An inconsistent run game, poor field-goal kicking and inconsistent play from the defense were some of the issues that plagued Memphis football last season. 

It’s no coincidence that Coach Ryan Silverfield was asked questions about all three of those categories during the AAC Media Day Thursday, July 28. Memphis is looking to recover from last year’s 6-6 record, and those three issues would be a solid place to start.

The Tigers had their high moments in all three areas. The run game started off strong after averaging over 292 rushing yards in the first two games, but Memphis only reached over 150 rushing yards three more times the rest of the season.

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Punter Joe Doyle was the acting kicker for much of the year and was successful on all five of his field-goal attempts in the season-opener against Nicholls. Memphis only made two of its next nine field goals in the following eight games.

The defense had a strong showing to end the season, forcing at least two turnovers in each of the last four games, but had trouble getting off the field on third downs earlier in the year. Silverfield expects Memphis to be more consistent in all areas of the field this season, starting with the run game.

“We’ve got to do a better job schematically making sure we’re putting our guys in the best position to have success,” Silverfield said. “The run game has been excellent here for four years. Last year, we were displeased with the overall efforts. We did a lot of offseason studies and there are a lot of things we can continue to improve upon.”

Memphis enters fall camp next week with the same question it had at this time last year — the Tigers are unsure who their starting running back will be. Brandon Thomas won the job last season before getting sidelined with injuries.

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Last year’s MAC Freshman of the Year, Jevyon Ducker, joins the roster while veterans Asa Martin and Rodrigues Clark are also returning. Memphis started at least four different running backs last season.

“We had a plethora of running backs, almost too many (last year),” Silverfield said. “We talk about running back by committee and guess what? All those running backs are back again this year.

“We’re going to need a few of those guys to step up. I love having a lot of talent back there and they make each other better. But we don’t want to get to the point where you have five to six different starters, so we’re going to need some of those guys to step up.”

New offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey has the tools at his disposal to help fix the run game as long as the backfield can stay healthy. Health was a concern for the kicking game last year. Doyle was forced to assume kicking roles because freshman David Kemp got hurt before the season started.

Kemp struggled, missing two field goals in his first game back but ended the year kicking 5-of-5 in the last three games. He is heading into fall camp fully healthy and is joined by Florida transfer kicker Chris Howard. Silverfield also mentioned that Noah Grant will be in the mix of competing for the starting job.

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“We’ve got three guys who we feel are capable,” Silverfield said. “I think competition brings out the best in people. Certainly, an area we need to improve upon. But I think just going into fall camp we’re better than we were last year.”

Silverfield also feels good about the Tigers’ ability to start the season better defensively. New defensive coordinator Matt Barnes has brought a 4-3 scheme that Silverfield believes better suits the roster.

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“These guys have bought into the new system,” Silverfield said. “I think they like it. I think it’s a better fit for our personnel that we have here at the University of Memphis. I think that we’ll be able to start a little bit faster than we have.”

Veteran defensive back Quindell Johnson is one of the main leaders on that side of the ball and he’s committed to making sure the defense has a better start than some of the previous seasons.

“We’ve just got to be disciplined,” Johnson said. “Stick with the game plan and just do our job. Just start off fast. We’ve had those slow starts throughout the years with the defense but we expect to prepare for an even better start especially going up to Starkville. We can have no slow starts this year.”