By STEPHEN HAWKINS
AP Sports Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - After 20 years in coaching, Ryan Silverfield's first game as a college head coach comes in Memphis' first New Year's Six bowl game. Silverfield makes his Tigers debut Saturday in the Cotton Bowl when the American Athletic Conference champions play Big Ten team Penn State. The 39-year-old Silverfield says it's a heck of a way to start his college head coaching career. He came to Memphis with coach Mike Norvell in 2016, and was deputy head coach and offensive line coach when Norvell became Florida State's coach this month. Memphis players say they are happy Silverfield is their new head coach.

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