attempts, resulting in two touchdowns and just one interception for the still-young Memphis captain, according to 247sports.com.

Playing opposite Lynch, senior DB Bobby McCain is yet another rising star on the growing list of top-tier Memphis talent. Through his career with the Tigers, he has snagged eight interceptions, making him one of the most dangerous players on the defensive side of the ball.

I highlight Lynch and McCain for one reason and one reason only: They are the playmakers, the “powers that be”, the forces to be reckoned with, if you will – and I trust that you will – looking forward to the Tigers’ looming brawl with nationally-ranked powerhouse UCLA.

No doubt the first true test of Memphis might be this season, the Bruins are coming off of a truly uninspiring win against the Virginia Cavaliers. Ranked No. 7 in the nation, UCLA boasts one total offensive touchdown – a short scamper from Brett Hundley – and two pick-sixes, each deposited by a unique Bruin defender.

That being said, Lynch has got to be prepared to be the recipient of much defensive heat this weekend, constantly watching his reads and making the most accurate passes of his young career. If he can’t do this, the UCLA defense will have less than an issue chipping away at the concentrated efforts of Lynch and his team on Saturday night.