Preview: Q&A with Frank Bonner II of the Daily Memphian

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield's history with Middle Tennessee's Derek Mason goes back to the coaching staff of Brad Childress in Minnesota, where the two shared an office during their time with the Vikings. Mason worked with Minnesota's DBs, while Silverfield had roles on both sides of the ball during his time in Minneapolis.

"Him and I actually shared an office together with the Vikings," Silverfield said. "I was actually in the office with him when Jim Harbaugh called him and offered him a job with Stanford."

In his weekly media availability ahead of the Blue Raiders (1-3, 0-1 CUSA) traveling to Memphis (3-1, 0-1 AAC) for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff this Saturday on ESPNU and the Blue Raider Network, Silverfield even recalled Mason attempting to recruit him to join his former colleague at Vanderbilt when Silverfield was with the Detroit Lions. The Tigers' current head man ended up at Memphis as the O-Line coach instead, parlaying several promotions into eventually taking over as head coach when Mike Norvell left for Florida State ahead of the 2020 season.

"Ryan is as well versed as a coach as you're going to find, because he spent time on both sides of the ball," Mason said. "He really understands how to attack things. He's a line guy by trade. He understands how to manipulate fronts."

Mason highlighted the balance of the Tiger offense, one that tries to set up explosive matchups on the perimeter by daring teams to load the box to stop the run, as a particular challenge for an MTSU defense still finding its identity amid plenty of turnover due to injury.

"This is going to be about tackling," Mason said. "I know that's been an Achilles Heel of ours. I think we're getting better each week and we're starting to get a couple of guys back, so I think that will help with our secondary. Not everything being new every week, not '50 First Dates'."

MTSU quarterback Nicholas Vattiato, meanwhile, was complementary of the Tiger defense, knowing he'll have to be on top of the game mentally to counteract some of the things that Duke put on film that worked well against the Blue Raider offense last week.

"We're going up this week against a team in Memphis who have a very talented defense as well, in terms of their front seven and their backend when they work together," Vattiato said.

To learn more about the Tigers, GoBlueRaiders.com Staff Writer Sam Doughton reached out to Frank Bonner II, who covers Memphis football for the Daily Memphian. The pair discussed Memphis' surprise loss to Navy on the road last week, players to know on both sides of the ball and keys for Memphis to get back on the right track after a setback last week.

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1. Things looked to be going very smoothly for Memphis' quest to be the first G5 program to claim the CFP spot in the new 12-team playoff after the Tigers won on the road at FSU, but a loss to Navy this past week has put the Tigers in even more of a must-win-our scenario the rest of the way. Did the loss to Navy reveal deeper problems for Memphis that hadn't surfaced in their first three games or was it something the program can chalk up to the unusual stylistic matchup?

I just think Memphis had to deviate from its usual defensive scheme against Navy because of the triple-option and it didn't go well. It also didn't help that this version of the Navy offense passes the ball more effectively than it usually does.

I expect the Tigers to fix a lot of the defensive problems we saw last week once it goes back to its usual scheme. The tackling, however, must improve no matter what the scheme looks like.

2. Seth Henigan has been one of the Top G5 quarterbacks for years since he started as a true freshman in 2021, with production that helped him become a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy where he roomed with MTSU quarterback Nicholas Vattiato. What traits make Henigan excel as a signal caller and how has he grown into his senior season so far?

Seth Henigan is a coach's kid, and it shows. He has a high football IQ and stays even-keeled during intense moments. He has improved his reads as he's matured as a college quarterback and the locker room respects his leadership. Henigan has suffered heartbreaking losses and he's won games in dramatic fashion, so there aren't many situations that rattle him.

3. The Tigers have not one, not two but three different running backs averaging over 5.5 yards per carry this season. With one of those backs, Greg Desrosiers Jr., expected to miss the next few weeks due to injury, what strengths do Mario Anderson Jr. and Brandon Thomas provide to the Memphis backfield?

Mario Anderson Jr. and Brandon Thomas are downhill runners who can gain tough yards between the tackles. Anderson has been the starter ever since running back Sutton Smith went down in the season opener. He has seven rushing touchdowns and has at least two scores in three of the four games this year.

Thomas has been used as a goal-line running back, but the Tigers will need to lean on him more because of the recent injuries. He rushed for more than 100 yards for the first time since 2021 last week. That performance should give him confidence to be the running back Memphis needs him to be.

4. Vattiato praised the front seven of Memphis' defense in particular this week, while also acknowledging the secondary plays good complementary football to the front's strength. Who's impressed you on the defensive line a third of the way into the season and who's maybe someone who doesn't get enough credit for the defense's success when it goes well?

William Whitlow Jr. is a defensive lineman who has impressed me so far this season. He's a junior whose role has increased every season and he's putting it all together this year. The surprise of the year to this point is Georgia State transfer Javon Denis. He's a guy who wasn't high on my radar during the offseason but he worked his way into a starting role, and his performance this year has shown why.

5. The Tigers opened four touchdown favorites this week, depending on who in the desert you talk to, and obviously need to get back in the win column to keep their CFP hopes alive. What do you think Memphis needs to do to get back on track against a Blue Raider team still finding its identity under Derek Mason?

Underdog teams feed off turnovers. If Memphis protects the ball, it will be fine. The defense needs to use this game to keep the confidence it was playing within the first three weeks. Henigan has several offensive weapons at his disposal, which should keep Middle Tennessee on its heels.

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Players Mentioned

Nicholas Vattiato

Middle Tennesee State University Athletics