Memphis football crushed Charlotte. What we learned from the takedown

CHARLOTTE, NC — Memphis football’s Oct. 3 game against Charlotte was competitive for less than five minutes.

Facing fourth-and-1 on its own 49, Charlotte coach Tim Albin decided to punt. The next play was a 93-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Stokes to Jermane Hayes.

“Once I got it, I was just thinking about scoring,” Hayes said. “I got a fast burst.”

The game was essentially out of reach after that. Charlotte (0-5, 0-1 American Conference) is one of the worst FBS teams in the country and looks like it might go 0-12, while Memphis (4-1, 1-0) is one of the favorites to win the conference title. The Tigers ultimately cruised to a 59-8 win at Jerry Richardson Stadium.

The win came during a weird stretch of the schedule for the Tigers. After starting the season with UNLV, Arkansas State and Boise State, Memphis has now gone three weeks without facing real resistance (a win over FCS-level UT Martin, an open week and then the win over Charlotte).

Still, there are clues from the game against the 49ers that could provide some insight on where Memphis will be later in the season. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like from the win.

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) prepares to hike the ball during the game between Memphis and UT Martin at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 19, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Jaylin Carter (6) and Marcus Stokes (2) celebrate after Carter scored a touchdown off of Stokes’ pass during the game between Memphis and UT Martin at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 19, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) throws a pass for a touchdown during the game between Memphis and UT Martin at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 19, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Marcus Stokes runs with the ball during Memphis football’s game against Boise State on Sept. 12, 2026.

(Provided by Memphis Athletics)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) reacts after throwing a touchdown during the game between Arkansas State and Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on September 5, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 29: Marcus Stokes #2 of the Memphis Tigers throws against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Tigers defeated the Rebels 27-21. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 29: Hunter Tipton #0 and Marcus Stokes #2 of the Memphis Tigers celebrate after they connected on a 16-yard touchdown against the UNLV Rebels in the second quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 29: Marcus Stokes #2 of the Memphis Tigers throws against the UNLV Rebels in the second quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) throws a pass as Air Noland (3) watches during fall practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on July 30, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) throws a pass during fall practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on July 30, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) hands Jaylin Carter (6) the ball in a drill during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on March 27, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) gestures to a player in a drill during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on March 27, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ Marcus Stokes (2) and Denzel Gardner (9) wait for their turn in a drill during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on March 27, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis football offensive coordinator Kevin Decker talks to Marcus Stokes (2) during practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex in Memphis, Tenn., on March 27, 2026.

(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)

Memphis’ receivers show out

Coach Charles Huff has said repeatedly this season that Memphis isn’t looking for a specific go-to receiver but instead will go to whoever’s open on any given play. That has been evident in the games, with Stokes routinely spreading the ball around. Tight end Hunter Tipton has been a consistent target.

While Tychaun Chapman struggled with drops against Charlotte, everyone else showed out. Hayes had six catches after grabbing eight in the 45-21 win against UT-Martin. He has emerged as another viable target and should be expected to play a major role moving forward.

There were plenty of highlight-reel plays, too. Stonka Burnside did his best Randy Moss impression on a touchdown grab over a defender, while Brady Kluse added to his ridiculous Memphis highlight-reel with a one-handed grab. Tipton made his own one-handed catch and then raced away from the defense for a first-half score.

Stokes looks more and more confident each week. He finished 20 of 25 for 318 yards and five touchdowns and got plenty of second-half rest for the second straight game.

“We all know that we left stuff out there on the field,” Stokes said. “There were a couple dropped balls, I probably made a couple of the wrong reads. We always know that there’s stuff left out on the field. We don’t watch the film like it’s a highlight reel. We go in there and if we see a great play, it’s like, ‘Cool, what about the next play?’ We pay more attention to the plays we messed up.”

Memphis’ defense keeps building as conference play begins

Memphis allowed only eight points — and that came on a 75-yard touchdown run by Henry Rutledge on the first play of the second half. Aside from that, Charlotte had minimal success running the ball and basically zero success passing it.

The Tigers’ defense has been up and down throughout the season, but it’s mostly been the former. Stopping the run has been a concern at times, but the defensive line gave Charlotte fits on third down and still looks like the strongest unit on the team.

“We’re a dominating defense,” Huff said. “A dominating defense doesn’t mean you shut people out, they don’t score. A dominating defense means within the game there are going to be moments where you take advantage of opportunities.”

Memphis also forced four turnovers.

“We’ve probably been punching at balls in practice since the flood,” Huff said. “And we haven’t gotten one out since probably 1973. Finally. For one to come out today, I can go back and show all the drills that we do in practice, this is why we do them.”

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football crushed Charlotte. What we learned from the takedown

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