The Blues Bowl I
The energy in the athletic department is running high after the Huskies defeat the Florida Gators in men’s basketball on a buzzer beater, win at #1 UCLA in the soccer tournament and win a national championship in women’s field hockey.
This weekend, we end the season hosting the University of FedEx. They have been Louisville’s and Cincinnati’s mortal enemies for decades until now, when Louisville gets ahead of both. But Yale alumnus, Skull and Bones member, and founder of FedEx, Frederick W. Smith, will not let UMemphis be left behind.
Coming from nearby Merks, Mississippi, Smith has made a life for himself in the city of Memphis. While some may laugh at AAC members, their backing is not to be underestimated. Funny as it may sound, one of East Carolina’s prominent graduates is Vince McMahon, owner of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Memphis’ most played rivalry is against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, going back to 1935. The Golden Eagles lead the series, 40-22-1. Ever major rival leads Memphis in their series. The UAB Blazers are even ahead, 10-5. Nonetheless, the residents of Memphis, Tennessee, loyally support their beloved football program. They do play in a stadium that hosts an annual bowl game and was host to failed professional football attempts, going back to the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League, between 1974 and 1975. That franchise managed to lure prominent members of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Memphis is continuing it’s history of putting ineptitude on the football field. They lost to Temple at home last weekend, 41-21. Temple QB P.J. Walker took out his anger over second half comeback losses to UCF and UConn on Memphis’ secondary. Altogether, the team is not strong this year. Their QB does not produce much through the air nor much on the ground. People say Temple is weak? Who won last week? Enough said.
UConn is continuing it’s history of being scrappy. We lost 9 to start the season and have won the last two. The team may have finally found an offensive identity. Casey Cochran will be remembered as the quarterback who saved us from a complete downfall. The players have managed to gather themselves together, with the guidance of a sleeveless TJ Weist, to put together 6 quarters of excellent football. The key to the game is to control Memphis’s running game. Their strength is far more on the ground than through the air.
Memphis is not to be thrown aside as an easy win. They will be hosting Ole Miss and Tennessee in 2017. Despite their struggles throughout their history, they are a determined program. The cold weather will be a new challenge for them and perhaps a huge advantage for us in this game.
Good luck to the football team. Help us get FedExed out of the AAC. Despite the rough times, it has been a memorable season.
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