Marcus Stokes’ brilliant performance against Army earned the junior Memphis quarterback the offensive player of the week award from the American Conference and moved the Tigers into a better position to earn one of the two spots in the league’s championship game in early December.
Stokes accounted for five touchdowns in Memphis’ 49-22 victory over the Black Knights on Saturday night at Liberty Stadium in Memphis. He completed 29 of 35 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing seven times for 30 yards and adding another score on the ground.
Memphis is now 7-2 on the season and 4-1 in the American Conference. UTSA and North Texas are both 4-0 in league play.
South Florida senior CJ Hicks was named the defensive player of the week. He tied a school record and became the first American Conference player since 2024 to register at least four sacks in a single game in Bulls’ 30-10 win over UAB. Hicks had five total tackles, four sacks and a pass deflection in the win over UAB.
Tulane senior kick returner TJ Smith was named the special teams player of the week. He returned a pair of kickoffs for an average of 63 yards including a 95-yard return for a touchdown to help lead Tulane to a comeback 38-31 overtime win over Charlotte. It was the longest kickoff return by a Tulane player since 2024.
Here is a look at how Army’s 2026 opponents fared last week:
Bryant (5-4) – The visiting Bulldogs were no match for FCS-Coastal Athletic Conference-leading Monmouth, losing to the Hawks, 34-21. Brennan Myer passed for 133 yards and a touchdown for Bryant, while teammate Deshon Jenkins rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown. Up next: Albany.
South Florida (6-2, 2-2 in the American) – Behind Hicks defensive prowess, the Bulls were able to overcome a 10-0 deficit to knock off visiting UAB, 30-10. South Florida did not product much offense, with quarterback Luke Kromenhoek completing seven passes for just 39 yards. He rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries. Up next: at East Carolina (Friday night).
Temple (2-6, 1-3 in the American) – The Owls were limited to three Carl Hardin field goals in a 17-9 loss at East Carolina. Ajani Sheppard completed 11 of 20 passes for 118 yards and rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries. But he also threw three interceptions. Up next: at Navy
Louisiana Tech (6-2) – Quarterback Blake Baker completed 10 of 16 passes for 167 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 35-20 victory over host South Alabama. Up next: At Troy.
Tulane (4-4, 2-2 in the American) – The Green Wave needed overtime to defeat pesky Charlotte. But backup quarterback Dagan Bruno’s one-yard rush for a score in overtime gave Tulane a 38-31 victory over the 49ers. Johnnie Daniels rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns for Tulane. Up Next: Tulsa.
Florida Atlantic (5-3, 2-2 in the American) – Visiting FAU and North Texas both lit up the scoreboard on Thursday night. But the Mean Green had a little more in the tank, beating the Owls 48-41. Caden Veltkamp passed for 452 yards and five touchdowns for FAU, while his top target, Easton Messer, caught 16 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Up next: at UTSA (Thursday night).
Tulsa (4-4, 1-3 in the American) – The Golden Hurricane were off last weekend. Up next: At Tulane.
Memphis (7-2, 4-1 in the American) – Stokes had a lot of targets to choose from in the Tigers 49-22 victory over Army. Jermane Hayes and Jemyri Davis each caught two touchdown passes and tight end Hunter Tipton caught five passes for 86 yards. Braylon Burnside also caught five passes for 61 yards. Running back Jayline Carter rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Up Next: Bye.
Air Force (6-2) – The Falcons had to turn to quarterback number four on the season to defeat visiting UConn, 35-26. This time it was Kemper Hodges who took over the signal calling for the Falcons. He only attempted one pass, which fell incomplete, but ran for 200 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries to lead the Falcons to the win. Up next: at Army (Saturday night).
East Carolina (4-4, 2-2 in the American) – TJ Engleman was up to his old tricks on Saturday in the Pirates’ 17-9 win over visiting Temple. He ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries to power the East Carolina victory. Quarterback Mitch Griffis completed 17 of 30 passes for 130 yards. Up Next: South Florida (Friday night).
Rice (1-7, 0-4 in the American) – The Owls did not play last weekend. Up next: at North Texas.
Navy (2-6, 1-4 in the American) – The Midshipmen took a 13-7 lead over Notre Dame in a non-league game played in Foxborough, Mass. on Saturday. But that was all Navy could muster as the Fighting Irish knocked off the Midshipmen 35-13. Navy quarterback Jackson Gutierrez completed just four of seven passes for 25 yards, but he again led the team in rushing, with 110 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Up next: Temple.
