Tigers try to fix the nation’s worst defense
Mike Macintyre stopped a reporter when he was asked about the Memphis secondary being “a bit challenging” this season.
“You said that nice. It's been challenging. It's been rough,” Macintyre said.
Macintyre's first year as Tigers defensive coordinator hasn't gone as expected. Despite forcing 10 takeaways, good for 15th nationally, the defense is ranked last or near the bottom in several categories with a road game at No. 7 Cincinnati (4-0, 2-0 ACC) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN)
In its last three games, Memphis (3-1, 2-1) allowed six receivers to finish with at least 115 receiving yards. The Tigers allowed Temple to postseason highs in passing yards (387) and total yards (500) in their 41-29 win last week.
One could argue they've faced four teams among the nation's top 30 in total offense. There are also three starters in the secondary who didn't start in last season's Cotton Bowl.
Yet it's evident the Tigers' defense has regressed. Macintyre saw progress with the team getting four takeaways and four sacks against Temple but also room to improve.
"We've got some new kids playing back there and we've had some injuries. Those aren't excuses, that's reality," Macintyre said. "But I think they just keep battling and keep fighting and we just got to keep trying to improve."
Memphis' defense by the numbers
Memphis is last nationally in total defense (567.8 yards per game) and passing defense (440.3). Last season, the Tigers were 61st and 20th, respectively.
Among 101 teams, the Tigers are 87th in passing yards per attempt (8.8) and 88th in passing touchdowns allowed (13) and passing plays of at least 20 yards (23). They're also last in the AAC in yards per play (6.62) and first downs allowed (27.5) per game.
They've also allowed 14 passing plays of at least 30 yards, second-worst among AAC teams behind Tulane and sixth-worst nationally.
Macintyre chalked up some of it to facing two talented quarterbacks in SMU'S Shane Buechele and Central Florida's Dillon Gabriel. But the Tigers have struggled in limiting big plays and giving up too many yards.
"I think that when you make one mistake, they see it and they exploit it," Macintyre said. "So our kids are learning you can't be perfect but you got to be close back there or they can make you look stupid pretty quick."
He and Tigers coach Ryan Silverfield noted there have been issues with players not being lined up right and communication breakdowns. So in practice, Macintyre said the defense has done drills where the players turn their back to the offense and then rush to get lined up after the offense is in formation.
He noted the defense has gotten critical second-half stops. The Tigers forced two three-and-outs and got a fumble against Central Florida and forced turnovers on Temple's first two drives against to set up touchdowns.
But it's the little mistakes that are adding up.
"They're not huge, but they turn out to be huge and so our guys, we've been working hard at it," Macintyre said. "I've coached a lot of great players, a lot of great secondaries and these young men are getting better each week."
Tigers' front seven is a positive
The bright spot is stopping the run. The Tigers are 33rd nationally in rushing defense (127.5 yards per game) and have allowed just six runs of at least 20 yards.
It's not surprising because that's where the Tigers' experience is, and Macintyre credited younger linebackers Jalil Clemons and Cole Mashburn with adding to the mix. Cincinnati is a runheavy team with dual-threat quarterback Desmond Ridder.
"We want to keep him inside, keep him contained and not let him get outside and let him roam free," defensive tackle O'bryan Goodson said. "If we keep him running inside their box and where the front seven's at, everything's good, everything's shut down."
The Tigers know about Ridder's speed and power from facing him in last year's AAC championship game. Add Cincinnati's offensive line and a running back corps led by Gerrid Doaks and Macintyre called them the most physical team the Tigers will face this season.
"I've got to do a better job coaching and they'll start making more plays," Macintyre said. "I tell them all the time I don't go up between the white lines, they do and players make plays, players win games. As we get them coached up with more confidence, they'll keep making some more plays."