Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield sat down with his staff after the Tigers' 56-44 loss to Navy with a very direct message.

"What I said was, 'Listen, we got our teeth kicked in on Saturday. Let's call it what it is,' " Silverfield said Monday. "Blame me. I promise, blame me. I don't care."

The Memphis defense had no answers for Navy quarterback Blake Horvath and the Midshipmen, who earned an upset against the Tigers (3-1, 0-1 American Athletic Conference) in Annapolis. Horvath amassed more than 400 yards from scrimmage and Navy's new-look offensive under Drew Cronic gave Memphis fits throughout the game.

The Tigers have to turn the page quickly when they host Middle Tennessee (1-3) in the nonconference finale on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Silverfield said Monday there were 19 missed tackles by the Tigers in the game, something that's always an emphasis against a Navy team that relies heavily on the run.

It was a kick to the teeth for a Memphis defense that had drawn so much praise during the first three weeks of the season. Coordinator Jordon Hankins' unit had been the top storyline for a Memphis team that hopes to win the AAC and go to the College Football Playoff, and the Tigers entered the game as one of the top defenses in the country.

"What you don't want is one game to totally take the wind out of your sails and say, 'Man, we can't play defense anymore,' " Silverfield said. "We can and we will. And we're certainly capable of it."

While Navy's hybrid offense doesn't match anything the Tigers are likely to see the rest of the season, there are still elements of what the Midshipmen accomplished that will show up. Specifically: motions, fakes and quarterback option plays, which confused Memphis against Horvath.

"One of our keys to be able to come out with a victory was to trust our eyes," Silverfield said. "And you get caught up, you're looking at the fullback dive, well that's not your responsibility, you've got the quarterback. You're looking at the quarterback, but all of a sudden you see another guy coming across. You've got to trust your eyes. And I think our eyes weren't exactly where they needed to be."

Silverfield said linebacker Elijah Herring, who missed the last two games but was in uniform on the sideline against Navy, is day-to-day. Receivers Roc Taylor and Koby Drake, who each tallied 100 yards against Navy, are still being evaluated. Silverfield said he doesn't expect Herring, Taylor or Drake to be out long-term.

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 told Memphis staff, players after Navy loss