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Memphis offense’s top performers from the non-conference slate
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- Memphis offense’s top performers from the non-conference slate
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
Memphis didn't play last weekend after four straight games to start the season, and it will start conference play on Saturday with a road game against Charlotte. With the non-conference slate behind them, it's time to look at the top performers from Charles Huff's offense through the first four games of the season.
Huff brought in a ton of new pieces at every position, but three skill players have made massive statements to start the season. Here's three of the top performers for the offense through the first four games of the year.
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Marcus Stokes transferred to Memphis from Division II West Florida , and he spent most of the spring and preseason in a quarterback battle with South Carolina transfer Air Noland . Stokes won the job and has played well through the first four games of the season.
The quarterback has thrown for 1,053 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions, and he ranks in the top 26 nationally in passing yards (No. 26), touchdowns (No. 21) and quarterback rating (No. 17).
One of the biggest questions will be if he can limit the turnovers. After a clean showing in the season opener against UNLV, Stokes threw three interceptions in a two-game span against Arkansas State and Boise state, but he bounced back in week 3 with no interceptions against UT Martin.
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Jaylin Carter followed the coaching staff from Southern Miss after spending his freshman season in Hattiesburg. He joined a running back room with a pair of Power Four transfers, but he was the first running back on the field against the Rebels.
Through four games, Carter has ran for 437 yards and six touchdowns on 55 carries, and he ranks No. 9 in yards and No. 5 in touchdowns at the FBS level.
His marque game was the home opener against Arkansas State where he ran for 183 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. Since that game, teams have been game planning for him, and he has recorded 152 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
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While he had 95 yards against Boise, he had an 80-yard run in the first half and only accumulated 15 yards on the remaining eight carries.
It will be interesting to see how defenses play him during the conference slate.
TE Hunter Tipton
Hunter Tipton is another player who joined the Tigers during the offseason, and it's his third FBS program after spending time at Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee.
Tipton recorded 31 yards in the first two games, but he made a statement in week 2 against the Broncos. Tipton went for 229 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions.
The tight end got a little banged up in that game, and he was used less in the matchup against UT Martin. It will be interesting to see what he looks like in conference play, but with his size and versatility, he should pose a challenge to a lot of defenses in the American.
