Memphis football's Ryan Silverfield on UTSA loss: 'Every single person in the organization is to blame'
SAN ANTONIO — Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield didn't mince words after Saturday's loss to UTSA at the Alamodome.
The Tigers (7-2, 3-2 AAC) not only lost 44-36, but more importantly, their chance to go to the College Football Playoff.
"Always put it on me," Silverfield said in his postgame news conference. "And when you write your articles, put it on me. But clearly we weren't ready. We didn't execute. I'm really, really frustrated because every single person in the organization is to blame. This is one of those. I'm blaming everybody. And everybody has to understand we're in a results business, and we have to do a better job. We have to go out there and find a way.
"Offense, defense, special teams, not good enough. At all. And so, ultimately I've got to look and say, 'OK, what do we need to do differently?' Because we didn't play like we're capable of. We see flashes here and there, but that's not what good teams do. Good teams are consistent, good teams go out there and execute at a high level. No one's going to shut out and beat everybody 48-0. I know that's what we'd all like. I would, too. But we didn't."
The Tigers were tied with the Roadrunners at halftime but couldn't get anything going offensively in the second half until the game was out of reach.
Memphis still has three games left this season, even though the Tigers' offseason goals are almost certainly no longer attainable. And they are on a short week, having to face Rice on Friday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Silverfield said it's "BS" if people think the season is over.
"I talked about, 'You should be frustrated. And if you're not, I don't want you part of this program. Anybody, I don't care who you are," he said. "I'm responsible for about 200 people. And if anybody's not bought in and not disheartened . . .
"There's a big difference between, 'Hey, screw it, the year's over, can't go to the playoff . . . BS. Over my dead body. We're going to keep fighting, we're going to keep swinging and I want to see that hurt in their eyes. I want to be able to see who's going to show up tomorrow with the right type of attitude."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Ryan Silverfield said after Memphis football lost to UTSA
