Conference USA Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 1.
| Team | Week 1 | Result | Week 2 |
| Charlotte | vs Duke | W, 31-28 | vs Gardner-Webb |
| FAU | at Florida | L, 35-14 | vs Georgia Southern |
| FIU | vs Long Island | W, 54-10 | vs Texas St. |
| LA Tech | at Miss St. | L, 35-34 | vs SE Louisiana |
| Marshall | at Navy | W, 49-7 | vs NC Central |
| MTSU | vs Monmouth | W, 50-15 | at Virginia Tech |
| North Texas | vs Northwestern St. | W, 44-14 | at SMU |
| Old Dominion | at Wake Forest | L, 42-10 | vs Hampton |
| Rice | at Arkansas | L, 38-17 | vs Houston |
| Southern Miss | at South Alabama | L, 31-7 | vs Grambling |
| UAB | vs Jacksonville St. | W, 31-10 | at Georgia |
| UTEP | vs Bethune-Cookman | W, 37-28 | at Boise St. |
| UTSA | at Illinois | W, 37-30 | vs Lamar |
| WKU | vs UT Martin | W, 59-21 | at Army |
Notable Week 1 results – Standings
Power 5 performances
Charlotte put future foes on notice with their first-ever win over a Power 5 program, upsetting Duke behind a masterful game from quarterback Chris Reynolds. He threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns, leading not one, but two go-ahead scoring drives in the fourth quarter. UTSA followed up with an encore performance for C-USA, topping Illinois on big days from Sincere McCormick and Zakhari Franklin.
Power 5 (gut) punches
Rice and Louisiana Tech each held double-digit leads over their respective Power 5 opponents. Then the fourth quarter hit. Both schools surrendered 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points, erasing the fleeting moments of anticipation and replacing them with heartache.
2-0 UTEP !!
UTEP won two games in their first 24 outings under Dana Dimel. The Miners won three contests last year, but for the first time in Dimel’s tenure, they’re 2-0, defeating New Mexico State and Bethune-Cookman to start the 2021 season on the right foot.
Looking ahead – Key storylines
More marquee moments?
After one massive upset in Week 1 and a few close calls, only one Conference USA school takes on a Power 5 opponent in Week 2 — Middle Tennessee. Their opponent, Virginia Tech, upset North Carolina in Week 1 while MTSU beat Monmouth. Knocking off the Hokies will be no small feat.
Big Bucket
Rice missed a golden opportunity at an upset victory in Week 1, faltering down the stretch against Arkansas. Now 0-1 with a date against Texas looming in Week 3, the Owls’ Week 2 rivalry game against Houston becomes all the more important.
AAC Auditions
Rumors are swirling regarding the various levels of realignment that have started to surface in recent weeks, among them, which schools could make the jump to the Big 12 and consequently, which schools could move into spots vacated in the American Athletic Conference. Rice and North Texas draw AAC opponents in Week 2 and both would be interested in making a positive pitch on the field.
