American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 2.
| Team | Week 2 | Result | Record | Up Next |
| Charlotte | vs Maryland | L, 38-20 | 1-1 | vs Georgia St |
| ECU | vs Marshall | L, 31-13 | 0-2 | at App St |
| FAU | vs Ohio | L, 17-10 | 1-1 | at Clemson |
| Memphis | at Arkansas St | W, 37-3 | 2-0 | vs Navy |
| Navy | vs Wagner | W, 24-0 | 1-1 | at Memphis |
| North Texas | at FIU | L, 46-39 | 0-2 | at LA Tech |
| Rice | vs Houston | W, 43-41 (2OT) | 1-1 | vs Texas So |
| SMU | at Oklahoma | L, 28-11 | 1-1 | vs PVAMU |
| Temple | at Rutgers | L, 36-7 | 1-2 | vs Norfolk St |
| Tulane | vs Ole Miss | L, 37-20 | 1-1 | at So. Miss |
| Tulsa | at Washington | L, 43-10 | 1-1 | vs Oklahoma |
| UAB | at Georgia So | L, 49-35 | 1-1 | vs Louisiana |
| USF | vs FAMU | W, 38-24 | 1-1 | vs Alabama |
| UTSA | vs TXST | W, 20-13 | 1-1 | vs Army |
Notable Results (Standings)
Rice claims Bayou Bucket
For the first time since 2010, a span of 12 seasons and seven consecutive series losses, Rice football took down Houston to claim the Bayou Bucket. The Owls jumped out to a 28-0 lead, allowed 35 unanswered points and then prevailed in double overtime. Head coach Mike Bloomgren celebrated afterward with a not-so-subtle shot at his counterpart across town.
Oh the difference a year can make…. pic.twitter.com/7QU0blJZqA
— The Roost (@AtTheRoost) September 10, 2023
Prattless Letdown
Tulane dropped a heartbreaker to Ole Miss at home in a game that was much closer than the final score might indicate. Playing without star quarterback Michael Pratt, who was unable to go with an injury, Tulane played Ole Miss to a 17-10 lead at halftime and a 17-17 tie entering the fourth quarter before the Rebels were able to pull away. No Pratt really was a buzzkill in what was otherwise an exciting game.
Harris hurt, but not defeated
On a day when another of the conference’s top quarterbacks was unable to go, UTSA passer Frank Harris delivered a scare to the near-record crowd at hand to see the Roadrunners take on the upstart Texas State Bobcats. Harris left the game briefly but was able to return, finishing the game and leading UTSA to victory despite playing hobbled the rest of the way.
Looking ahead – Key storylines
The big boys are coming to town
There are a handful of additional opportunities for Power 5 wins for the AAC next week, but two of those games come at home. Tulsa will host Oklahoma and South Florida will host Alabama. Both will be long shots to pull off a stunner, but getting to play in front of your home crowd certainly can’t hurt.
The going stays tough
There are only two winless AAC teams remaining entering Week 3. North Texas, who just lost to former Conference USA foe FIU on the road this past Saturday turns around and travels to another former C-USA rival next weekend when they visit Louisiana Tech. That’s a game new head coach Eric Morris simply has to find a way to win. Meanwhile, ECU has an even tougher test, taking on an Appalachian State squad that took North Carolina to overtime.
Make it count
The first conference game will be played next weekend when Navy visits Memphis. The bulk of conference play will start for most squads in Week 4, but for at least a week, one of these two squads will officially be atop the conference standings.