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Memphis hasn’t played a game since the season-opener on Sept. 5. And SMU head coach Sonny Dykes anticipates the Tigers will make their return nearly a month later on Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Both teams are set to open up American Athletic Conference play.
“I know from talking to our medical people that are talking to their medical people, we anticipate playing the game Saturday," Dykes said. "Beyond that, I don’t know anything at all.”
Memphis announced on Sept. 11 that it had paused football-related activities because of a COVID-19 outbreak in its football program. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that at least 20 people within the program had tested positive for the virus. Additionally, 20 more people were quarantined.
SMU is typically in contact with its opponent two weeks ahead of time to discuss COVID-19 related matters inside each program, Dykes said.
When Dykes said he doesn’t know anything beyond the intention to play, he’s referring to just how healthy Memphis will be. It’s unclear if all the players have returned or if just enough players are healthy to field a team.
The Tigers, now No. 25 in the AP Top 25, defeated Arkansas State to start the season, and had games against Houston and UTSA postponed in the wake of the outbreak.
Memphis didn’t yet respond a question of whether or not they anticipated being able to play on Saturday.
“I don’t know who’s going to play for them," Dykes said. "I don’t know what players are going to be available. I have no idea. And I don’t have any idea in terms of what their depth is or who’s going to be able to play or participate or how long anybody’s been practicing. I don’t think I’ll be privy to any of that information.”
In theory, it should be the toughest test to date for SMU. Memphis put an end to the Mustangs' undefeated season in 2019, on a nationally-relevant game played in Memphis. The Tigers went on to win the division and then the conference. It played in the Cotton Bowl. The expectations for Memphis this season aren’t much different.
Dykes said the team has been game-planning to some extent, trying to think of things it can do that will match up well with Memphis' tendencies, as they do any team. SMU hasn’t been fully engaged in preparing for Memphis. In theory, Memphis has had a long time to focus on SMU.
“I think we’ve gotten better by playing football," Dykes said. "But at the end of the day, they’re going to have a lot of rest, they’re going to be fresh. I would assume they’re going to be injury free. I would assume they’ve had a number of weeks to prepare for us. But at the end of the day, it’s really about us and how we perform.”
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September 28, 2020 at 02:47AM
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SMU anticipates game vs. Memphis to be played; Tigers have had last 2 games called off due to COVID-19 - The Dallas Morning News
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