SPORTS

Former UWF QB Marcus Stokes Leads Memphis Past UNLV in Season Opener

The Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year made his Tigers debut count — and a former Gulf South rival got tougher news from the NFL.

The University of Memphis Tigers opened their season with a 27-21 win over UNLV, with former University of West Florida quarterback Marcus Stokes under center.

Stokes finished 15-for-26 for 223 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard strike. He also rushed seven times for 45 yards.

The Commercial Appeal praised the transfer for taking care of the ball and displaying good decision-making.

“Anytime a quarterback’s not turning the ball over and he’s making good decisions, we’re going to have a chance to win,” Head Coach Charles Huff told the newspaper. “Probably five or six throws he’d love to have back that we missed that he was probably a little off platform here or there, but then you flip that around, he managed the game well.”

A rocky start with the Gators. Stokes was highly recruited out of high school and signed with the University of Florida. The Gators withdrew their offer after video surfaced of him in a car singing along to a song that included the N-word. He later issued a statement saying he was rapping along to the music, acknowledged his words were hurtful and offensive, and said he respected UF’s decision.

His path through UWF. Stokes redshirted his first season with the Argos. In 2024, he appeared in eight games, throwing for 1,540 yards with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, while adding 163 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground.

• Led the Argos to a 10-2 record and an NCAA Division II Super Region 2 semifinal appearance
• Threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns
• Rushed for 367 yards and 10 touchdowns
• Named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year