What we learned from Tigers spring game
Tailgating was back. Memphis football was back. And for the first time since December 2019, the atmosphere around Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday night resembled a normal football game.
Here’s what we learned from the spring game as fans got to look at the quarterback competition for the first time.
Quarterbacks solid, not risky
With a four-man rotation, the quarterbacks did just enough to get things going. Keilon
Brown opened the game and was followed on each series by Peter Parrish, Grant Gunnell and Seth Henigan.
Gunnell had the only touchdown pass with a 9-yarder to Calvin Austin III. Henigan, who graduated from high school in January, ran for a 1-yard touchdown to end an 11-play drive. Brown looked the most comfortable, which was expected given his familiarity with the offense.
Brown also showed off his legs on a few runs. But he and Parrish each had an interception.
Run game emphasized
It wasn’t surprising the Tigers wanted to run often because that was an issue last season. But it was good to see it look effective at times.
Marquavius Weaver had a physical 19-yard run before following it up with a 16-yard touchdown run. Brandon Thomas had some hard runs in the first period. Rodrigues Clark had mostly solid carries but broke off a run of at least 5 yards in the final period, including a stiffarm on a defender.
Kylan Watkins did not play but was on the sideline. The only concern was the lack of explosive plays but Thomas and Weaver impressed the most.
Sharp secondary
Rodney Owens had an interception on Parrish’s first pass as he had no trouble adjusting to nickel back. During the third period, Greg Rubin intercepted a long pass by Gunnell and the White Station alum got his first taste of the Turnover Belt.
But the best interception celebration came from newcomer Julian Barnett. On Brown’s third series, Barnett sat back and followed his eyes before leaping to pick off the pass.
The Michigan State transfer ran to the sideline as teammates swarmed and then introduced him to Tigers fans with four words in a sideline interview.
“Julian Barnett is here!” he yelled. Yes, he is.
Newcomers to watch
With Javon Ivory out with injury, wide receiver Ka’dedrick Richardson stepped up with some nice catches. The Whitehaven alum, who spent last season at Western Illinois, has good size at 6-foot-1 and showed off good hands.
On defense, freshman Jared Nedd broke through for a tackle for loss. La’andre Thomas, in his first action since 2019, looked comfortable at defensive back rotating with Sylvonta Oliver and Jacobi Francis.
Overall impressions
The Tigers’ defense didn’t give up many big plays but with defensive lineman Morris Joseph and linebacker Xavier Cullens out, the defensive line got pushed around a bit up front. They get a B-minus for mostly bending but more for the secondary getting three takeaways.
As for the offense? It was safe but effective. That’s to be expected with competition at quarterback and running back. The offensive line did its job creating holes and looked improved from last season. But overall, the offense showed why the quarterback and running back competition will continue into the fall.
Both are works in progress and they didn’t give hope for things being more explosive. But the team Tigers fans saw Friday will look radically different five months from now when the 2021 season begins.