East Carolina vs. Memphis Recap: Stokes Wins It in Overtime

Memphis beat East Carolina 41-34 in overtime on Thursday night. ECU controlled the first half and led 16-3 at the break, then the game turned into a shootout: Memphis scored on its first drive of the third quarter, the teams traded touchdowns into the fourth, and a Landon Sides touchdown with 1:30 left tied it 34-34. Marcus Stokes ran in from 5 yards in overtime, and ECU's answering drive ended in an interception. Five DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

ALT: Over 46.5 total points (-305 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: All 7 Memphis games this year cleared 46.5, and ECU games did in 4 of 6. The main total was 55.5, so the alt rung gave us room. - What happened: 75 total points, 28.5 over the line. Even at the end of regulation the score was 34-34, well clear of 46.5. - Worth watching: The first half produced 19 points, then the second half and overtime produced 56. Second-half scoring carried this one well past the number.

Marcus Stokes 175+ passing yards (-350 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Stokes came in with 1,841 yards in 7 games, 263 per game, and had cleared 175 in 6 of 7. - What happened: 320 passing yards on 29/43, 145.5 over the line. His 59-yard touchdown to Jermane Hayes opened the third quarter. - Worth watching: He followed 306 yards against Tulane with 320 here. The 175 rung was a long way under his usual output.

Marcus Stokes 2+ passing TDs (-198 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Stokes had thrown 2+ touchdowns in 6 of 7 games with 18 on the season, and Memphis was a 10.5-point home favorite. - What happened: 3 touchdown passes: 59 yards to Hayes and 20 and 4 yards to Jemyri Davis. He also ran for 2 more, including the overtime winner. - Worth watching: Davis caught 7 balls for 91 yards and both of his scores came from Stokes. The red-zone looks are spread between Stokes' arm and his legs.

ALT: East Carolina +13.5 (-148 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: ECU covered +13.5 in 8 of its last 10 and 5 of 5 recent games, and Memphis had failed to win by 14+ in 6 of its last 10. The main line was Memphis -10.5. - What happened: ECU lost by 7 in overtime, so the alt line covered with 6.5 points to spare. ECU led for most of the night. - Worth watching: ECU ran for 161 yards on 38 attempts, nearly matching Memphis's 164. A run game that travels keeps ECU competitive as an underdog.

ALT: East Carolina over 18.5 points (-190 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: ECU scored 19+ in 4 of 6 this season and 8 of its last 10, and Memphis allowed 19+ in 5 of 7. The main ECU team total was 21.5. - What happened: ECU scored 34. Noah Perez kicked four field goals, and TJ Engleman Jr., Ashton Gray and Sides scored touchdowns. - Worth watching: ECU was at 16 by halftime on field goals and one touchdown. Perez gives this offense points even when drives stall.

How the game played out

ECU's defense held Memphis to a field goal in the first half. After the break, Stokes and the Memphis offense found a rhythm, scoring touchdowns on drives of 75, 75 and 80 yards. ECU turned it over 3 times, including two Mitch Griffis interceptions, while Memphis turned it over once.

Trends to watch

• Stokes threw 43 passes and added 7 carries for 31 yards. His volume as a passer is the base for his yardage and touchdown props.
• ECU ran 38 times for 161 yards, led by Engleman's 92 on 18 carries. Possession was nearly even, 29:01 to 30:59.
• Sides caught 7 passes for 130 yards for ECU. He is the clear top target when Griffis is in.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. Learn how an alt line or a point spread works, or see the latest on our CFB hub.