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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Tommy West (6th season, 32-28) 2005 record: 7-5 (Beat Akron in Motor City Bowl) C-USA finish: 5-3 (t-2nd East) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 5th (267.9 ypg) Passing: 111th (130.0 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 27th (125.6 ypg) Passing: 107th (279.8 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 at Ole Miss Sept. 9 Chattanooga Sept. 16 at East Carolina Sept. 30 Tennessee Oct. 7 at UAB Oct. 14 Arkansas State Oct. 21 Tulsa Oct. 28 at Marshall Nov. 4 Southern Miss Nov. 11 UCF Nov. 18 Houston Nov. 25 at UTEP Depth Chart: Offense 5 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 83 Ryan Scott Sr. 80 Maurice Jones So. WR 14 Earnest Williams So. 89 Carlos Singleton Fr. WR 84 Mario Pratcher Sr. 87 Carlton Robinzine So. LT 54 Willie Henderson Sr. 56 Eric Evans Fr. LG 63 Blake Butler Sr. 74 Jared McGowan Sr. C 66 Stephen Schuh Sr. 93 Philip Beliles So. RG 69 Andy Smith Jr. 70 Michael Denning Jr. RT 71 Brandon Pearce So. 65 Abraham Holloway Jr. TE 85 Brett Russell So. 35 Stacy Jones Fr. QB 13 Martin Hankins Jr. 19 Patrick Byrne Sr. TB 5 Joseph Doss Jr. 3 T.J. Pitts Fr. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DT 41 Corey Mills So. 60 Brandon Douglas So. NG 92 Van Houston Sr. 62 Ryan Williams So. DT 99 Rubio Phillips Sr. 96 Jada Brown Fr. OLB 4 Greg Hinds Jr. 25 Jeremy Rockette Fr. MLB 37 Heath Grant Jr. 15 Michael Spurlock Sr. OLB 30 Quinton McCrary Jr. 55 Mike Snyder Sr. CB 8 Brandon McDonald Sr. 16 Deante’ Lamar Fr. CB 31 Jamaal Rufus Sr. 26 Dustin Lopez Sr. CAT 21 Derek Clenin Sr. 23 Sam Brewer Sr. CAT 36 Rod Smith Jr. 17 Javar Pollard Sr. FS 45 Wesley Smith Sr. 2 Brandon Patterson So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K - Matt Reagan Fr. P 34 Michael Gibson Sr. KR 14 Earnest Williams So. PR 8 Brandon McDonald Sr.

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Memphis head coach Tommy West can joke about it now. He'll talk about how his team overcame a rash of key injuries and health issues to earn a third straight postseason trip and how he's the first victim of 2006.

West, one of the most popular coaches in the program's history, wasn't in as jovial a mood earlier this year. He checked into a Memphis hospital shortly after National Signing Day after earlier tests had revealed problems with his heart.

West underwent triple-bypass surgery, a stunning development for the 51-year-old coach. "I knew at the bowl game (in late December) that something wasn't quite right," West says. "So I went to my doctor and started getting things checked out. When they did the heart cath, it was a lot worse than they had anticipated."

West, however, made a quick recovery and was able to return to the office a month later in order to begin spring practice at its accustomed mid-March slot.

Some have kidded West that he'll need a healthy heart to go through his first season in five years without DeAngelo Williams, the Tigers' All-America running back. Williams shattered the school's rushing records and finished as college football's fourth-leading rusher. As much as he'll miss the charismatic Williams, West is prepared to meet the challenge of replacing his production.

OFFENSE

Memphis coach Tommy West underwent heart surgery in early February but made a quick recovery. He was able to return to the office a month later and begin spring practice at its accustomed mid-March slot.

Some have kidded West that he'll need a strong, healthy heart to go through his first season in five years without All-America running back DeAngelo Williams. As much as he'll miss the charismatic Williams, West is prepared to meet the challenge of replacing his production.

While he doesn't have an All-America candidate in the backfield, he's got the depth, led by junior Joseph Doss, to approximate Williams' numbers. Freshman T.J. Pitts makes his debut after being the prize recruit of the 2005 class.

At quarterback, West has Southeastern Louisiana transfer Martin Hankins stepping in. Hankins will battle incumbents Patrick Byrne and Will Hudgens for the No. 1 job. Byrne and Hudgens were starters during the season a year ago, but broke their legs in the first month and were lost for the year.

For the third straight season, the Tigers will boast an experienced offensive line, one that has allowed only 14 sacks in two years.

DEFENSE

The defensive front should be stronger this year, bolstered by the return of injured linemen Rubio Phillips and Van Houston and the addition of Ole Miss transfers Corey Mills and Jada Brown.

Injuries depleted the line so much a year ago that the Tigers resorted to a two-man front late in the season. This fall, there should be consideration given to using a four-man look.

West would like to get more production from his linebackers. Having Quinton McCrary return should help. Injuries forced McCrary to redshirt last season. If he's healthy and junior Heath Grant plays as well as he did in the spring, West should be in good shape here.

There is an experienced group in the secondary, led by three-time first-team all-league free safety Wesley Smith. Smith is a hard-hitting defensive back who may attract All-America consideration.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski departed after a record-setting career to leave a sizeable void. Incoming freshman Matt Reagan will get an opportunity to take over. Sophomore Trey Adams, the backup last year, and Byrne, who handled kickoffs for the Tigers in 2003 and 2004, also will be considered.

While the Tigers will be grooming a new kicker, senior Michael Gibson returns as one of the nation's top punters. Gibson ranked 11th nationally with a 44.6 average and should make a strong run at the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top punter.

The Tigers didn't have a punt return of more than 15 yards in 2005, and their 4.8-yard average ranked last in the 12-team league.

FINAL ANALYSIS

West has the program making regular postseason appearances, something few thought possible in the late 1990s when Memphis was in the midst of an eight-year losing skid. For West, the challenge to make it four straight postseason trips will be stiff with the loss of Williams.

The coach is confident the Tigers can survive Williams' absence. There's depth at quarterback, running back, receiver, on both the offensive and defensive lines and in the secondary. Hankins' ability to make all the throws required in the team's spread offense should make the offense one of the best in C-USA.