Our takeaways from Memphis football’s loss to Tulane, starting with turnovers

NEW ORLEANS — Through the first six games of the 2026 season, Memphis football had turned it over five times.

The Tigers (5-2, 2-1 American Conference) outdid that total in a shocking 31-17 loss to Tulane on Oct. 16 at Yulman Stadium. Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes accounted for five of six Memphis turnovers (two lost fumbles, three interceptions) while running back Manny Covey also lost a fumble.

It resulted in a defeat to a Tulane team that was led by Trace Johnson, a true freshman making his first career start. He was solid, but he didn’t need to do much after Tulane (3-3, 1-1) got a defensive touchdown and plenty of good starting field position.

Stokes connected with Jemyri Davis for a late touchdown that gave Memphis a chance, but Johnnie Daniels rushed for a 48-yard touchdown to salt the game away for Tulane.

It was almost unbelievable to watch it happen. The Green Wave came in with a losing record and with a coach in Will Hall who already seemed to be on the hot seat less than halfway through his first season. But they ended up with a comfortable win and still have not lost at Yulman Stadium since Memphis beat them in 2024.

Here are our takeaways from a shocking loss for Memphis.

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That feels like a footnote considering the Tigers didn’t look anything like a team that is even remotely in the playoff conversation against Tulane, but the loss stamps it pretty definitively.

The Tigers were always going to need help to get to the playoff after the early-season loss to Boise State, but the path definitely included Memphis winning out and claiming the American Conference title. That’s done now.

Memphis still has a chance to get to the American title game, but the Tigers will most likely need to win out. If they play anything like they did against the Green Wave, that won’t happen.

The Tigers had played generally terribly in the first half, but Ahmere Foster’s interception with 10 seconds left in the first half gave Memphis a chance to build some momentum before the break.

With the ball at the Tulane 32-yard line, Stokes first threw an incompletion before tossing an interception that TJ Smith returned 76 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half.

It was a demoralizing play for Memphis and gave Tulane plenty of momentum.

Tulane focused much of its attention on trying to stop Memphis’ running game, but Carter had another strong performance. He had 23 carries for 135 yards.

He has been one of Memphis’ best players the first seven games of the season. But the way the passing attack played against Tulane is only going to put more opposing defenders in the box moving forward.

It was hard to fathom what happened to Memphis’ offense in the first half. Stokes fumbled three times (losing two) while Manny Covey also lost a fumble, and Stokes threw the interception at the end of the half.

Memphis gave the Green Wave opportunity after opportunity to start drives with good field position, even if they didn’t always take advantage of it.

For an offense that prides itself on taking care of the ball, it was a stunning start to the game.

Memphis is back in action on a short week when it hosts East Carolina on Oct. 22 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2).

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Our takeaways from Memphis football’s loss to Tulane, starting with turnovers