Time comes, it’ll come.”
Pollard says he’s healthy; looks to turn around slow start to season
The lingering mystery after Memphis’ two games was the quiet play of Tony Pollard.
Why didn’t the junior running back/ wide receiver get more touches against Mercer? Why did he have only one touch against Navy?
Tigers coach Mike Norvell said Saturday that Pollard had been battling minor injuries, but on Monday both he and Pollard said things will be different Friday (6 p.m., ESPN) against Georgia State (1-1).
“This week I’m feeling pretty good and should be able to cut loose,” Pollard said.
Pollard showed flashes of his form in practice, making several catches and going full speed in team drills.
Norvell said he didn’t know until right before kickoff whether Pollard would play against Navy. Pollard was limited to only one carry for 6 yards and was not a factor in the kick return game.
“When you don’t practice throughout the week, it’s hard to be an active part of the game plan of knowing what you can do,” Norvell said of Pollard. “He did get some work (Saturday), and I think it gave him confidence in what he can do.”
In two games, Pollard has 19 total yards on two carries and two catches. His lone kick return against Mercer went for negative-2 yards.
That’s not the way he or anyone else expected the season to start after he made several preseason All-American teams. Pollard admitted it was tough not being able to play at the level that he’s used to, but he gained value in waiting and watching his teammates on the field.
“You just have to be patient and wait on your moment,” Pollard said. “When your time comes, it’ll come.”
A benefit to Pollard’s absence has been the play of freshman Kenny Gainwell, who caught two passes on third down occupying a similar role as a slot receiver that Pollard had been in.
Pollard had helped mentor Gainwell during preseason camp and also said he was impressed with the Tigers’ wealth of pass-catching options. Six players caught at least one pass against Navy.
For an offense that relied heavily on
Anthony Miller the past two years, the balance has been a positive sign of the depth around quarterback Brady White. Pollard said he’s ready to add to that while resuming his pursuit of an NCAA FBS record-tying seventh kickoff return touchdown.
“I’m ready to see myself run. It’s been a minute,” Pollard said.
Brady White’s health a factor against Navy
Norvell said Monday that White’s health might have been a factor in the Tigers not being able to throw the ball downfield against Navy. He added White missed a bit of practice last week for reasons Norvell did not specify.
“Not to say that it affected him a ton, but I do think there’s some things driving the ball that we’ll be better at (this week),” Norvell said.
White looked sharp in practice on Monday.
He threw for 145 yards on 15-of-25 passing against Navy after throwing for 358 yards and five touchdowns in his season debut against Mercer. His longest completion Saturday went for 23 yards.
Darrell Henderson named to AAC Weekly Honor Roll
Darrell Henderson was named to the AAC Weekly Honor Roll after rushing for 212 yards and three touchdowns against Navy, both career highs. In two games, Henderson leads the nation with 13.1 yards per carry.