MEMPHIS — Army had answers early. Then the rain moved in, the stadium started clearing out, and Memphis turned Homecoming into a 49–22 win that the fans who stayed watched all the way to the finish.
Army answered. Memphis answered back.
Memphis struck first, and Army answered with a touchdown of its own. The Tigers responded with a five-play, 75-yard drive to take a 14–7 lead.
Army kept grinding. The Black Knights tied it at 14 in the second quarter, but Memphis came right back with an eight-play, 68-yard touchdown drive to regain control.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes had 258 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the first half alone. The Tigers spread the ball around, and went to the break up 28–14.
The rain bowl Water on the field as the fourth quarter wore on. Photo by Anthony Robinson / We Don't Bluff.
28–14Memphis at halftime
371Stokes passing yards
5Stokes total touchdowns
49–22Final score
Then came the rain
By the third quarter the rain was coming down and the stands were emptying. The fourth quarter became a Homecoming rain bowl — water on the field, puddles in the end zones, and a crowd thinned to the people who refused to leave.
Memphis kept going. Stokes scored on the ground to make it 42–22 with 5:37 remaining, and Jaylin Carter added a late touchdown run to finish it.
The defense closed the door
Chauncey Logan Jr. came up with an interception and a five-yard return with 5:11 remaining. Ellis Jr. added another interception near the end of the game.
Final line
Stokes finished with 371 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and a rushing score. The rain changed the atmosphere. It didn't change the outcome.
WDB Field View
From the press box
The rain, as it looked from upstairs at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Homecoming, soaked
The fans who stayed saw the finish.
It was Homecoming. It was a downpour. And it was a 49–22 Memphis win. The Tigers handled Army's early answers and kept scoring through the weather.
Press-box video by Bryant Warren / We Don't Bluff.
Photo Essay
From the press box to the sidelines
On-field action. Photo: Anthony Robinson.From the stands. Photo: Anthony Robinson.Rain-soaked action. Photo: Anthony Robinson.Postgame on the field. Photo: Anthony Robinson.Stadium view. Photo: Bryant Warren.
WDB Postgame
Stokes and Hayes after the win
Anthony Robinson put the questions to the players after the game while Bryant Warren recorded the interviews — including whether the team had practiced with the sprinklers on to get ready for weather like this, and a run through NIL.
Joint player interviewMarcus Stokes and Jermane Hayes
Defensive player of the gameChauncey Logan Jr.
WDB Postgame
Every clip from the night
Game film and the full set of podium video, as recorded — including the questions about practising with the sprinklers on and the run through NIL.
Game film From a full house to the rain-soaked finishThe downpour Rain through the stadium lightsChauncey Logan Jr. Defensive player of the gameMarcus Stokes and Jermane Hayes PostgameMarcus Stokes Postgame press conferenceJermane Hayes Postgame press conference
Questions by Anthony Robinson. Recorded and produced by Bryant Warren / We Don’t Bluff.
The WDB Bottom Line
The fans who stayed saw the finish.
It was Homecoming. It was a downpour. And it was a 49–22 Memphis win. The Tigers handled Army's early answers, kept scoring through the rain, and let the defense close it out.
Memphis 49. Army 22. Final.
On-field photography and postgame player interviews by Anthony Robinson. Fan-view and press-box photography, interview recording and production by Bryant Warren. Independent game-day reporting for We Don't Bluff.
