....According to the local Memphis paper (The Commercial Appeal)
Tigers lose Avery to injury
Receiver tears ligament, is likely out for season
November 18, 2003
University of Memphis receiver Maurice Avery, who has emerged as one of Tiger quarterback Danny Wimprine's favorite targets, will miss the final two games of the season - including Saturday's home game against Cincinnati - and possibly the team's bowl appearance.
Avery, a sophomore from Atlanta, tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while running a reverse in the second half of Saturday's 37-7 Conference USA victory over Louisville. An MRI Monday confirmed what team doctors had feared: The injury will sideline Avery for three to four weeks.
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Two likely bowl opportunities for the Tigers - the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and the New Orleans Bowl - will be played roughly four weeks from today.
"Maurice has been a big-play receiver for us all year," Wimprine said. "We put in plays to get him the ball downfield or to get him the ball quick. He was someone who got a lot of yards after the catch."
Avery, 6-1 and 210 pounds, had prospered this season after making the switch from quarterback, becoming a consistent big-play threat for one of the nation's top offenses. Avery ranks among the top receivers in C-USA in receptions per game (4.6) and yards per game (72.8) and leads the Tigers with 46 catches for 728 yards and eight touchdowns.
"If we have to play without Maurice, that's a big blow to us," said Tiger coach Tommy West. "He has given us a toughness at that position that we really needed, a guy that would not only block, but get you four, five or six extra yards on toughness."
It's a toughness that Avery displayed Monday shortly after undergoing the MRI. Upon arriving back on campus, he talked about trying to play the final games of the season through whatever pain he would encounter. But the Tigers will not have Avery in the lineup again this season unless the U of M is invited to the Hawaii Bowl, the Fort Worth Bowl or the AXA Liberty Bowl, three C-USA affiliated postseason games held on or after Dec. 23.
In Saturday's game, Avery was held to one catch, but it went for 55 yards and set up a second-quarter Stephen Gostkowksi field goal.
Considered one of the team's prime playmakers, Avery has turned in a big play in practically all of the Tigers' 10 games.
He had a 51-yard touchdown catch against East Carolina. He scored twice the week before at Tulane. He also scored twice at Houston, including once on a 55-yard TD reception.
He had 45-yard catches in losses to UAB and Mississippi State and a key 31-yard TD grab shortly before the half in a win over Ole Miss.
"He is a big-play guy who gives you that rare (combination) of size, strength and speed," said receivers coach Clay Helton. "He's one of about five or six guys that we think can make huge plays for us.
"In that slot position (he played) we get matched up a lot on linebackers and safeties, and he's a good enough route runner, and so powerful out of the cut, that he wins a lot of those matchups. And if there's a jump ball, he's going to out-physical most everybody he goes up against. He has unbelievable ball skills. You rarely see him drop a ball."
His versatility came into play, too. On several occasions this season, the Tigers inserted Avery at quarterback, giving them an additional running threat. Avery has 95 yards on 22 carries.
To replace Avery, the Tigers will look to Darron White and Chris Kelley. White is second to Avery in receiving yards (32 catches, 442 yards) and fourth on the team in rushing (106 yards, three touchdowns).
"I've got a lot of confidence in Darron White," West said. "I think Darron can step in. He's had a great year.
"Chris Kelley has to step in and be a productive player for us."
Kelley has six catches in seven games, including three last weekend against Louisville.
"Scheme-wise we'll have to come up with a couple of new wrinkles to keep people off balance," West said. "And you know me, I'm confident we can do that."
.........This could hurt the Tigers big play threat......The Cincy defense will be able to load the box in order to stop DeAngelo Williams running attack.......(although let's not forget that Danny Wimprine-QB likes to spread the ball out quite a bit....he hit 9 different receivers in the Louisville game alone)...
Tigers lose Avery to injury
Receiver tears ligament, is likely out for season
November 18, 2003
University of Memphis receiver Maurice Avery, who has emerged as one of Tiger quarterback Danny Wimprine's favorite targets, will miss the final two games of the season - including Saturday's home game against Cincinnati - and possibly the team's bowl appearance.
Avery, a sophomore from Atlanta, tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while running a reverse in the second half of Saturday's 37-7 Conference USA victory over Louisville. An MRI Monday confirmed what team doctors had feared: The injury will sideline Avery for three to four weeks.
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Two likely bowl opportunities for the Tigers - the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and the New Orleans Bowl - will be played roughly four weeks from today.
"Maurice has been a big-play receiver for us all year," Wimprine said. "We put in plays to get him the ball downfield or to get him the ball quick. He was someone who got a lot of yards after the catch."
Avery, 6-1 and 210 pounds, had prospered this season after making the switch from quarterback, becoming a consistent big-play threat for one of the nation's top offenses. Avery ranks among the top receivers in C-USA in receptions per game (4.6) and yards per game (72.8) and leads the Tigers with 46 catches for 728 yards and eight touchdowns.
"If we have to play without Maurice, that's a big blow to us," said Tiger coach Tommy West. "He has given us a toughness at that position that we really needed, a guy that would not only block, but get you four, five or six extra yards on toughness."
It's a toughness that Avery displayed Monday shortly after undergoing the MRI. Upon arriving back on campus, he talked about trying to play the final games of the season through whatever pain he would encounter. But the Tigers will not have Avery in the lineup again this season unless the U of M is invited to the Hawaii Bowl, the Fort Worth Bowl or the AXA Liberty Bowl, three C-USA affiliated postseason games held on or after Dec. 23.
In Saturday's game, Avery was held to one catch, but it went for 55 yards and set up a second-quarter Stephen Gostkowksi field goal.
Considered one of the team's prime playmakers, Avery has turned in a big play in practically all of the Tigers' 10 games.
He had a 51-yard touchdown catch against East Carolina. He scored twice the week before at Tulane. He also scored twice at Houston, including once on a 55-yard TD reception.
He had 45-yard catches in losses to UAB and Mississippi State and a key 31-yard TD grab shortly before the half in a win over Ole Miss.
"He is a big-play guy who gives you that rare (combination) of size, strength and speed," said receivers coach Clay Helton. "He's one of about five or six guys that we think can make huge plays for us.
"In that slot position (he played) we get matched up a lot on linebackers and safeties, and he's a good enough route runner, and so powerful out of the cut, that he wins a lot of those matchups. And if there's a jump ball, he's going to out-physical most everybody he goes up against. He has unbelievable ball skills. You rarely see him drop a ball."
His versatility came into play, too. On several occasions this season, the Tigers inserted Avery at quarterback, giving them an additional running threat. Avery has 95 yards on 22 carries.
To replace Avery, the Tigers will look to Darron White and Chris Kelley. White is second to Avery in receiving yards (32 catches, 442 yards) and fourth on the team in rushing (106 yards, three touchdowns).
"I've got a lot of confidence in Darron White," West said. "I think Darron can step in. He's had a great year.
"Chris Kelley has to step in and be a productive player for us."
Kelley has six catches in seven games, including three last weekend against Louisville.
"Scheme-wise we'll have to come up with a couple of new wrinkles to keep people off balance," West said. "And you know me, I'm confident we can do that."
.........This could hurt the Tigers big play threat......The Cincy defense will be able to load the box in order to stop DeAngelo Williams running attack.......(although let's not forget that Danny Wimprine-QB likes to spread the ball out quite a bit....he hit 9 different receivers in the Louisville game alone)...
