Calkins: For Memphis football, it’s a hole new ballgame!

By Geoff Calkins – Daily Memphian

September 1, 2024

To enter Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium these days, you have to walk past some trucks. They are big trucks. Impressive trucks — utterly entrancing to a 3-year-old boy.

So not long before kickoff Saturday, 3-year-old Grayson Burgess stared at the magnificence before him. His parents were taking him to a football game. But he got big trucks, to boot.

“What do we call this stadium?” asked Donna Johnson, his grandmother.

Grayson pondered, then brightened.

“The Liberty Bowl!” he said.

“No, but what do I call it now, as a joke?” she prodded.

Grayson didn’t hesitate.

“The Liberty Hole!” he exclaimed.

Out of the mouths of babes.

The Memphis Tigers kicked off a new season in style Saturday, defeating North Alabama, 40-0, in their first game at what some are jokingly calling the “Liberty Hole.”

Before getting into the particulars, consider the objection of one social media follower who wrote, “No. You will not call it that, it will only enable the haters.”

I have little patience for haters of Memphis or Memphis football. But “Liberty Hole” is funny. It is also accurate. And it is certainly more memorable than Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Construction has opened a giant hole in the side of the stadium, and fans got their first real look at it Saturday.

“We’re just having fun,” said Johnson. “And that’s what Memphians do best.”

Everyone seemed to be having fun, starting hours before the game.

“I got here at 6:45 a.m.,” said John Stacy, attending his 167th consecutive home game. “I couldn’t wait.”

But what did he think of the work-in-progress stadium?

“It looks weird,” he said.

That became the theme of the day.

As fans arrived and saw the renovations, they described the scene in similar terms:

“It’s strange.”

“Weird.”

Some even noted an unexpected view through the opening, where the Mid-South Coliseum stood prominently visible, almost as if framed by the construction.

Despite the odd appearance, the stadium impressed.

“I couldn’t believe they were going to play a game in here,” said Susie Alford. “But they did it. I’m actually impressed.”

The crowds moved smoothly. The venue was clean and orderly. It may have been a construction site, but it functioned well.

Attendance was 25,849 — not overwhelming, given expectations — but those who came seemed to enjoy themselves.

On the field, Memphis dominated.

The Tigers scored 31 points in the first half and shut out North Alabama. Quarterback Seth Henigan completed 22 passes to nine different players for 308 yards and two touchdowns. The defense forced three turnovers and preserved the shutout with a late sack.

Still, it wasn’t flawless. Head coach Ryan Silverfield called the kicking game “awful,” and the rushing attack struggled, managing just 64 yards. Running back Sutton Smith also left with an injury.

“It doesn’t look great,” Silverfield said.

That’s football. Attention now turns to the next game, when Troy visits Memphis.

As for the nickname, there may be no avoiding it. After the game, Silverfield was asked about the stadium.

“Hopefully,” he said, “we’ll win a lot of games in the Liberty Hole.”