After an eight-month offseason, the Memphis Tigers football team returned to the field Saturday with a matchup against the Chattanooga Mocs. Coming off an 11-2 season and ending the year ranked No. 24 in the country, the Tigers looked to carry that momentum into this season with a win.
Hours before kickoff, Tiger fans gathered at Tiger Lane for tailgating and fellowship. Among the sea of blue and gray was Frank Johnson, 64, a retired teacher who has been a Tiger fan for 50 years. Johnson has made it a tradition to tailgate the first game of every season and believes the gatherings help bring the community together.
“I’ve tailgated at every season opener for the past 15 years,” Johnson said. “The way fans come together from all over the city to celebrate the Tigers every season is a beautiful sight.”
While some Tiger fans are regulars at Tiger Lane, others experienced their first taste of game day festivities. University of Memphis senior Jalonnie Spears said he wanted to make the most of his last semester before graduation.
“I’ve never been to Tiger Lane before a football game and I wanted to be a part of this experience before I graduated,” said Spears, an exercise science major. “I wish I would’ve come to more tailgates in my earlier semesters, but I’m happy I decided to come this season.”
The Tigers went on to face the Chattanooga Mocs at 3:30 p.m. at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
