The Tigers produced a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver, but their most turnovers since 2006 turned an early lead into a frustrating 31-17 loss.
Memphis Gave This One Away: Six Turnovers Sink Tigers at Tulane
Memphis had the explosive plays, the rushing production and enough opportunities to make Friday night look much different. What the Tigers couldn’t do was protect the football. Three interceptions and three lost fumbles doomed Memphis in a 31-17 loss to Tulane at Yulman Stadium, turning a promising start into a night defined by squandered chances.
The Tigers fell to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the American despite 306 passing yards from Marcus Stokes, 135 rushing yards from Jaylin Carter and a career-best receiving performance from Stonka Burnside. Memphis’ six turnovers were its most since facing East Carolina in 2006, when the Tigers threw five interceptions and lost a fumble.
An Early Lead Became a Second-Quarter Nightmare
Memphis opened with an immediate reminder of its big-play potential. Stokes connected with Jemyri Davis for 48 yards on the Tigers’ first offensive play, setting up Philippe Laforge’s 44-yard field goal. After Tulane tied the game with a 56-yard field goal, Memphis needed only two plays to move back in front.
Stokes found Burnside crossing the middle, and Burnside turned the reception into a 76-yard touchdown. The longest catch of his career gave Memphis a 10-3 lead less than a minute into the second quarter.
The Tigers then received an opportunity to seize control. Tarik Ahmetbasic’s ensuing kickoff hung in the wind, and Jaylen Lewis recovered it at the Tulane 25-yard line. Memphis had the lead, possession and a short field — but gave the ball back on a strip-sack of Stokes.
It was the first of several moments when an opportunity to strengthen the Tigers’ position instead slipped away. A Manny Covey fumble later helped set up Trace Johnson’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Destyn Hill, giving Tulane a 13-10 lead with 4:16 remaining before halftime. Another Green Wave field goal pushed the deficit to six.
Memphis appeared to have a chance to recover some momentum when Ahmere Foster intercepted Johnson and returned the ball 37 yards to the Tulane 32 with 10 seconds left in the half.
Instead, the next possession produced the most damaging mistake of the night. TJ Smith undercut a Stokes pass toward the sideline and returned the interception 76 yards for a touchdown with six seconds remaining. Tulane entered halftime ahead 23-10 after scoring all 23 of its first-half points in the second quarter.
Memphis committed four turnovers and allowed five sacks in the opening 30 minutes.
The Tigers Reached Scoring Territory but Couldn’t Finish
The second half offered Memphis opportunities to recover. Too often, those possessions ended without points. Tulane stopped the Tigers on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line in the third quarter. Another promising drive ended when a Stokes pass ricocheted off Tychaun Chapman and was intercepted near the Tulane goal line.
Memphis could move the ball. Finishing drives remained the problem. The Tigers finally broke through in the fourth quarter, putting together a 13-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. Stokes found Davis for a 6-yard score with 3:34 remaining, cutting Tulane’s lead to 23-17.
Despite the turnovers and missed opportunities, Memphis was back within one possession. Tulane ended the comeback bid with a decisive answer. Facing fourth-and-1, Johnnie Daniels broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run that put the game away.
For Memphis, it was the final blow in a game filled with chances to change the outcome. The offense generated explosive gains and sustained movement, but the giveaways repeatedly prevented that production from becoming enough points.
Career Performances Were Buried Beneath the Mistakes
Stokes completed 20 of 37 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns, recording his third 300-yard passing game of the season. His season-high three interceptions, however, helped define the result.
Carter rushed for 135 yards on a career-high 23 carries, giving him consecutive games with more than 100 rushing yards. Burnside finished with seven receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown, establishing career highs in catches and receiving yards.
Davis added four receptions for 89 yards and a score. Carter and Burnside gave Memphis its first 100-yard rushing and 100-yard receiving combination of the season. The Tigers last accomplished that pairing with Greg Desrosiers Jr. and Cortez Braham Jr. against Florida Atlantic last season.
Defensively, Mike Montgomery led Memphis with 10 tackles for the second consecutive game. Foster added his second interception of the season and five tackles. Elijah Kinsler recorded two tackles for loss and forced a late fumble that Tulane recovered. Those individual contributions couldn’t overcome the turnovers.
Memphis’ mistakes ended a 35-game streak of committing two or fewer turnovers, the second-longest such streak by an American Conference team. The Tigers’ 17 points were their fewest since a 31-7 loss to NC State in the 2025 Gasparilla Bowl.
Memphis now returns to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for a Thursday matchup with East Carolina. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
The Tigers leave New Orleans knowing they had opportunities to win. They also leave with a clear explanation for why they didn’t: too many possessions ended with Tulane holding the ball.
