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Memphis Notes and Quotes from Saturday practice (Day1) in New Orleans
Dec 14, 2003
Author:
Day One . New Orleans Bowl
Dec. 13, 2003
U of M Athletic Media Relations

The University of Tiger football team braved the elements and practiced
for two hours at the Tulane University athletic facility in preparation
for Tuesday's game with North Texas in the New Orleans Bowl.

Throughout the fall of 2003, the team has adopted a policy of working in
harsh conditions when it would have been easier to stay inside the
Murphy Athletic complex turfroom.

"I knew last winter that this team had a strong work ethic," head coach
Tommy West stated after Saturday's session. "We had a conditioning drill
scheduled last February and it sleeted and snowed overnight. There was
not any traffic on the Memphis streets but every player made it to our
complex on time and we did conditioning drills in the snow. I knew then
that this was a special bunch."

The Memphis team is excited to be participating in their first bowl game
in 32-years and to have reached a goal set down in preseason camp.

"We are happy to be here," said safety Derrick Ballard. "We are having
fun going out and interacting with the other team. This is just another
game for us. We are out here trying to finish the season with another
'W'. We it comes to game day, we are going to tune everything out and
focus on why we are here."

West has mirrored the excitement of his team and Memphis fans over the
past two weeks.

"I want these guys to have fun and enjoy their time here," said Tommy
West. "We gave the guys some time to go out last night, and they are
going to have some time again tonight, but after tonight, we are going
to pull them back and start focusing on the real reason we are here."

On Danny Wimprine: "I know this is exciting for Danny to be playing in
a bowl game back in his hometown. We just need to make sure that he is
not going to try to force things in the game. I worry more that we
didn't do well the last couple games, then I do about him being in New
Orleans. He is going to have to make some plays for us. I expect a lot
out of him, and I expect him to protect the ball in this game. He is
going to have to do that for us to have a chance at a win."

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