Arkansas State had enough talent to make Saturday uncomfortable. Charles Huff made sure Memphis had the toughness to make it decisive.
Charles Huff Didn’t Let Memphis Walk Into the Trap
Charles Huff did not need Memphis to play perfectly against Arkansas State. He needed his team to play like the favorite. The Tigers did. Memphis beat Arkansas State 42-24 after falling behind 3-0 in the first quarter. The final score was comfortable, but Arkansas State had enough early success to make the afternoon interesting. The Red Wolves completed 21 of 30 passes, gained 434 yards, and found explosive plays through the air.
Memphis still won because it was tougher when the game mattered. The Tigers rushed for 335 yards, forced four turnovers, and scored touchdowns on all three red-zone trips. Arkansas State moved the football, but Memphis made the Red Wolves pay for their mistakes. That is how a favorite handles a potential trap game.
Memphis Found Its Identity
The identity was easy to see. Memphis ran 48 times for 335 yards. That is 7.0 yards per carry. Jaylin Carter led the way with 183 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Noah Covey added 103 yards on 15 carries. The Tigers did not build the lead with gimmicks. They built it by running through Arkansas State. That is important after the UNLV game. Memphis escaped Las Vegas with a 27-21 win, but the Tigers spent too much time reacting. They were outgained and struggled to possess the football.
Arkansas State was different. Once Memphis got settled, the Tigers dictated the game. Carter’s 74-yard touchdown run was the biggest play, but his 2-yard, 13-yard and 24-yard touchdown runs mattered just as much. They proved Memphis could finish drives and get tough yards. Huff wants a team that can handle pressure without panicking. Saturday gave him proof.
Turnovers Changed the Game
Arkansas State did not lose because it lacked offense. Quarterback Trey Owens completed 21 of 30 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. Chauncy Cobb caught seven passes for 112 yards. Hunter Summers added five catches for 75 yards. Those are winning-level numbers in many games. They were not enough because Arkansas State gave the football away four times.
Memphis intercepted Owens twice and recovered two fumbles. The Tigers turned Arkansas State’s promising possessions into wasted chances, especially in the first half when the game was still close. That is where Huff’s team made its statement.
Memphis did not panic after the Red Wolves opened with a field goal. The Tigers stayed aggressive. They kept coming after the ball. They gave their offense extra opportunities. The defense also held Arkansas State to one touchdown in three trips inside the red zone. That is winning situational football.
Boise State Will Punish Mistakes
The result was strong. The standard has to remain higher. Stokes threw two interceptions in Arkansas State territory. Memphis committed five penalties for 45 yards. The defense allowed too many explosive completions, including gains of 40, 26, 25, 22 and 20 yards. Those mistakes did not matter enough against Arkansas State.
They will matter at Boise State. The Broncos will have more depth, more speed and a hostile home environment. Memphis cannot hand away possessions inside the 20. It cannot allow a veteran opponent to throw freely downfield and assume four takeaways will arrive again. Huff needs his team to carry the toughness forward while eliminating the carelessness. That is the next step.
Huff’s Blueprint Grade: A-.
Memphis did not play a spotless game. It played a mature one. The Tigers overcame an early deficit, established the run, created takeaways and put away a rival that came to town hoping for an upset. That is how a program grows. Huff has his first home win. Now he needs his team to prove it can take the same edge to Boise.
