How Memphis water crisis affected Liberty Bowl: Long porta-john lines pre-game, then normal

The chant rose and echoed from the cascade of Kansas football fans entering Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Wednesday. "Rock. Chalk. Jayhawk!"

As more Kansas fans gathered for a photo near the main gates, an Arkansas fan walked by and playfully yelled "Woo Pig!" − two-thirds of the Razorbacks' famous chant "Woo Pig Sooie."

Everything looked almost normal walking into the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Outside, the one notable difference was lines for the nearly 400 port-a-johns along Tiger Lane and various spots in the parking lot.

With Memphis still under a boil water advisory due to damaged water mains around the city, visiting fans prepared to adjust to water issues throughout the city and at the stadium. There were also 80 additional hand-sanitizer pumps on hand to help conserve water.

Some weren't bothered; people like Chris Craig, who arrived with his family of four to cheer on Kansas' first bowl appearance in 14 years.

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"The showers were working and the hotel was great," said Craig. "We stocked up on water bottles before coming. down. It's not that a big deal. We're hungry for football, and it's the Liberty Bowl. It's a historic bowl game against an SEC team."

Fans were treated to a triple overtime finish, a 55-53 win by Arkansas.

Kansas fan Jessica Fisher arrived Monday from Kansas City and only noticed changes when she and her friends had dinner at Rendezvous. Dinner was served on paper plates and they drank canned sodas.

Fisher also attended the Grizzlies game Tuesday and didn't notice any issues as FedExForum also served canned and bottled beverages. Her hotel was fine, too, as she enjoyed two nights in Memphis prior to the game.

"It was handled very well. Everyone seemed well-prepared," Fisher said.

The wait for the port-a-johns inconvenienced some fans who stood behind 10-12 people or more. It concerned Sharon Crittenden, who had attended previous Liberty Bowls as a student with the Ole Miss Feature Twirlers.

At 2:48, the Liberty Bowl sent out a tweet that all bathrooms were fully operational and available. It didn't help ease the lines, but it was progress as MLGW president and CEO Doug McGowen announced in the afternoon that water pressure was back to normal.

Crittenden, who tailgated with Arkansas fans, was happier that with kickoff at 61 degrees, it was warmer than the two previous Liberty Bowls she attended. Jackson Breece, who drove over Wednesday, said he and his tailgate crew packed extra drinks because no water concerns would keep them from seeing Arkansas' first Liberty Bowl game since 2015.

But when Breece arrived, he was impressed by the large Kansas contingency while noticing it felt like a normal tailgate.

"It's been great seeing all this blue around," Breece said of the Kansas fans. "They traveled well, and that's been good to see."

Pat and Mindy Short took extra precaution before driving from Wichita. They made alternate hotel plans and brought extra cases of water, but when they arrived at their hotel on Tuesday they didn't have to change reservations. The showers were working and the front desk had bottled water available.

As Pat Short wore a blue pullover from Kansas' last bowl game, the 2008 Orange Bowl, he was glad concerns they had before arrival were eased. Considering how tenuous things have been this week, it was perhaps the best sign the Liberty Bowl tried to make its 64th game as smooth as possible.

Even if it meant more portable restrooms joining cars, tents and barbecue grills in the parking lot.

"There's been no problems, whatsoever," Short said. "The Liberty Bowl knows how to do it right with hospitality."

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Liberty Bowl: How Memphis water crisis affected Arkansas, Kansas fans