2010 Memphis Football Page 122
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The University of Memphis
New Orleans Bowl • 2003 MEMPHIS 27 NORTH TEXAS 17 Louisiana Superdome (69,767) December 16, 2003 NEW ORLEANS, La. - The nation’s longest bowl drought of 32 years ended in a big way for the University of Memphis. The Tigers, which had not participated in a bowl game since 1971, received a bid to the 2003 New Orleans Bowl to face Sun Belt Conference champion North Texas after a stellar 8-4 season. The city of Memphis was electrified. Excitement abounded and Tiger faithful began buying tickets and preparing for the trip to the “Big Easy.” Playing in the first bowl game of the 2003 postseason and before a national television audience on ESPN, the Tigers were challenged to stop the nation’s top running back in Patrick Cobbs of UNT. And Memphis would have to succeed without the services of its top tailback, DeAngelo Williams. Following three days of fun and practice, game day finally arrived on December 16. Memphis won the coin toss and deferred until the second half, giving the Mean Green the ball. UNT gave the ball to Cobbs six times on the opening drive, but were forced to call on kicker Nick Bazaldua when the drive stalled at the Tiger 30-yard line. Bazaldua booted a 47-yard field goal for the UNT 3-0 lead. But this night belonged to the bowl-hungry Tigers and the North Texas lead was short-lived. After U of M receiver Chris Kelley returned the kickoff to the Memphis 34-yard line, junior quarterback and New Orleans native Danny Wimprine took over. When rushes by Darron White and Derron Parquet failed to gain yardage, Wimprine went up top and connected with wideout Darren Garcia for 63 yards to the UNT 6-yard line. Three plays later, Wimprine kept the ball and raced seven yards into the end zone for the go-ahead score. The Tiger defense, having had a taste of the North Texas offense, returned to the field determined to shut down the Mean Green. Three plays later, punter Brad Kadlubar kicked the ball back to the Tigers. But possible disaster struck on the Tigers’ next possession as tailback Parquet was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury. Memphis was forced to put the ball in
the hands of walk-on back LaKendus Cole to win the game. Midway through the second quarter, North Texas was forced to punt and the Memphis offense got the ball at the Memphis 24. Powered by the running of Cole and the passing of Wimprine, the Tigers drove the ball to the UNT 10-yard line before Wimprine found Kelley in the end zone for the team’s second score of the game. Stephen Gostkowski added the extra point, and the Tiger lead was 14-3. Lightning soon struck again. On the ensuing kickoff, Memphis’ Shaka Hill stripped the ball from returner Kevin Moore and Cato Mott recovered at the UNT 8-yard line. After three plays, Gostkowski was called on and connected on a 21-yard field goal. The Tigers went to the locker room with a 17-3 halftime lead. The third stanza of the game became a defensive battle, and both teams were unable to move the ball until the two-minute mark. The Mean Green, starting near midfield, marched 58 yards in six plays with Cobbs going the final 35 yards for their first touchdown of the night. Suddenly the score read
Memphis 17, North Texas 10 as the third quarter ended. With 12:28 left in the contest, Memphis regained the ball at its own 38-yard line. Wimprine hit receiver Darron White for 20 yards, and fullback Robert Douglas gained three on his first carry of the game. After a facemask penalty against UNT, Cole had gains of two yards and 14 yards to the Mean Green 5-yard line. On second-and-goal, the sophomore from Houston High in Memphis burst up the middle for the touchdown and a 24-10 lead. It was Cole’s first collegiate touchdown and gave Memphis an insurmountable lead. North Texas fought hard, and with 2:26 left in the game, scored again on Cobb’s run of two yards. But the Tigers immediately pushed the Mean Green down field for another score. This one iced the victory that had been so long awaited. With Cole gaining yards on the ground and Wimprine connecting with receivers Mario Pratcher and John Doucette, Memphis moved within field goal range, and Gostkowski brought on the celebration with a 42-yard kick. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the players gave head coach Tommy West the traditional cooler bath and then carried their coach onto the field on their shoulders. New Orleans Bowl director Ron Maestri presented the Tigers the championship trophy at midfield, and Wimprine was named the game’s MVP. LaKendus Cole was presented the game ball by Coach West after rushing for 62 yards and one score in a reserve role. Memphis completed the 2003 season with a record of 9-4, marking the best finish by a Tiger team since the 1963 season.
SCORING SUMMARY Memphis 7 10 0 10 -- 27 North Texas 3 0 7 7 -- 17 UNT UM UM UM UNT UM UNT UM
(9:44 re 1st) Bazaldua 47 FG (6:57 re 1st) Wimprine 7 run (Gostkowski kick) (4:58 re 2nd) Kelley 10 pass from Wimprine (Gostkowski kick) (3:39 re 2nd) Gostkowski 21 FG (00:13 re 3rd) Cobbs 35 run (Bazaldua kick) (9:08 re 4th) Cole 5 run (Gostkowski kick) (7:13 re 4th) Cobbs 2 run (Bazaldua kick) (2:26 re 4th) Gostkowski 42 FG
TEAM STATS
First Downs Rushes-Yds. Passing Yds. KO Returns-Yds. Passes (C-A-I) Punts-Avg. Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yds. Time of Possession Sacks by
UM
15 45-88 254 4-69 17-24-0 6-38.7 0-0 9-57 34:08 3-13
H istory
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Ta il b a c k L a K e n d u s Co l e r ecei v ed the game ball for his efforts in the 2 003 New Orleans Bowl. 2010 Memphis Football Fact Book
UNT
11 33-122 152 4-61 9-21-0 8-37.3 1-1 6-61 25:52 1-1
Rushing: UM-Cole 27-62-1, Parquet 3-90, White 4-8-0, Wimprine 6-17-1, Avery 2-3-0, Douglas 1-3-0; UNT-Cobbs 23-110-2, Branch 2-10-0, Hall 8-2-0. Passing: UM-Wimprine 17-23-0-254-1; UNT-Hall 9-21-0-152-0. Receiving: UM-D.White 3-34-0, Scott 1-8-0, Garcia 2-109-0, Pratcher 2-62-0, Avery 3-14-0, Doucette 2-14-0, Kelley 1-10-1, Cole 3-3-0; UNT-Quinn 4-56-0, Branch 3-50-0, Blount 2-46-0. Interceptions: UM-0; UNT-0 Attendance: 25,184 (weather- temp 72 degrees indoor, wind - none).