Why Memphis football is still holding a spring game in 2025

Ryan Silverfield recaps first day of Memphis football spring practice

Here’s what Ryan Silverfield said after Memphis’ first spring practice on Tuesday.

Memphis football coach Ryan Silverfield never considered it.

While college football teams around the country are moving away from traditional spring games, Silverfield said he always planned to hold one this year.

“My number one thing is, ‘Can we put on a showcase for our fans?’ We’ve got the best fans in the country, and a lot of them look forward to that,” Silverfield said Tuesday after Memphis’ first spring practice.

The Tigers will play their spring game on April 26 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Silverfield said he wanted to play the spring game for two main reasons: First, to showcase the new players and create a unique experience for fans, and second to give his players another day of competition in a different setting.

“It’s another added true competition practice,” he said. “I mean, it’s a scrimmage. And it’s another opportunity. And if we’re going to go out there at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and scrimmage, let’s let the fans look at it. Let’s let them see it, let them be a part of what this is. Hopefully they come away and say, ‘Man, there’s some really impressive players. We want to be a part of that.’ “

SMU became the latest program to announce it won’t have a spring game when coach Rhett Lashlee said Tuesday that the Mustangs would instead hold an open practice at the end of the spring practice window. Other teams that won’t hold a spring game include Texas, Southern Cal and Nebraska.

Coaches have cited various reasons for canceling spring games, including injury risk and the potential for other teams to get a look at players when they can still enter the transfer portal. Memphis’ spring game will take place after the portal window is closed.

Silverfield…

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Publish date : 2025-03-26 01:15:00

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