The band played and the cheerleaders cheered to an almost empty student section Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. However, outside the student section, a sea of dedicated Memphis Tiger fans cheered Memphis on while a small patch of green did the opposite.
This was a game of firsts. It was the first Memphis win over the UAB in six years, the first interception for junior defensive lineman Corey Mills and a career-long catch for sophomore receiver Duke Calhoun.
Whistles blew and fans roared as the stadium announcer repeated the names of some of the most exciting Memphis players that night. Senior quarterback Martin Hankins, senior running back Joseph Doss and Calhoun were shouted as some of the crowds' favorites.
Fairly new to the Tiger spotlight, Duke Calhoun excited the crowd. At a towering height of 6 feet 4 inches, Calhoun dominated the field.
"When I'm running, the only thing that is going through my mind is 'go,'" Calhoun said. "'Just go.'"
And "just go" he did.
Catching a total of four passes, Calhoun covered 159 yards - all while dodging, sliding and colliding with UAB players.
In the second quarter, Calhoun ran 70 yards to the 16-yard line as the crowd yelled "Duke."
Prior to the game against UAB, Calhoun had racked up 626 yards and five touchdowns for the season.
But Tiger quarterback Martin Hankins has been a big part of Calhoun's success.
Calhoun is to Hankins as Marvin Harrison is to Peyton Manning. In other words, No. 22 is his go-to guy.
"We have great chemistry on the field," Hankins said. "All of the wide receivers have worked well together."
With the win against UAB, the Tigers have secured a spot to a bowl game, another first experience for the sophomore Calhoun.
"I'll prepare by doing what I'm doing now," he said. "I'll go out and practice. After having sprained my knee, I have to get my speed back."
A Gatorade-soaked Coach Tommy West spoke after the game, "I'm very proud of this program. After everything they went through, they found a way to make themselves a better team."
The victory against UAB ended a six-year losing streak and made the Tigers eligible for bowl season.
"When you lose to the same team six times, you don't care who it is. You're just glad to win," West said. "I'm really pleased with our team right now. We sat here four or five weeks ago, frustrated that we couldn't find a way to get this team playing up to their potential. And now I think they're getting closer to playing to their potential."
As Calhoun prepares for his first possible bowl game, West is confident in his skills.
"Duke's playing really well," he said. "Duke is really consistent with his game. Of course, he's capable of making big plays at any time, but Duke really played better without the ball Saturday. That's the best he's played since he's been there, as far as blocking."
Calhoun and Hankins hope to only get better in the games to come.
"You're unstoppable when you're both on the same page. No defense can ever stop you," Hankins said. "And we're on the same page."
