MEMPHIS - During a season in which the University of Memphis football team has struggled, there have been few bright spots.
And then there's been senior receiver Duke Calhoun.
In a spread offense-dominated Conference USA paced by a nationally ranked Houston leading the nation in passing at 422 yards per game, Calhoun stands out. Entering Saturday's game at Tennessee, Calhoun, the former Raleigh-Egypt High multi-sport star, is leading C-USA in receiving at 95.5 yards per game.
Hampered by a knee injury that required him to wear a brace for most of the 2008 season, Calhoun is prospering in the final season of his record-breaking career. Through eight games, he has caught 50 passes for 764 yards and is averaging 15.3 yards per reception.
''Duke is a great example of a guy who was going to have a great year no matter what,'' Tigers coach Tommy West said. ''He has had a great focus about him and has played that way.
''He is a different player than he's ever been. He's played through injuries. He has been on a mission."
West said the school's career leader in receptions (194) and yards (2,822) has been good in every facet of playing the position.
''Duke's played well with the ball, without the ball, he's blocked, he's carried out fakes on reverses. He has played more physical than he's ever played, he's played faster than he's ever played. He's been really good.''
Calhoun's nine catches in last week's 38-19 loss to East Carolina gave him the second 50-catch season of his career. He has caught at least one pass in each of his 45 career games. He also had touchdown receptions in five consecutive games until the streak was snapped in the loss to ECU.
''That's as good as we've had a wide receiver play,'' West said.
A soft-spoken prankster, Calhoun said he hasn't been satisfied with how he's played. He admits he could have played better and said ''there's room to get better . . . every game, every practice.''
He leads the Tigers with nine plays of at least 20 yards, including the season's three longest plays: touchdown receptions of 85, 80 and 61 yards from quarterback Tyler Bass. He also had a 51-yard catch against Central Florida from Will Hudgens.
''The older you get, the better you get,'' Hudgens, a sixth-year senior, said of Calhoun. ''The more experience you have, the more the game slows down.
''He is also so much better at reading coverages. He knows when to sit a route down and he knows when to stretch it. He practices a lot better. He's grown up.''
Calhoun said expects to increase his speed, especially in the offseason when he begins intense training in advance of the NFL draft.
''In high school I was always running,'' Calhoun said. ''It was football, then basketball, then track. I was always using my legs. Since I got to college, I've been focusing on one sport. I don't do as much running as I did. So I think I can get faster.''
Notebook: West said he expects linebacker Greg Jackson to return after missing the East Carolina game with a leg bruise and shoulder sprain. ... Two players injured against ECU - defensive back D.A. Griffin (ankle) and defensive end Jada Brown (neck) - will miss the game. Linebacker Derrick Odom (groin) will not play the rest of the season. He appeared in only two games (Ole Miss and Central Florida).
Phil Stukenborg can be reached at 901-529-2543.
Scripps Interactive Newspaper Group
©2009 The E.W. Scripps Co.