Memphis rallies past East Carolina 41-34 in overtime as Marcus Stokes accounts for five TDs

Memphis trailed East Carolina 16-3 at halftime on Thursday night. By the end, quarterback Marcus Stokes had a hand in five touchdowns, and the Tigers had a 41-34 overtime win at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The victory moves Memphis to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the American Conference and makes the Tigers bowl-eligible for the 13th straight season. Memphis says that is the longest active streak among programs outside the Power Four. East Carolina fell to 3-4 and 1-2.

How did Memphis come back?

The Tigers managed only a 31-yard Philippe Laforge field goal in the first half. ECU’s Noah Perez kicked field goals of 22, 30 and a career-long 49 yards, the last of which made it 16-3 as time expired before the break, according to The Associated Press.

The momentum flipped quickly after halftime:

• Fast start: Four plays into the third quarter, Stokes hit Jermane Hayes for a 59-yard touchdown.
• Closing in: Stokes led a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jemyri Davis, and Laforge’s second field goal cut it to 24-20 late in the third.
• A big break: After ECU went back up by seven, Memphis went three-and-out, but Jaylen Lewis recovered a muffed punt at the Pirates’ 28. Four plays later, Stokes found Davis again to tie it at 27.
• First lead: Stokes finished a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:31 left in regulation.

How East Carolina forced overtime

ECU answered. About two minutes later, backup quarterback Mitch Griffis threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Landon Sides on fourth-and-9, tying the game at 34 and sending it to overtime, the AP reported.

How did the game end?

Memphis scored on its first overtime possession in two plays, with Stokes running it in from 5 yards out. ECU drove to the 4-yard line, but cornerback Ellis Ellis Jr. intercepted a pass in the end zone to end the game.

Marcus Stokes’ stats

Stokes was 29 of 43 for 320 yards and three touchdowns, and he ran for two more, per the AP. Memphis said it was his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season and a career high in completions, and that he accounted for all five Tigers touchdowns.

Other standouts, per the AP and Memphis:

• Jemyri Davis: 91 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The AP credited him with eight catches and the school’s recap with seven, either way a career night.
• Memphis defense: four sacks, two of them by Taylor Burton, plus interceptions from Chauncey Logan Jr. and Ellis.
• East Carolina: Griffis replaced starter Emory Williams early in the second quarter and went 14 of 26 for 199 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Williams was 5 of 13 for 61 yards. TJ Engleman Jr. ran for 92 yards and a touchdown, and Ashton Gray added a 1-yard scoring run.

What’s next?

Both teams are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 31. Memphis hosts Army, and East Carolina hosts Temple.

FAQ

Who won East Carolina vs. Memphis? Memphis, 41-34 in overtime.

Is Memphis bowl-eligible? Yes. The win was the Tigers’ sixth, extending their run of bowl eligibility to 13 straight seasons.

Who is Memphis’ quarterback? Marcus Stokes, who threw for 320 yards and accounted for five touchdowns against ECU.