"Just because fans get online and criticize doesn't mean they're not fans"

What an amazing night of football we got Thursday night, huh?

The Bears beat the Patriots in a thriller in Chicago, and we had two overtime games down in the college ranks. Appalachian State upset JMU, 34-31, in Boone, while East Carolina blew a double-digit lead in Memphis en route to a 41-34 loss.

Those are the nights we dream about during the dog days of summer, folks. When you're sitting through another insufferable WNBA game in July, just a reminder that you're GRINDING away for fall nights like we got on Thursday.

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Memphis' Ellis Ellis Jr. is celebrated by teammates after he made an interception in the end zone in overtime to seal a 41-34 win over ECU at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2026. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

They're the best, and they don't stick around for long. We get maybe a dozen of them a year if we're a lucky. Last night was one of them. I hope you all took advantage.

Now, you know one fanbase who did not take advantage of last night's glorious fall night of football? The so-called "fans" of the Memphis Tigers, who apparently forgot the fellas were scheduled to play on Thursday this week.

Take a look:

Goodness gracious. The "official" box score lists last night's attendance at over 27,000. Surely it filled in a bit after kickoff, but I don't see how they got to 27K. Seems ambitious to me.

It's a bad look. There's no way around it, and no reason to sugarcoat it. It's just a bad look for Memphis and its fans.

"But Zach, it was a Thursday night!"

Memphis Tigers quarterback Marcus Stokes jumps over East Carolina Pirates defensive back Zyeir Gamble for a touchdown during overtime at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

So? What does that mean? Are the kids not allowed to go to Thursday night games? Is there a rule in Memphis that says fans and students can only attend Saturday games?

"But Zach, it was East Carolina!"

OK. And? The Tigers are a 5-2 team and still very much alive for a playoff spot. I know they lost last week to Tulane, which certainly dealt them a blow, but it's the G6. Anything can happen down there.

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Memphis Tigers wide receiver Jemyri Davis celebrates after a touchdown against East Carolina during the second half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 22, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

You'd like to think a 5-2 Division I college football team would draw a bigger crowd than the local Moose Lodge for the Sunday brunch buffet.

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"Stop picking on us, Zach. There were a bunch of games last night. Surely we weren't the only no-shows!"

Actually ...

Different worlds, folks.

Choose your fighter(s).

Zach Dean is a writer for OutKick.ย 

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