July 8, 2002

Two members of the 2002 Tiger football team, Jimond Pugh and Dante Brown, received preseason football honors when they were named to The Football News preseason All-Conference USA Team.

Pugh, who was selected by league coaches to their preseason All-CUSA team in June, was again tabbed by The Football News. The U of M center, Pugh has started 22 consecutive games for the Tigers and enters his senior season with more starts than any other active Tiger player. He has played 1,402 snaps over the past two seasons and is expected to be the Tiger starter again this fall.

Brown, who came to Memphis as a junior college transfer in 2001, led the team in rushing with 902 yards. The Georgia native scored a team high 11 rushing touchdowns and 12 total for the season. His 902 yards rushing rank as the fourth highest single season total in school history and his 11 rushing touchdowns tie for the third highest total in Tiger annuals. Brown set a Memphis record for touchdowns in a game with four against Houston. He was named second team All-Conference USA in 2001.