East Carolina at Memphis
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 7:30 PM ET Share
East Carolina plays at Memphis on Thursday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. It will be their 27th meeting; East Carolina leads the series 18–8.
Game notes: the series, streaks, the coaches and school records within reach, from the research desk.
Upcoming at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, MemphisForecast at kickoff: 75°F, clear, NNE wind 5 mphNational Weather Service forecast, Mon 1:15 AM ETTV: ESPN2
Preview
| East Carolina | Memphis | |
|---|---|---|
| 3–3 | Record | 5–2 |
| −0.00 (124th) | EPA per play | 0.19 (53rd) |
| −0.04 (24th) | EPA per play allowed | 0.05 (65th) |
| 38% (123rd) | Success rate | 49% (27th) |
| 34% (13th) | Success rate allowed | 38% (49th) |
| 1.21 (88th) | Explosiveness | 1.24 (64th) |
| 2.8 (122nd) | Points per trip inside the 40 | 4.2 (45th) |
| 21% (10th) | Havoc caused | 17% (52nd) |
| 0.04 | Opponent-adjusted EPA | 0.21 |
| 0.05 | Opponent-adjusted EPA allowed | 0.07 |
East Carolina
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory Williams QB | 73% | 0.10 | |
| TJ Engleman RB | 35% | 0.36 | 0.25 |
| Ashton Gray RB | 24% | −0.04 | 0.15 |
| Nathaniel Joseph WR | 24% | 0.17 | |
| Jeremiah Melvin WR | 22% | 0.10 | |
| Tyler Johnson WR | 11% | −0.37 |
Kicker: Noah Perez, 2.7 points below a replacement kicker on six field-goal tries.
Memphis
| Player | Share | EPA/play | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Stokes QB | 95% | 0.44 | 0.36 |
| Jaylin Carter RB | 39% | 0.32 | 0.42 |
| Manny Covey RB | 19% | −0.07 | 0.10 |
| Braylon Burnside WR | 18% | 0.90 | |
| Jermane Hayes WR | 16% | 0.45 | |
| Hunter Tipton TE | 14% | 1.03 |
Kicker: Philippe Laforge, 2.0 points above a replacement kicker on eight field-goal tries.
Each side’s numbers this season, with its rank in the nation (first is best, on defense too), from CollegeFootballData.com’s game preview, as of October 17. The better side of each line is bold. Key players are each side’s leading passer, two leading runners and three leading receivers by share of plays. Adjusted: EPA per play adjusted for the defenses faced.
Players to watch
East Carolina
- Running backT.J. Engleman490 rushing yards, 3 TDLast: at UAB, 26 carries, 104 yards; 3 catches, 17 yardsTeam leader in rushing yards
- QuarterbackEmory Williams655 passing yards, 7 TDLast: at UAB, 18 of 27, 126 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 12 carries, 40 yardsTeam leader in passing yards
- LinebackerD.J. Johnson Jr.42 tackles, 0.5 sacksLast: at UAB, 5 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Memphis
- QuarterbackMarcus Stokes1,841 passing yards, 18 TDLast: at Tulane, 20 of 37, 306 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT; 15 carries, 12 yardsNo. 7 in FBS in passing touchdowns
- Running backJaylin Carter780 rushing yards, 8 TDLast: at Tulane, 23 carries, 135 yards; 3 catches, 15 yardsNo. 7 in FBS in rushing yards
- LinebackerMichael Montgomery46 tacklesLast: at Tulane, 10 tacklesTeam leader in tackles
Each side’s two top producers this season (national leaders first) and its leading tackler.
Before kickoff
Our ratings and the line, going in
Our ratings (scores only)
Memphis 63% to win.
The line
Memphis −9.5, over/under 53.5.
Updated once a night until kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.
Win chances before kickoff: Memphis 74%, East Carolina 26%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.
The series
Every East Carolina–Memphis gameEast Carolina leads 18–8 in 26 meetings.
Around this game
East Carolina
- Next gamevs. TempleOct. 31, 2026
- SeasonEast Carolina in 2026
- ProgramEast Carolina history and records
Memphis
- Next gamevs. ArmyOct. 31, 2026
- SeasonMemphis in 2026
- ProgramMemphis history and records