Marcus Stokes met with the media earlier this week after the Tigers' 27-21 win over UNLV. He talked about his performance, the Tigers' run-pass option and this week's opponent.
Stokes was named the starting quarterback ahead of the season open against the Rebels, and he threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and added 45 yards on the ground.
The quarterback will make his first home start on Saturday against the Red Wolves, and here's what he said ahead of the game.
What he thought of the team and his performance:
Stokes was asked about his thoughts on the team and his performance against UNLV, and the quarterback said he was glad they got the win but didn't think they played their best game.
"I obviously think I, myself, and the whole team, we left a lot out there on the field," Stokes said. "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."
Stokes showed some nerves early in the game and missed some throws. He said he's confident he can make those throws but noted the nerves played a factor early.
"I know I can make those throws," Stokes said. "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."
Playing in Memphis' RPO:
Memphis used the RPO a ton in its game against the Rebels, and the quarterback thought they did a nice job using it in the first game. Stokes has the ability to hurt opponents with his arm and his legs, which should add another dynamic to the RPO offense.
"I think it's being used very efficiently in this offense, just like it was at the last offense I was at," Stokes said. "I think it's a good weapon we have."
Stokes said he thought he made "pretty good" reads in the game, and that matches what his head coach said earlier in the week. Huff said that there were several times during the game where the staff questioned his decision in the moment, but ultimately, Stokes had made the right read.
The benefit of winning a close game early in the season:
Memphis trailed at halftime and mounted a comeback in the second half, and Stokes said it was good for his team to face and answer that type of adversity early in the season. He also mentioned Huff's offseason and fall camp programs that prepared the team for the fourth quarter.
"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," Stokes said. "I think that he did do a good job putting us through those moments and putting us through his fourth quarter program, which got us prepared for the fourth quarter so we could close out the game."
Arkansas State:
Stokes was also asked about the next opponent on the schedule, and he called the Red Wolves a "tough" opponent. The quarterback said the team treats every opponent the same, but Arkansas State could be a tricky opponent in the home opener.
"I think they're a tough team," Stokes said. "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."
