Memphis Tigers head coach Charles Huff addressed the media on Tuesday to discuss his team's recent performance following their 27-21 victory over the UNLV Rebels. The game, which aired late Saturday night on FOX, marked an exciting start to the season for the Tigers. However, Huff is keenly aware that there are areas that require significant improvement as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Arkansas State.
The Tigers experienced a sluggish start, particularly on offense, but managed to find their rhythm in the second quarter and continued to build momentum in the second half. Defensively, the team held strong against UNLV's offensive efforts, with the defensive line making critical stops in the latter stages of the game.
Despite the win, Huff expressed concerns after reviewing game footage, indicating that his squad must address several issues before they face Arkansas State. "As a football team, we have to improve fast," Huff stated. He acknowledged the excitement surrounding the victory but emphasized the need for immediate enhancements. "There’s a lot of positives, but there’s a lot of areas where we’ve got to take some major steps. We’ve got to do it fast because we have a great opponent coming in."
Among the positives was the performance of quarterback Marcus Stokes, who was named the starter for the game. Stokes completed 223 passing yards, threw two touchdown passes, and added 45 rushing yards. Although he struggled with some early throws, Huff praised Stokes for his ability to rebound. "The thing I was most impressed with about Marcus was he was able to respond," Huff noted. He highlighted the challenges Stokes faced, including adapting to a new system and players, and credited UNLV's defense for their effective strategies.
While fans were generally pleased with the Tigers' running game, Huff was less satisfied with the performance of his running backs. He remarked, "I thought they were about as average as grits," indicating that the team could have achieved significantly more on the ground. The coach pointed out that the running backs, particularly Jaylin Carter and Manny Covey, who combined for 143 rushing yards, needed to exercise more patience in finding holes. Carter notably contributed 97 yards and a touchdown.
Huff believes that with experience, the running backs will improve their decision-making on the field. "I think you got a chance to see some of their ability," he said, noting that the game tends to slow down for players as they gain more experience. He reiterated the importance of consistency, stating that both the offense and defense need to execute better. Despite the defensive line's strong performance, he felt there were still opportunities for improvement.
As the Memphis Tigers prepare for their next game against Arkansas State, Huff's focus remains on refining their execution and ensuring that his team is ready to face the challenges ahead. The upcoming matchup will be crucial for the Tigers as they aim to build on their opening victory and establish a stronger presence in the season.
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