Profiling Brandon Silvers

The 24-year-old Pensacola, Florida, native put his strong arm and knowledge of the offense on display last week, when he played his first meaningful minutes for Memphis. Silvers took over for Zach Mettenberger, who went down with a season-ending ankle injury on the first offensive play of the game for the Express.

Silvers, whose has the NCAA record for completion percentage by a freshman (70.5), was a star at Troy under former Trojans coach Neal Brown. He is second on the school's all-time passing yards list with 10,684 and third in touchdown passes (71).

Against the Stallions last week and coming off an injury, he threw for 242 yards and one touchdown.

"He was hurt for almost a month before he got his chance (against the Stallions) with an oblique strain or something like that," co-offensive coordinator Bobby Blizzard said. "I don't think he had more than 10 snaps the whole week (leading up to the game). And he came in and threw for 240something yards, just like that."

Silvers said he has three main objectives.

"Move the chains, get the ball to the playmakers and put points on the board," he said. "Last week, we didn't do too good putting points on the board. We played good as an offense, we just didn't put many points on the board. But that's my job."

Welcome back Martin Ifedi, Kenny Hilliard

The Express brought defensive lineman Martin Ifedi and running back Kenny Hilliard to training camp in San Antonio in January. They left there without Hilliard and released Ifedi a short time afterward. They were both back this week. Ifedi, the Tigers' all-time leader in sacks (22.5), replaces Jeremy Liggins, who was released after playing one game.

Memphis chose to carry Zac Stacy, Terrence Magee and Rajion Neal instead at running back. Seven weeks later, Hilliard, a former LSU Tiger, is back. The Express, who released Daryl Virgies, announced Hilliard's addition on Wednesday and he was on the practice field later that day.

Hilliard joins Stacy and Magee in a backfield that ranks next-to-last in rushing (95.8 yards per game).

Sneakfest

Football won't be the only thing on tap at the Mid-south Fairgrounds this Sunday.

The 10th Sneakfest Expo — think trading card show, but with sneakers — runs from 1-6 p.m. inside the Pipkin Building and features the buying, selling and/or trading of shoes, clothing and accessories.

The Express have partnered with Sneakfest organizers to offer a $25 package deal that includes admission to both events as well as a drink voucher at the game.