American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.
| Team | Record | This Week | Result | Up Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 3-4 (2-3) | — OFF — | — | at Air Force |
| Charlotte | 1-7 (0-5) | vs North Texas (FRI) | L, 54-20 | — OFF — |
| ECU | 4-3 (2-1) | — OFF — | — | at Temple |
| FAU | 3-5 (2-3) | at Navy | L, 42-32 | — OFF — |
| Memphis | 7-1 (3-1) | vs USF | W, 34-31 | at Rice (FRI) |
| Navy | 7-0 (5-0) | vs FAU | W, 42-32 | at North Texas |
| North Texas | 7-1 (3-1) | at Charlotte (FRI) | W, 54-20 | vs Navy |
| Rice | 4-4 (1-3) | vs UConn | W, 37-34 (2OT) | vs Memphis (FRI) |
| Temple | 5-3 (3-1) | at Tulsa | W, 38-37 (OT) | vs ECU |
| Tulane | 6-1 (3-0) | — OFF — | — | at UTSA (THR) |
| Tulsa | 2-6 (0-5) | vs Temple | L, 38-37 (OT) | — OFF — |
| UAB | 3-4 (1-3) | — OFF — | — | at UConn |
| USF | 6-2 (3-1) | at Memphis | L, 34-31 | — OFF — |
| UTSA | 3-4 (1-2) | — OFF — | — | vs Tulane (THR) |
Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll
Memphis Bounces Back
The Tigers were humbled last weekend with a loss to a Trent Dilfer-less UAB squad. Rather than sulk, they went toe-to-toe with South Florida at the Liberty Bowl. Memphis fell behind 31-17 on the final play of the fourth quarter before shutting out USF in the final frame, scoring the final 17 points to take down the Bulls and earn a potentially important tie-breaker for the conference championship game race.
Well Rested Rice
Beat up and worn down entering their bye week, the Owls looked well-rested and spunky at home against UConn on Saturday. Rice fell behind early but rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter before running back Quinton Jackson walked it off in double overtime, part of a four-touchdown 248 all-purpose yard performance.
Temple Tough
Two games ago, Temple took Navy down to the wire only to watch the Midshipmen convert a game-winning two-point attempt at the buzzer. A similar situation transpired this week against Tulsa, but this time the Owls stonewalled the Golden Hurricane, and held on to win. Now 5-3, Temple is one win away from bowl eligibility in head coach KC Keeler’s first season.
Mestemaker Makes History
In what was largely an uneventful Friday night blowout of a terrible Charlotte team, North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker set a program and conference record with 608 passing yards. He edges out Dillon Gabriel who threw for 601 yards against Memphis in 2020.
Looking ahead – Key storylines
Tussle on Top
First place is on the line when Navy heads to North Texas next Saturday. The Midshipmen are one of two unbeatens still standing in the American and can stay No. 1 in the standings with a win. A loss would potentially set up a messy multi-team tie with as many as four or five teams in the mix with just one conference loss.
Pirates and Owls Hanging Around
Speaking of teams still in the mix, East Carolina and Temple each have just one conference loss and have played well against some of the league’s better competition. Now they face off against each other in a game that could have bowl implications and, if things get crazy, dark horse conference championship ramifications.
Roadrunners at Home
UTSA has played significantly better in the Alamodome this season than they have on the road and they’ll need to be playing at their best when they host a South Florida squad on Thursday night which just took their first conference loss and can’t afford another. The Bulls will be looking to make a statement while the Roadrunner will be looking to keep their season afloat.
