New-Look Tigers Shine Across the Board in 27-21 Season-Opening Win at UNLV

Saturday, August 29

Las Vegas, Nev.

9 p.m.

University of Memphis

1-0 , 0-0

UNLV

0-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Memphis	0	7	17	3	27
UNLV	0	14	7	0	21

New-Look Tigers Shine Across the Board in 27-21 Season-Opening Win at UNLV

Aug 30, 2026 | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes

LAS VEGAS – The RV/RV University of Memphis football program started the Charles Huff era with a come-from-behind, 27-21 win at RV/RV UNLV during week zero in Allegiant Stadium.

Quarterback Marcus Stokes impressed in his debut, going 15-for-26 for 223 yards and two touchdowns, also adding 45 yards on the ground. A slew of new Tigers led the offense in running back Jaylin Carter putting up 97 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and booth Hunter Tipton and Stonka Burnside catching a touchdown pass.

Defensively, linebackers Zach Ruffin and Mike Montgomery logged double-digit tackles with 13 and 10, respectively. The Memphis defense sacked UNLV's Jackson Arnold six times in the win, with Elijah Kinsler leading the way with 2.5 sacks.

With the win, head coach Charles Huff becomes the first coach in program history to win his debut on the road. The Tigers also continue an obscure streak dating back to the 2019 Marshall program as since that season, the loser of the Gasparilla Bowl has won their ensuing season opener.

After a quiet first quarter with four punts and no scoring, UNLV opened the scoring on a 38-yard connection from Arnold to Tavian McNair. The following drive, Marcus Stokes tossed his first touchdown pass at the FBS level on a checkdown to Hunter Tipton, who hurdled a UNLV safety to find the end zone.

UNLV then regained its one-score lead on an Arnold rush and forced a Memphis turnover, but failed to convert on a field goal attempt to end the half, leaving the game at 14-7 at the break.

Stokes picked up where he left off to open the second half, completing a 48-yard pass to Stonka Burnside to tie the game back up at 14 apiece.

After another Rebel score, Alante Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards, setting up an eventual 36-yard rushing touchdown by Jaylin Carter.

The Memphis defense started to heat up in the final 25 minutes of the game, sacking Jackson Arnold on back-to-back drives, with Elijah Kinsler picking up 1.5 sacks in that span.

The Tigers took their first lead in the final minute of the third quarter on a 32-yard field goal make by Philippe Laforge. After stalling UNLV out on another drive, Laforge stepped up to convert on a 36-yarder to put the Tigers up 27-21 with 12 minutes remaining.

Memphis' defense stepped up yet again, forcing a turnover on downs, capped off by a combo sack between Taylor Burton and Jaden McKinney. Kinsler then picked up another sack on the next drive to force a UNLV three-and-out.

With just a minute remaining, Joseph Head Jr., J'Mond Tapp and Taylor Burton combined to bring Arnold down twice on the final drive, eventually forcing a turnover on downs as the clock expired.

UP NEXT
The Tigers are set for their home opener at the newly-renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, taking on Arkansas State at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.

BUY TICKETS NOW
Season tickets for the 2026 Memphis Football season can be purchased HERE.

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