Silverfield finds hope, new stars in first year
It was a year ago Sunday that Ryan Silverfield was introduced as Memphis' new football coach. He talked about keeping up the Tigers' winning ways but also the resilience about his coaching career
"I've always said if you keep swinging that ax good things will come," Silverfield said then. "And I'll take that same approach here every single day. We're going to swing, we're going to keep swinging.”
He couldn't fathom then how much the Tigers (7-3, 5-3 AAC) needed to swing in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced college football to constantly adjust. But the Tigers' 3027 win Saturday against Houston revealed new building blocks emerging as the old ones set their place in stone.
"I don't know if we're as talented as the teams we've had in the past and I don't mind saying that because I was a part of those teams in the past," Silverfield said. "But these guys fight and they find a way,"
Brady White added another gamewinning drive and Riley Patterson added his first game-winning field goal . It was another notch in their résumés among Tigers greats, but Memphis also needed new stars to emerge as they have all season.
Sophomore Jaylen Allen, in his first start, had an 85-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. As a Houston area native, the moment was sweeter happening against the Cougars.
"It feels like punching your enemy in the face," Allen said.
Junior defensive lineman Morris Joseph added 21⁄ tackles for loss.
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Sophomore defensive back Quindell Johnson had his third consecutive game with an interception.
Freshman receiver Tahj Washington's 36-yard catch over a defender hints at more playmaking moments to come. Junior receiver Calvin Austin III'S biggest play wasn't his 10th touchdown this season but a 22-yard catch on the final drive to set up Patterson's game-winner.
Silverfield's first season was expected to rely on familiar faces like Patterson, White, Damonte Coxie and Kenneth Gainwell. But with the latter two opting out and Patterson and White not expected not to return despite an extra year of eligibility, he's found new players to help carry out his mission.
His first season might have brought more gray hairs and stress. It revealed problems such as a running game that hasn't topped 100 yards in five of the last six games.
But it also showed potential. Patterson said it's part of players understanding the winning tradition that's been established at Memphis the past seven seasons.
This team isn't on par with the 2017 or 2019 teams that set school records and earned national acclaim. Yet like them, this team finished unbeaten at home.
White summed it up best for a group that won't win a conference championship but will be remembered for fighting and swinging their way through a season unlike any other.
“Not the prettiest, not the cleanest. Adversity sprinkled in. But resiliency, toughness and just a special group that gets the dang job done,” White said.