Tigers Finally Bowl Bound

Memphis Tigers head coach Justin Fuente has team going in the right direction

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis, TN - The University of Memphis Tigers (6-3, 4-1 in American Athletic Conference) have finally gained some respectability that has eluded the program over the last six years -- reaching a bowl game. And the Tigers have their head man to praise for the turnaround.

Justin Fuente, a former TCU Offensive Coordinator in his third year, has the Tigers riding high and a buzz around the football team that hasn't been seen since the recent glory days of former Tigers All-Amercia standout and Carolina Panther running back DeAngelo Williams. No, they don't have those type of caliber players anymore, but this version of the Tigers can sure flat out play.

Though Friday night's 16-13 last second victory over Temple wasn't as an impressive of a win as most have been for the Tigers, they do rank 13th nationally in total defense, giving up an average of 18.7 points per game and 39th in offense -- averaging a solid 34.0 points per game. Now that’s a far cry from previous years when both offense and defense struggled to score and keep others from scoring during Fuente's first couple of years in Memphis, along with his predecessor Larry Porter.

But its not just Fuente's play-calling that has the Tigers climbing. Memphis a deep core of talented receivers that average over 10 yards per catch -- led by Tevin Jones, former Alabama signee Keiwone Malone and Phil Mayhue -- the Tigers' new deep threat. Also, Memphis' running game is pretty deep too. Not only does sixth-year running back Brandon Hayes have five touchdowns on the season, but quarterback Paxton Lynch -- a 6-foot 7-inch dual threat QB, also has found the end zone seven times. The Tigers also have four guys who have rushed for at least 230 yards this season, and all four guys have scored three TD's or more.

We haven't even gotten started on the defense. Memphis has two standout performers on that side of the ball in senior cornerback Bobby McCain (3 Interceptions) and redshirt senior defensive lineman Martin Ifedi -- whom NFL scouts are raving about. These two guys are the anchors on both the defensive line and in the secondary respectively, and shouldn't be taken lightly when it comes to evaluating who can play on Sundays.

So when you look at it, the Memphis Tigers are hopefully starting to click on all cylinders at the right time of the year, especially when they are favored in the last three games of the season, and all opponents are all bottom feeders of the AAC. So when it’s all said and done, Fuente should be the guy for the long haul to turn this once downtrodden, almost defunct program into a national powerhouse in the very near future. Get ready for some great football memories, Memphis.