Tigers Score Eight Touchdowns in Conference Opener Win at Charlotte

Saturday, October 3

Charlotte, N.C.

10 a.m.

University of Memphis

4-1 , 1-0

Charlotte

0-5 , 0-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Memphis	14	10	21	14	59
Charlotte	0	0	8	0	8

Tigers Score Eight Touchdowns in Conference Opener Win at Charlotte

Oct 03, 2026 | Football

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Memphis (4-1, 1-0 American) started conference play with a dominant 59-8 road victory at Charlotte (0-5, 0-1) Saturday afternoon in Jerry Richardson Stadium.

Originally scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff, the game was moved to 10 a.m. due to the threat of inclement weather in the region. The Tigers were unfazed by the early start, piling up more than 600 yards of total offense for the first time since the 2024 Navy game while forcing four turnovers on a rainy day in Charlotte.

Quarterback Marcus Stokes led the offensive onslaught, throwing five touchdown passes and eclipsing the 300-yard mark for the second time this season. The Tigers also highlighted the depth of their passing attack, with 13 different receivers recording a catch.

After giving up a third-down sack on their opening possession, Stokes and Memphis quickly found their rhythm. Backed up at its own seven-yard line, Stokes connected with Jermane Hayes on a 93-yard touchdown strike, the second-longest passing touchdown in program history and just one yard short of the school record set by Lloyd Patterson and Earnest Gray against Houston in 1978.

The Tigers extended the lead on their next possession when Stokes guided an eight-play, 87-yard drive and capped it with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jemyri Davis for a 14-0 advantage. The scoring strike marked Stokes' fourth game this season with at least two touchdown passes.

Stokes continued his efficient start, completing eight of his first nine attempts. His third touchdown pass came on a 27-yard connection with Hunter Tipton, whose highlight-reel one-handed catch helped push the Memphis lead to 21-0 with 14:26 remaining in the second quarter.

Memphis carried that momentum into halftime, taking a 24-0 advantage into the locker room. Stokes totaled more than 300 yards of offense on his own in the opening half while the defense kept Charlotte off the scoreboard forcing two crucial turnovers in Memphis territory.

Ian Foster ripped the ball away from a Charlotte receiver for an interception, while Chauncey Logan added a forced fumble and recovery as the Tigers established control on both sides of the ball.

Charlotte's lone touchdown came on the opening play of the second half when Henry Rutledge broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run. A successful two-point conversion trimmed the Memphis lead to 24-8.

The Tigers answered immediately.

Stokes found Stonka Burnside on a 19-yard touchdown screen pass to restore a three-score cushion. Following the first of two fumble recoveries by linebacker J.J. Clayton, Stokes connected with Tipton for his second touchdown reception of the afternoon and his fifth touchdown pass of the game.

With the scoring strike, Stokes became the first Memphis quarterback since Brady White against UCF in 2020 to throw five touchdown passes in a game. Stokes finished his day with his second 300-yard passing performance of the season before giving way to Air Noland.

Clayton's second takeaway came on Charlotte's ensuing kickoff, one of Memphis' four turnovers forced on the day. The recovery set up another Tiger score as Memphis native Dallan Hayden found the end zone for the first time this season, extending the lead to 45-8. Clayton is the first Tiger defender to record multiple fumble recoveries in a single game since Austin Hall in 2019.

Memphis gave its fans one final highlight as Noland found Brady Kluse on a fade route for a remarkable one-handed juggling catch in front of the Tigers' section, capping a 10-play, 87-yard scoring drive to hand the Tigers a 52-8 advantage.

The Tigers capped its scoring with a one-yard touchdown rush by freshman Jordan Thompson who scored for the second consecutive week.

UP NEXT

Memphis (4-1) returns to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium next Saturday to host UAB (2-2) in the Battle for the Bones at 6 p.m. or 6:30 pm CT on ESPN2 or ESPNU.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Single-game tickets can be purchased online at THIS LINK or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331. For group tickets and experiences, please contact the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.

For premium seating experiences, please contact the Memphis Athletic Fund at MAFpremium@memphis.edu.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.