Stokes Shreds Army as Memphis Rolls 49-22: American Conference Week 9 Recap

11/01/2026 | Snap Count Press |

Memphis didn’t just beat Army on Saturday night. The Tigers took the Black Knights’ whole identity and flipped it. Army came into the Liberty Bowl wanting to shorten the game; Memphis answered with a quarterback who completed 29 of 35 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns, and the Tigers pulled away for a 49-22 win.

Elsewhere in the American, Tulane survived Charlotte in overtime on Friday, South Florida and East Carolina picked up home wins, Navy fell to Notre Dame, and UTSA spent its bye week watching. Here’s how it all shook out.

Memphis 49, Army 22: Stokes carves up the Black Knights

Memphis scored 14 points in each of the first two quarters and never let Army get comfortable. The Tigers led 28-14 at halftime and 35-14 midway through the third quarter, and the line score shows Memphis outscoring Army 14-0 in the fourth.

Marcus Stokes was the engine. He went 29-of-35 for 371 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, and he added a rushing touchdown of his own in the fourth quarter, according to Memphis Football’s in-game post. Against an Army defense that makes its living keeping opponents off the field, Memphis threw for 371 yards and piled up 554 total yards.

  • Marcus Stokes: 29/35, 371 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
  • Jaylin Carter: 23 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD
  • Jermane Hayes: 9 catches, 86 yards, 2 TD
  • Hunter Tipton: 5 catches, 86 yards, long of 51
  • Army: 320 rushing yards, led by Godspower Nwawuihe (19-100, TD), but just 45 passing yards and 2 interceptions

Army still ran it 320 yards, so this wasn’t a defensive shutdown. But the Black Knights’ quarterbacks went 5-of-10 for 45 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions (Cale Hellums was 4-of-7 for 40 yards with a TD and a pick), Memphis turned it over once, and Army couldn’t keep pace once the Tigers got rolling through the air.

What it means for Memphis

As of Sunday morning, Memphis is 7-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, one game behind the two unbeaten teams, UTSA (7-1, 4-0) and North Texas (6-2, 4-0). Memphis doesn’t control everything, but a win like this keeps the Tigers right in the title-game race heading into November, and it puts Army (5-3, 4-2) a step behind them.

Tulane 38, Charlotte 31 (OT): Green Wave escape

Tulane led 14-0, then watched Charlotte rip off 24 straight points in the second quarter to lead 24-14 at half. The Green Wave scored 17 points over the third and fourth quarters to force overtime at 31 and won it with a touchdown in the extra period. Trace Johnson threw for 284 yards (28-of-36, TD, INT), and Johnnie Daniels ran for 99 yards and two scores on 13 carries. For Charlotte, Conner Harrell threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns and Henry Rutledge had 121 rushing yards.

South Florida 30, UAB 10

UAB led 10-0 after one quarter, then didn’t score again. USF scored 30 straight points and held the Blazers to 17 rushing yards and 177 total yards. Luke Kromenhoek ran for 92 yards and USF ran for 191 as a team. UAB turned it over twice; USF didn’t turn it over.

East Carolina 17, Temple 9

Defense ruled in Greenville. Temple managed three field goals, and Ajani Sheppard threw three interceptions. TJ Engleman Jr. ran for 107 yards and a touchdown for ECU, which outgained the Owls 352-249.

Notre Dame 35, Navy 13

Navy hung around early and trailed just 14-13 at halftime, but Notre Dame scored the last 21 points in the nonconference game. Jackson Gutierrez ran 28 times for 110 yards and a touchdown for the Mids, now 2-6.

Around the country: Boise State edges Texas State

For American fans watching the playoff picture: No. 20 Boise State beat Texas State 46-45. The Broncos are the main competition for a Group of Six spot, so a one-point escape doesn’t do The American any harm. It may help The American’s case a little in how the committee compares the conferences, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.

American standings (as of Sunday morning)

  1. UTSA: 7-1 (4-0) — bye
  2. North Texas: 6-2 (4-0)
  3. Memphis: 7-2 (4-1)
  4. Army: 5-3 (4-2)
  5. South Florida: 6-2 (2-2)
  6. Florida Atlantic: 5-3 (2-2)
  7. UAB: 4-4 (2-2)
  8. East Carolina: 4-4 (2-2)
  9. Tulane: 4-4 (2-2)
  10. Tulsa: 4-4 (1-3)
  11. Temple: 2-6 (1-3)
  12. Navy: 2-6 (1-4)
  13. Charlotte: 1-7 (1-3)
  14. Rice: 1-7 (0-4)

Standings are as of Sunday morning; check back once the conference posts its official standings.

Sources

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