University of Memphis Athletics
Friday Night Stripes Wraps Up Tigers' Spring at Liberty Bowl
Apr 09, 2015 | Football
Spring scrimmage Friday pits Memphis' offensive unit against defense
Memphis concludes a 15-practice, spring session under the lights of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Friday evening with a spring game which will feature the offense taking on the defense.
Dubbed Friday Night Stripes, this is the second straight year the Tigers have wrapped up spring with a Friday night game. While kickoff is set for 7 p.m., activities begin on Tiger Lane outside the stadium at 5 p.m. The game itself will consist of 12-minute quarters with a running clock.
While the offensive team's scoring opportunites are traditional -- six points for a touchdown, one point for an extra point and three points for a field goal -- the defense will also have a set of scoring opportunities which are expected to make the game highly competitive. The defensive unit will score seven points by forcing a turnover, three points will be given to forcing the offense to go three-and-out and a point will be awarded for a series stop.
"I hope to see both sides of the ball go get after each other," Memphis head coach Justin Fuente said of his expectations for the game. "I want to see them play fast, as well as hard, smart and tough. I really don't care which side wins, I just want to see us go out there and play good, sound football."
In addition to the game, the Tiger Lane block party beginning at 5 p.m. will include a live DJ, a photo booth with free prints, inflatables and children's games, judging of the Highland Hundred BBQ contest and appearances by the Mighty Sound of the South, Pouncer and the Memphis Spirit Squads.
The Memphis Football Team will arrive at Tiger Lane for the traditional Tiger Walk at 6 p.m. and gates to the Liberty Bowl will follow the team's arrival.
Kids ages 12-and-under are invited to take the field with the Tigers prior to kickoff. Parents are asked to bring their children to the top of the south tunnel (underneath the video board) at 6:30 p.m. in order to participate in running through the team tunnel.
At the conclusion of the scrimmage, fans will have an opportunity to join the Tigers on the field for autographs and photos with players and coaches. Officials from the University of Memphis ticket office will also be on hand during the evening's events for those interested in purchasing 2015 season tickets.
"It is a great opportunity for our fans to come out and watch and support our kids," Fuente said of Friday's spring game. "Our kids have worked awfully hard to be a part of this program and help continue to build it. I hope people come and enjoy the day and enjoy all the things that are associated with our spring game."
Memphis went through Practice No. 14 Thursday afternoon at the Murphy Athletic Complex. The workout in light gear was similar to practices held on Thursdays and Fridays of game weeks. It also centered around making sure the team was fresh and ready to go for Friday's game.
Thursday's practice and Friday's game conclude a strange spring practice session for the Memphis players and coaching staff.
The first practice was held in a light, steady rain with temperatures hovering near 40 degrees back on March 1st. The team's first week was then cut short by snow and ice. With two practice days postponed, the Tigers returned from spring break in mid-March and an altered scheduled had the team practicing four times instead of three the first two weeks after the break.
The Tigers also experienced more than their share of injuries during camp.
"It has been interesting how we have had to adjust," Fuente said.
Still the Tigers' head coach has taken enjoyment from the work the team put in during spring workouts.
"Spring practice is the best time for a football coach because it is pure teaching, and team and individual development. And we have a lot of that to do," Fuente said. "This was the weirdest spring I have been around just with the weather and how we have been a little beat up. But when you do get into the meat of it, 15 practices flew by pretty quickly."
Following Friday Night Stripes, the Tigers begin to turn their attention to the Sept. 5th opener against Missouri State. The game is one of six slated for the Liberty Bowl this fall. The home schedule is highlighted by the Sept. 24th American Athletic Conference opener against Cincinnati as well as a nonconference game with Ole Miss on Oct. 17th.
In addition to purchasing season tickets at Friday Night Stripes, fans can go online at gotigersgotix.com to purchase 2015 season tickets.
