After what transpired near the tunnel leading to the locker rooms at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday, perhaps it’s time to proceed with plans to build that new locker room on the opposite end of the stadium.

Some Ole Miss fans gathered at the mouth of the south tunnel leading to BOTH locker rooms at the stadium. The Rebel fans had come to the congested area to cheer their team as it exited the bus and walked to the locker room.

But Memphis arrived first and, according to Tiger coach Tommy West, some of the Rebel fans harassed his team as it walked to the locker room. West responded, defending his team and, at the same time, offending some younger Rebel fans.

Since the stadium opened in the mid-1960s, both locker rooms have been in the same tunnel, creating a potentially dangerous setting, not only as the teams arrive at the stadium, but as they exit at halftime and at the end of the game. It’s remarkable there haven’t been more incidents in those crowded conditions.

There were plans in place a few years ago to renovate an existing building near the north tunnel for the U of M. If the city decides not to build a new stadium and renovate Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium instead, hopefully a Memphis locker room — in the north tunnel — will be a priority.

THE BIG STORY

Georgia senior tailback Kregg Lumpkin is expected to miss Saturday’s game against South Carolina and could miss several more after breaking a thumb in the 35-14 season opening win over Oklahoma State.

But don’t fret for the Bulldogs. They have some other guys who can scoot.

Redshirt freshman Knowshon Moreno led Georgia with 70 rushing yards against Oklahoma State. Senior starter Thomas Brown ran for 48 yards with two touchdowns. There’s also freshman Caleb King, who has been slowed by a hamstring injury but he could be back to full speed in practice today. Fullbacks Shaun Chapas and Jason Johnson have trained at tailback and could provide depth.

“Lumpkin is not a season-ending injury,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “That would probably keep us from being in a rush on Caleb unless he’s just ready to go, unless he’s the best.”

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