Ryan Silverfield’s Memphis Tigers roll on, and now, they’re nationally ranked.

Frank Bonner II, John Varlas and Tim Buckley were at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday night as Memphis beat Tulsa, and one day later, the Tigers debuted in the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 23 and in the coaches poll at No. 25.

Their coverage over the weekend — including Bonner’s game and look-ahead stories, Varlas’ overview piece and Buckley’s column after the Tigers were ranked — highlighted another busy week for The Daily Memphian sports.

Buckley also spoke late last week with United Football League CEO Russ Brandon before writing on the demise of the Memphis Showboats, who are leaving town after three seasons spent playing home games during the spring at Liberty Stadium. The UFL announced Tuesday that it was relocating its Memphis, Michigan and San Antonio franchises to pro soccer stadiums in Louisville, Kentucky; Columbus, Ohio; and Orlando, Florida.

Three days after the 6-0 Tigers’ 38-point win, meanwhile, Daily Memphian sports intern Sam Shoemaker wrote about the possibility of ESPN’s College GameDay coming to town later this month.

But with the Tigers football team idle this week before visiting UAB in Birmingham on Oct. 18, attention has turned to coach Penny Hardaway’s basketball team as it continues to prepare for its 2025-26 season.

Geoff Calkins and Parth Upadhyaya were at the Tigers’ practice facility and wrote after Hardaway spoke Tuesday, one week and a day after the official start of preseason practices.

Speaking of basketball, Drew Hill and Chris Herrington left Nashville after preseason camp there broke late last week and have now turned their attention to a Memphis Grizzlies team that opened preseason play with Monday night’s loss to the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. The Grizzlies stay at home for exhibition games Wednesday against the Boston Celtics and Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks.

Before the preseason opener, Herrington reported on Saturday’s open practice at FedExForum; Hill reported on the Grizzlies’ latest injuries, including the latest sustained by star guard Ja Morant; and both reported on what it will take to make up for the lost production of Desmond Bane, who was traded away in the offseason.

In the preps world, Shoemaker covered Fairley’s win over Memphis Business Academy last Friday night and, after a busy few days covering high school girls soccer and Briarcrest’s big football win over CBHS last week, Varlas headed to Sevierville early this week to cover golf state tournaments.

Here’s a look at some of the staff’s top work from the week: — Deputy sports editor Tim Buckley

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Silverfield: ‘We're going to see what we're all about, right?' By Frank Bonner II

Buckley: Memphis' secret is out. The respect must continue to be earned. By Tim Buckley

Memphis Tigers ranked in AP and coaches polls By Frank Bonner II

Time to grapple with the fact the Tigers might be main-event ready By John Varlas

UFL makes Showboats' exit from Memphis official, explains reasoning By Tim Buckley

Could ESPN’s College GameDay return to Memphis? By Sam Shoemaker

Calkins: Penny Hardaway says Memphis has 'lost that fandemonium.' And he wants to get it back. By Geoff Calkins

'We're all underdogs’: New-look Tigers head into 2025-26 season with something to prove By Parth Upadhyaya

Tuomas Iisalo brought a defensive strategy from Europe to the Grizzlies. How does it work? By Drew Hill

Herrington: With newcomers Jerome and Caldwell-Pope, the Grizzlies are betting on now By Chris Herrington

Ja Morant out of Grizzlies' preseason opener with new injury By Drew Hill

Replacing Desmond Bane's production is 'tough,' but Memphis has options By Drew Hill

Herrington: In Year 7 together, a new Grizzlies beginning for ‘Ja & Jaren’ By Chris Herrington

Bulldog birthday heroics lift Fairley over MBA By Sam Shoemaker

Golfers from MUS, St. Mary's claim state titles By John Varlas

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