2010 Memphis Football P a g e 11 9
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The University of Memphis
R e tir e d J e rs e ys Since the University of Memphis first fielded an intercollegiate football team in 1912, only four jerseys have been retired. Those jerseys - 8, 30, 83 and 20 - were worn by four outstanding individuals who helped make Tiger football what it is today. The latest jersey to be retired was that of All-American tailback DeAngelo Williams, who was honored during the 2006 season.
#8 CHARLES G R EE N H I L L Charles Greenhill was called the “most talented football player ever to come out of Memphis, Tennessee.” The multi-talented Greenhill prepped at Frayser High School, where he lettered for three years in football, basketball and track. He played for the Tigers just one year (1983) before being killed in a plane crash with former head coach Rex Dockery and offensive coordinator Chris Faros. A defensive back, Greenhill had 20 tackles that season, including 13 solo stops. Greenhill was also a dandy return man for the Tigers. The 6-2 speedster returned a kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati and went on to average 29.8 yards per return. Following his death, Firestone Stadium, which was the home field for Frayser High, was renamed Charles Greenhill Stadium.
#20 DeANGELO WILLIAMS
DeAngelo Williams came to the University of Memphis from nearby Wynne, Arkansas, and became one of the most decorated players in Tiger history. Named to several All-America teams during his career, Williams was a key factor in the Tigers going to three straight bowl games for the first time ever in school history. He rewrote the rushing section of the Tiger record book and finished his career with 6,026 yards and 55 rushing touchdowns on 969 carries. In addition, he caught five touchdowns and registered 723 receiving yards on 70 receptions. Williams played as a true freshman in 2002 and later was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team. He went on to claim C-USA Offensive Player of the Year honors the other three seasons of his career. He was also touted for Heisman honors entering his senior season with the Tigers, and held true to the publicity ending his senior campaign ranked No. 1 nationally in rushing with an average of 178.55 yards per game. During his storied career, Williams set an NCAA record with 34 games of 100-plus yards rushing, and ranks fourth all-time in NCAA history in career rushing yards with 6,026. He also holds the NCAA record for career all-purpose yards with 7,573. In addition to multiple league honors, Williams also received various national awards and recognition. He was named to the prestigious Walter Camp All-America Team; was a finalist for the 2005 Doak Walker Award; and was the MVP of both the 2005 Motor City Bowl and the 2006 Senior Bowl to name a few. The speedy back was selected by the Carolina Panthers as the 27th pick of the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.
#30 DAVE CASINELLI
Isaac Bruce came to the Memphis football team as a wide receiver in 1992. The junior college transfer made an immediate impact with the Tigers. Coupled with junior college quarterback Steve Matthews, Bruce helped give the U of M one of the nation’s top passing attacks. He started all 11 games as a junior and was the team’s second-leading receiver with 39 catches for 532 yards and five touchdowns. However, it was the 1993 campaign that caught the attention of pro scouts. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native opened the 1993 season with seven catches for 112 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ win over Mississippi State. He added 147 yards against East Carolina, 109 in a contest against Arkansas State, 108 in the Tulsa game and had over 90 yards receiving in five additional contests. Bruce finished the 1993 season with a school-record 74 catches for 1,054 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 74 catches and 1,054 yards remain Memphis football records and his 10 touchdown receptions is fourth. Bruce was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Rams in 1994. He played 14 seasons for the Rams and was signed by the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. He retired following the 2009 season, and In 16 years in the NFL, Bruce amassed 15,208 receiving yards and 91 touchdowns on 1,024 receptions. Bruce’s Memphis jersey was retired in a ceremony at Liberty Bowl Memorial Field on October 4, 2003.
2010 Memphis Football Fact Book
H istory
Dave Casinelli, who was Memphis’ all-time leading rusher until recently when DeAngelo Williams took the record book by storm, was recruited to Memphis in 1960 from Follansbee, W.Va., where he received all-America honors as a senior in high school. Casinelli played at Memphis from 196063 and ended his career by leading the nation in rushing and scoring, while guiding the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1963. During his first year as a starter, Casinelli led Memphis in rushing with 646 yards on 117 carries. His nine touchdowns in 1961 also led the Tigers. As a junior, “The Bull” gained 826 yards on 173 attempts while scoring 11 touchdowns. In his record-breaking senior year, Casinelli became the first Tiger to rush for 1,000 yards in a singleseason when he tallied 1,016 on 219 attempts in 1963. His 1,016 yards ranked him first among all NCAA rushers and his 14 touchdowns helped him capture the national scoring title. Following graduation, Casinelli became a successful businessman in Memphis and Tallahassee, Fla. Casinelli later lost his life in a car accident in 1987.
#83 ISAAC BRUCE