Memphis football quarterback Air Noland got the first extended playing time of his collegiate career in theTigers' game against UT Martin on Sept. 19 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Noland, a transfer from South Carolina, came in for starter Marcus Stokes late in the third quarter of the game. The Tigers (3-1) were in control for nearly the entire game and ultimately won 45-21.
Stokes won the offseason quarterback competition with Noland, a former four-star recruit who started his career at Ohio State before transferring to South Carolina. He's in his third season of college football and has two more years of eligibility after 2026.
"For the most part, I thought he executed the game plan as well as he did in practice," coach Charles Huff said
postgame. "What he had an opportunity to prove, I think he proved it for us. He's been phenomenal in practice."
Noland had appeared in relief of Stokes in Memphis' win over Arkansas State on Sept. 5, but he didn't attempt a pass.
Against UT Martin, he threw an interception but regrouped and tossed the first touchdown pass of his career.
Here's a look at Noland's stat line from Memphis' game against UT Martin.
Air Noland stats vs UT Martin
Noland was 2 of 3 for 15 yards to go with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed one time for four yards.
Memphis coach Charles Huff said after the game that the interception was on the coaches. He said he liked the way Noland prepared after he lost the quarterback competition to Stokes.
"For the most part, we wanted to get a chance today to see him in game, let him run the offense," Huff said. "Because if something happens and he has to be the starter, we don't want to wait until then to find out what he can do."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Air Noland fared in first extended action as Memphis football QB
