Calkins: On a sweet, surreal night at the Liberty Bowl, Memphis opens its pandemic season with a win
Tigers fans sit masked and socially distanced during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept. 5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Rodrigues Clark (2) breaks a tackle from Arkansas State linebacker Caleb Bonner (22) on his way to a touchdown during the Tigers' home opener at the Liberty Bowl Sept.5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kylan Watkins (17)breaks a tackle from Arkansas State linebacker Fred Harvey(24) on his way to a touchdown during the Tigers' home opener at the Liberty Bowl Sept.5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Damante Coxie (10) celebrates with temmates after scoring a touchdown during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept.5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (3) throws a pass during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept.5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis cornerback Sylvonta Oliver (11) goes up for an interception during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept. 5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis defensive end John Cartwright (95) rushes the passer during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept. 5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Damante Coxie (10) just misses a pass from quarterback Brady White (3) pass during the Tigers' home opener against Arkansas State at the Liberty Bowl Sept. 5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kylan Watkins (17) breaks a tackle from Arkansas State linebacker Fred Harvey (24) on his way to a touchdown during the Tigers' home opener at the Liberty Bowl Sept.5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis tight end Sean Dykes (5) dodges an Arkansas State defender during the Tigers' home opener at the Liberty Bowl Sept. 5, 2020. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
The band was masked, the stadium was nearly empty of fans. But the Tigers won a football game at the Liberty Bowl Saturday night. For now, that will have to do.
Topics
Memphis Tigers Memphis vs. Arkansas State Memphis Football Geoff Calkins Subscriber Only college football Liberty Bowl Brady WhiteThank you for supporting local journalism.
Subscribers to The Daily Memphian help fund our not-for-profit newsroom of nearly 40 local journalists plus more than 20 freelancers, all of whom work around the clock to cover the issues impacting our community. Subscriptions - and donations - also help fund our community access programs which provide free access to K-12 schools, community organizations, and more. Thank you for making our work possible.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Strickland rolls out police reform group
Mayor Jim Strickland rolled out a 13-member group Wednesday, Sept. 2, to make what he termed “substantive, realistic and measurable” recommendations on police reform. It's the second phase of the administration's effort and includes some critics of City Hall's response thus far.
COVID-19 makes first U of M home game like no other
On Saturday night, Memphis and Arkansas State will play a college football game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium but ESPN's announcers will be in a Bristol, Connecticut, studio. But this is what it takes to make college football happen.
Memphis defense buckles down, but it wasn’t an easy win against Arkansas State
Down multiple starters, the Tigers' defense made a key adjustment, and some well-timed offense led to a successful season opener and coach Ryan Silverfield's first victory.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.