Flashback to the beginning of the decade. The Memphis Tigers finished their football season 1-11 under the reins of former Head Coach Larry Porter. Now fast-forward to 2019. After a decade of growing, coaching changes, and adjustments, the same program just finished their season 12-2 with an appearance on College GameDay, an AAC Conference Championship, and a bid to a New Year Six bowl. These Tigers made the city of Memphis as proud as it has even been. Even though the loss itself was devastating, the Tigers have proved to the country that the future is bright for this program.
Kicker Riley Patterson At the beginning of the week, kicker Riley Patterson was not sure if he was going to be able to play in the Cotton Bowl. However, adversity gave him the upper hand. Not only did he account for 21 of the Tigers 39 points, but he also had an absolute perfect game. He was 6/6 on field goals and 3/3 on extra points. Patterson also broke three Cotton Bowl Records in the process including longest FG (51 yards), most field goals, and most points by a kicker.
Quarterback Brady White Even though he accounted for 2 turnovers, Brady White also set some impressive records in what was potentially his last game in tiger blue. White became the second QB in Memphis football history with over 4,000 passing yards in one season only behind Riley Ferguson. He finished the season with one of the best games of his career as a tiger. White finished with 454 passing yards, 25 rushing yards, and one rushing TD.
Head Coach Ryan Silverfield If nothing else, Coach Silverfield proved that he deserved to be the head coach of the Memphis Tigers. Despite the loss and the adversity that the team faced leading up Saturday, the Tigers still managed to score more points than any Penn State opponent this season. The Tigers still unable to get the job done, had themselves one heck of a football Yet, Coach Silverfiled took full responsibility for the loss.
“I can promise you I will have this Memphis Football team ready for every single game for here on out as long as I am the head coach here.”, Coach Silverfield said following the loss, “I will never be satisfied with a loss”.
As painful it as this loss may be, it is clear this is not the end for this Memphis football team. The Tigers proved that they can hang with the best and can compete on an extremely high level. With a season full of injuries, controversy, and change, the
Tigers still had the winningest season in program history. At the end of the day, the Memphis Tigers are on their way to being one of the best football programs in the country.