Two Tiger Greats to Highlight Friday Night Stripes April 13

By Greg Russell

Jake Elliott tweeted the first shot: "May the best man win." DeAngelo Williams quickly followed with a "Oh, I plan on doing that with ease!"

So will be the epic battle between two former Tiger football greats as Memphis' annual Friday Night Stripes game features alums Williams and Elliott coaching the Main Event on April 13 at the Liberty Bowl.

Elliott won this year's Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, perhaps clinching the game with a 46-yard field goal with 1:10 left that put his team ahead 41-33. He was 3 for 3 on field goals in the game, including the 46-yarder that was the longest field goal made by a rookie in a Super Bowl. While at Memphis, Elliott converted all 202 of his extra point attempts and is the Tigers all-time leader in scoring (445 points).

Williams spent 11 years in the NFL, accumulating 11,056 all-purpose yards, including 8,096 rushing yards and 70 touchdowns. He was an All-American at Memphis, where he set two NCAA records with 34 games of 100-plus yards rushing and 7,573 all-purpose yards.

"The fact those guys wanted to come back and be a part of that night, it's going to be a wonderful showcase," Memphis coach Mike Norvell recently told The Commercial Appeal. "Friday Night Stripes has always been a great turnout, and now to see two of the best that have ever played here are going to square off."

The Tiger Walk will open the night's festivities at 6 p.m. followed by the 7 p.m. contest. The Highland Hundred Booster Club will hold its annual Les Phillips Memorial Golf Tournament at the Colonial Country Club at 7 a.m. Friday morning along with a BBQ contest later in the day. Visit www.highlandhundred.org for information on the golf tournament and BBQ content, and gotigersgo.com for information on the football game.