Tigers Gear Up for Saturdays Blue-Gray Game

After a Tuesday practice which Memphis head coach Justin Fuente said lacked enthusiasm and passion, the Memphis football team came out Thursday and went through a more spirited workout ahead of Saturday's Blue-Gray Game which will be played in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

"I thought we went out to go get better. I told the guys I was very happy with them," Fuente said. "I don't know who won or who got the best of each other but they showed up ready to go get better. That's one in the bank for us. That was a good practice. Good intensity. They flew around. The coaches did a good job of getting them ready. They practiced well today."

Thursday's practice was No. 13 for spring workouts which date back to Feb. 28th. The team will wrap up spring next Tuesday with its final workout.

Fuente said the Tigers have shown glimpses of what he would like to see the team embody but the key is showing consistency.

"It is like I said when we started, we have to change our frame of reference," he said. "It is too easy to set back and say we are better than we were last year. Well, so is our competition. So is our schedule. We have to be prepared for that."

Kickoff for Saturday's annual spring game is set for 12 noon but activities on Tiger Lane will begin at 10 a.m. The team is expected to arrive for Tiger Walk between 11 and 11:15 a.m.

Saturday's game will focus on fundamentals as the coaching staff continues to evaluate each position.

"I want to see us go out and play base offense and base defense verses each other, compete and play hard, smart and tough," Fuente said of Saturday's expectations. "We're not going to show anybody anything. We are not going to go crazy out there. We are going to go out there and run our base stuff. I expect us to go compete and it to be a hard-hitting, physical practice."

On Saturday, fans can enjoy live music along with inflatables for children. Fans can inquire about joining the football program's booster group, The Highland Hundred, which will have an information table set up.

There will also be an opportunity Saturday to renew or purchase season tickets. The Tigers will hold the line on ticket prices for the 2013 season, with no price increase from last year. Season ticket prices begin at $55 and the package is a better value this year as UM heads into the American Athletic Conference and plays seven games in the Liberty Bowl.

After Saturday's spring game, the team will hold a clinic for children in eighth grade and under. The clinic is presented by fred's Super Dollar. There will be an autograph and photo session following the clinic.

Memphis opens the 2013 season at home Sept. 7 when the squad plays host to Duke.