Stokes throws five touchdowns as Memphis beats Charlotte 59–8

Marcus Stokes threw five touchdown passes, and Memphis answered Charlotte’s only scoring play with five consecutive touchdowns to win 59–8 on Saturday. The Tigers opened their American Conference schedule by taking a 24–0 halftime lead, then making the game unreachable after Charlotte briefly cut the margin in the third quarter.

Stokes completed 20 of 25 passes for 318 yards without an interception. His touchdowns went to four receivers, with Hunter Tipton catching two. Memphis finished with 674 total yards and held Charlotte to 209, a gap that grew through both explosive passes and sustained possession.

Hayes starts the scoring

The first touchdown came on Stokes’ 93-yard connection with Jermane Hayes at 10:25 of the first quarter. That gave Memphis a 7–0 lead without requiring a long series of plays. Stokes then found Jemyri Davis for a 25-yard score, and Tipton’s 28-yard touchdown early in the second quarter pushed the lead to 21–0.

A late field goal sent the Tigers into halftime ahead by 24. Charlotte had yet to score, while Memphis already had three passing touchdowns and a clear advantage in its ability to keep moving the ball.

The American Conference published the Hayes play on its official YouTube account, identifying the opponent and the October 3 game.

Memphis answers Rutledge immediately

Henry Rutledge changed the scoreboard on Charlotte’s first offensive play after halftime, running 75 yards for a touchdown. The successful two-point conversion made it 24–8. That was the 49ers’ only scoring sequence, and Memphis quickly took back control.

Stokes found Stonka Burnside for a 19-yard touchdown at 11:55 of the third quarter, then connected with Tipton again for a 24-yard score. Dallan Hayden added an eight-yard touchdown run before the quarter ended. A 16-point game had become a 45–8 Memphis lead in less than 11 minutes of game time.

Air Noland supplied the final touchdown pass, finding Brady Kluse from seven yards out in the fourth quarter. Jordan Thompson closed the scoring with a one-yard run. Noland finished with 68 passing yards, while Stokes also added 61 yards on the ground.

Possession and turnovers widen the gap

Memphis converted 10 of 16 third downs and both fourth-down attempts, collected 36 first downs and held the ball for 40:25. Charlotte converted only one of 10 third downs and finished with eight first downs. The Tigers committed no turnovers; the 49ers lost three fumbles and threw an interception.

Rutledge finished with 111 rushing yards, but Charlotte’s passing game produced only 77 yards. Memphis improved to 4–1 overall and 1–0 in conference play. The Tigers’ official report lists a home game against UAB on October 10 as their next assignment.