Marcus Stokes, the newly appointed starting quarterback for the Memphis Tigers, spoke to the media earlier this week following the team’s narrow 27-21 victory over UNLV. This game marked Stokes' first start since being named the starter ahead of the season opener, and he threw for an impressive 223 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 45 rushing yards.
As Stokes prepares for his first home start against Arkansas State this Saturday, he reflected on his performance against the Rebels and the team’s overall execution. While pleased with the win, Stokes acknowledged that the team did not perform at the level they aspire to. “I obviously think I, myself, and the whole team, we left a lot out there on the field,” he stated. “It wasn’t up to our standard, but we did end up coming out with the W. Honestly, as long as we beat the other team by one point that’s all that matters.”
During the game, Stokes admitted to feeling some nerves early on, which affected his accuracy on a few throws. Despite this, he expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, “I know I can make those throws. I make those throws in practice. Yea, there was a little bit of nerves, but it was an exciting nervous. It wasn’t like panicking or anything like that.” This candid admission highlights the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback, especially in a high-stakes environment.
The Memphis offense heavily utilized the run-pass option (RPO) strategy against UNLV, a tactic that Stokes believes was executed effectively. His dual-threat capability adds a new dimension to the Tigers’ offense, making it more challenging for defenses to predict their next move. “I think it’s being used very efficiently in this offense, just like it was at the last offense I was at,” he remarked. Stokes' ability to read defenses and make the right decisions was also praised by head coach Ryan Huff, who noted that Stokes made several correct reads during the game despite initial questions from the coaching staff.
Stokes emphasized the importance of winning a close game early in the season, especially after the team trailed at halftime. He believes that facing adversity and overcoming it is crucial for building resilience as the season progresses. “I think it was good because we did handle adversity throughout that game, and that’s kind of something coach Huff prepared us for throughout the entire offseason camp,” he explained. The preparation during the offseason, including Huff's fourth-quarter program, was instrumental in helping the team finish strong.
Looking ahead to their next matchup against Arkansas State, Stokes described the Red Wolves as a formidable opponent. He acknowledged that while the team treats every opponent with the same level of respect, Arkansas State poses unique challenges. “I think they’re a tough team,” he stated. “Very physical. They’ve got some guys coming back from last year, and all I know is that we’re not going to prepare any different like we do for any other team. Every game every week is the biggest game for us every year, so we’re just going to prepare the same way.”
As the Memphis Tigers gear up for their home opener, Stokes' leadership and performance will be critical in navigating the challenges presented by Arkansas State. With the confidence gained from their first victory, the Tigers will look to build momentum and solidify their standing in the season ahead.
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