Tigers finish strong in summer scrimmage
Memphis gearing up for 202 season opener with Arkansas State
gotigersgo.com MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Sunday marked the last day of fall camp. The team broke down film from the first scrimmage on Saturday and then came out in a helmet only Sunday practice. Monday marked the first day of classes at the University of Memphis and the Tigers move into the NCAA-mandated 20hour practice week.
For the first time since hoisting the American Athletic Conference Championship trophy on the field, the Tiger football team returned to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for a Saturday scrimmage.
The scrimmage saw big plays on both sides of the ball as the staff set up the team to go ones versus ones, twos versus twos and threes versus threes before mixing it up and adding some special teams work.
The team donned just shells on Friday afternoon for a shortened practice leading into the first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday. Saturday's practice at the Liberty Bowl would normally have been the team's Fan Fest.
Instead, the team will practice in an empty Liberty Bowl, a challenge Head Coach Ryan Silverfield will show the coaching staff which players can bring their own energy in preparation for a season that may see Memphis playing in front of reduced crowd sizes.
“We're not going to play music, we're not going to have fans in the stands, all those things that younger players sometimes need to get fired up,” Silverfield stated. “Instead, we'll see who can bring it and get themselves motivated to play at a high level.”
The weekend practices were the final two of camp before the University of Memphis started fall semester classes on Monday. The nine-day training camp is a first, but one that Silverfield feels his players handled well.
“I think as coaches, we are so used to getting into a routine, so that's been a challenge. But our players have done wonderful in adjusting as we go and just focusing on whatever moment we are in, whether it's in a meeting, a walkthru or practice.”
Memphis opens its 2020 season on Saturday, Sept.
5, against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State University.
