MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – New developments involving last season’s college football game between Memphis and UTSA bring the integrity of the game into question.
On3Memphis and Sam Shoemaker were the first to report messages that were sent from former Tigers safety Tahj Ra-El to UTSA Quarterback Owen McCown that had “elements of Memphis’ defensive playbook.”
The messages say things like “none of them can cover” and detailing a player that was hurt that UTSA should attack. McCown responded to the messages saying “bet, let me know if they cut your stuff and I’ll put in a word.”
The photo shows messages between the two.(WMC)
It was a game Memphis lost 44-36 and knocked them out of any chance at the College Football Playoff and the conference championship.
Friday at American Conference Media Day, Commissioner Tim Pernetti addressed the messages.
“I am aware of the situation, we have been having very open dialogue with coach Traylor and Coach Silverfield about it, I don’t think it is really for me to address, there is really not much to this story, it has been sensationalized, and I think it is click bait,” Pernetti said.
He doubled down later in the conference stressing these teams care about integrity.
“The integrity of this thing matters to people in this league so naturally they flirt with the why but in this case, I think it is much to do about nothing,” Pernetti said.
On the podium Tigers Head Coach Ryan Silverfield did not have too much to say about the alleged messages
“There has always been outside distractions whether it is in the last 24 hours or the last 48,” Silverfield said.
Ra-El’s agency released a statement that said in part “Tahj acknowledges that errors in judgement may have been made, at no point was there any intent to harm teammates or compromise the game he loves.”
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