LAS VEGAS (AP) — Marcus Stokes threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns as Memphis rattled off the final 13 points to beat UNLV 27-21 on Saturday night in a season opener for both teams.
The win helped Charles Huff become the first Tigers head coach to win a road debut game.
Stokes completed 15 of 26 passes with no turnovers, while Jaylin Carter rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
UNLV took a 14-7 halftime lead behind Jackson Arnold, who threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Tavian McNair and added a 6-yard touchdown run. The Rebels had won their previous 11 games when leading at the break, with their last loss coming against Syracuse on Oct. 4, 2024.
Stokes tied the game early in the third quarter with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Stonka Burnside, but Arnold answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Kayden McGee. Carter then scored on a 36-yard run to make it 21-all.
Philippe Laforge kicked field goals of 32 and 36 yards to put Memphis ahead 27-21.
UNLV reached the Memphis 18 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Tigers sacked Arnold on fourth-and-7 with 6:08 remaining for a turnover on downs and continued to apply pressure down the stretch to seal the win. The Tigers finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
Arnold threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
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UNLV quarterback leads on and off the field
Alex Orji is one of only 162 student-athletes nationwide nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team and one of just 113 players on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
UNLV quarterback is a leader on and off the football field
Alex Orji is one of only 162 student-athletes nationwide nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team and one of just 113 players on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List.
UNLV's Jai'Den 'Jet' Thomas lands on Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list
UNLV running back Jai'Den "Jet" Thomas earned a spot on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list for the second straight year as he prepares for his fourth season with the Rebels.
UNLV's Jai'Den 'Jet' Thomas lands on Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list
UNLV running back Jai'Den "Jet" Thomas earned a spot on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list for the second straight year as he prepares for his fourth season with the Rebels.
