CBS Sports’ David Cobb continues his weekly quarterback power rankings, and Memphis’ Marcus Stokes returned to the rankings after falling out following the Tulane game. The quarterback turned the ball over five times in the road loss and dropped from No. 24 to unranked, but he returned this week after his performance against East Carolina.uarterback power rankings

On Thursday, Stokes threw for 320 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, and he added two touchdowns with his legs.

It wasn’t a pretty first half for the quarterback. The Tigers couldn’t move the ball against the Pirates defense, and he finished the half with only 69 yards through the air. In the second half, the offense looked like a completely different group, and Stokes threw for 251 yards and played a role in all five touchdowns after the half.

In overtime, Stokes kept it on a quarterback keeper and dove towards the end zone, but when he took flight, he clipped an ECU defender and flipped into the end zone for the score.

Memphis was able to secure the win a few plays later on an interception from cornerback Ellis Ellis Jr.

With the performance, Stokes improved his stats to 2,161 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and six touchdowns. He ranks No. 9 in passing yards and No. 5 in touchdowns among FBS quarterbacks.

Stokes is one of 17 group of six quarterbacks in the power rankings, and he’s behind several quarterbacks from the American. UTSA’s Owen McCown, Tulsa’s Baylor Hayes, FAU’s Caden Veltkamp and North Texas’ Tayven Jackson are all listed ahead of Stokes.

Veltkamp had the biggest rise, moving up four spots from last week’s ranking, while McCown took a 17-spot tumble after throwing for 173 yards and two interceptions in a road win over Tulane.

The Tigers don’t play any of the American quarterbacks ahead of Stokes this season, but they could see one of them if they make the conference championship game. UTSA and North Texas are both 4-0 in conference play and will play on November 14.

Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson remains the top group of six quarterback in the power ranking, sitting at No. 2 behind Miami’s Darian Mensah. Atkinson ranks 22 spots ahead of the next group of six quarterback Boise State’s Maddux Madsen, who sits at No. 24.

Former Tiger JC French IV, who is now at Cincinnati, is also on the list at No. 33.

Stokes will return to the field on Saturday when Memphis hosts Army.

Source: Yahoo Sports