Marcus Stokes' 4 TDs, Jordan Thompson's score power Memphis over UT Martin 45-21

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- — Marcus Stokes threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns, and Jordan Thompson rushed for 110 yards and a score as Memphis beat Tennessee-Martin 45-21 on Saturday. Stokes threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Tychaun Chapman in the first quarter and a 17-yard score to Jaylin Carter early in the second to give the Tigers (3-1) a 17-0 lead. UT Martin (1-3) got on the board after freshman quarterback Tate Surber threw the first touchdown pass of his career: an 8-yard strike to Makhia Sherrard. Stokes answered with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Harding, whose first career catch gave Memphis a 24-7 halftime lead. Stokes connected with Hunter Tipton for a 7-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half to extend the lead to 31-7. He completed 26 of 32 passes with no turnovers. Thompson broke a 72-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up backup quarterback Air Noland’s first career touchdown pass, a 3-yarder to Joshua Joseph. Thompson added a 1-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds remaining. Memphis rushed for 299 yards. Surber threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns for the Skyhawks. Up next Memphis: Off next week before traveling to Charlotte on Oct. 3. UT Martin: At Austin Peay next Saturday. ------ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.