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American Conference Football 2025: Week 12 Roundup

November 15, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army5-4 (3-3)— OFF — —vs Tulsa
Charlotte1-9 (0-7)vs UTSAL, 28-7at Georgia
ECU7-3 (5-1)vs MemphisW, 31-27at UTSA
FAU4-6 (3-4)at TulaneL, 35-24vs UConn
Memphis8-3 (4-3)at ECUL, 31-27— OFF —
Navy8-2 (6-2)vs USFW, 41-38— OFF —
North Texas9-1 (5-1)at UABW, 53-24at Rice
Rice5-5 (2-4)— OFF — —vs North Texas
Temple5-5 (3-3)— OFF — —vs Tulane
Tulane8-2 (5-1)vs FAUW, 35-24at Temple
Tulsa3-7 (0-6)vs Oregon StW, 31-14at Army
UAB3-7 (1-5)vs North TexasL, 53-24vs USF
USF7-3 (4-2)at NavyL, 41-38at UAB
UTSA5-5 (3-3)at CharlotteW, 28-7vs ECU

Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll

Ahoy, Pirates!

East Carolina was flying under the radar after a 3-3 start with losses to a pair of power conference teams and Tulane on the road. Since then, the Pirates are 4-0 including this latest impressive win over Memphis. The Tigers can still reach 10 wins, but have effectively been eliminated from the conference championship game and the playoff. That’s a tough pill to swallow for Memphis.

Midshipmen Make it Happen

Memphis’ next opponent, Navy, posted a statement win this weekend. Following back-to-back losses against North Texas and Notre Dame on the road, the Middies returned to Annapolis and won a thriller over South Florida. The loss knocks the Bulls out of conference title contention with tiebreaker while the Midshipmen remain alive if they can get some help over the last two weeks.

North Texas, Tulane Hold Serve

While some of the other contenders stumbled, North Texas and Tulane posted rather mundane wins over teams in the bottom half of the conference standings. Neither game was particularly close or in doubt down the stretch, keeping both the Mean Green and the Green Wave in contention along with East Carolina with one loss in conference play.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

Beware, the Dome

East Carolina had best keep their eyes wide open as they travel to the Alamodome next weekend, a place where the Roadrunners seem to turn into the best version of themselves. If the Pirates play like they did this past weekend, they should be okay, but that’s the last place any contender wants to pay a visit to at the moment following UTSA’s drubbings of Rice and Tulane in their most recent home contests.

Post-bye Rice

As for Rice, they posted what’s looking to be one of the more impressive non-conference wins of the season following their first bye week, taking down UConn in double overtime. The Owls have had another two-week stretch to prepare, but they’ll still be heavy underdogs when they host North Texas on Senior Day.

Going North

Tulane also better be careful when they travel north to take on Temple. The Owls have their eyes set on bowl eligibility and gave a then-undefeated Navy squad a scare a few weeks back. Even the slightest potential for chilly weather wouldn’t help the southern squad in their hopes for a quick and easy road trip before their regular season finale at home against Charlotte.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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American Conference Football 2025: Week 11 Roundup

November 8, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army5-4 (3-3)vs TempleW, 14-13— OFF —
Charlotte1-8 (0-6)at ECUL, 48-22vs UTSA
ECU6-3 (4-1)vs CharlotteW, 48-22vs Memphis
FAU4-5 (3-3)vs TulsaW, 40-21at Tulane
Memphis8-2 (4-2)at Tulane (FRI)L, 38-32at ECU
Navy7-2 (5-2)at Notre DameL, 49-10vs USF
North Texas8-1 (4-1)— OFF — —at UAB
Rice5-5 (2-4)vs UABW, 24-17— OFF —
Temple5-5 (3-3)at ArmyL, 14-13— OFF —
Tulane7-2 (4-1)at Memphis (FRI)W, 38-32vs FAU
Tulsa2-7 (0-6)at FAUL, 40-21vs Oregon St
UAB3-6 (1-4)at RiceL, 24-17vs North Texas
USF7-2 (4-1)vs UTSA (THR)W, 55-23at Navy
UTSA4-5 (2-3)at USF (THR)L, 55-23at Charlotte

Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll

Roadrunners Routed

A largely disappointing season for UTSA continued this week when the Roadrunners resumed their hot and cold rotation with another dismal performance away from the Alamodome. USF showcased themselves as a true conference title contender while UTSA is suddenly in danger of missing out on a bowl game should they stumble more than once the rest of the way.

Memphis Knocked Out of Title Contention

With so many teams remaining with just one loss, Memphis might be on the outside looking in once again with a crushing loss to Tulane which was nearly as close as the final score indicated. The Green Wave lead 35-17 at half, claiming the win behind a huge day from quarterback Jake Retzlaff who threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns, also adding a score on the ground.

Owls in Postseason Contention?

It’s been a tough slog for first year head coach’s in the American outside of ECU’s Blake Harrell, who only somewhat counts since he was an interim promoted from the existing staff. The lone exceptions to the new coach woes? Rice football (Scott Abell) and Temple (K.C. Keeler). Rice won this weekend, getting to five wins while Temple dropped a close one to Army.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

East Carolina Has Their Shot

A few non-conference losses knocked them out of the spotlight, but East Carolina is very much still alive in the conference title race and could further cement themselves as usurpers should they beat Memphis next weekend. If the Pirates beat the Tigers, things could get interesting. They finish with winnable games against UTSA and Florida Atlantic.

Midshipmen and Bulls Meet in Possible Elimination Game

The only matchup of one-loss teams in the conference next weekend, the loser of this likely joins the ranks with Memphis of good teams that won’t have a chance to play for a championship. North Texas has the luxury of coming off a bye while Navy just endured a slugfest with Notre Dame.

Last Chance for Charlotte

If the 49ers are going to win a conference game this season, this is probably their last real opportunity. The 49ers host a hot-and-could UTSA squad before finishing their season at Georgia and at Tulane. A one win campaign is very much on the table, making even the faintest glimmers of hope that could be garnished from an upset over UTSA all that more enticing.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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American Conference Football 2025: Week 10 Roundup

November 1, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army4-4 (2-3)at Air ForceW, 20-17vs Temple
Charlotte1-7 (0-5)— OFF — —at ECU
ECU5-3 (3-1)at TempleW, 45-14vs Charlotte
FAU3-5 (2-3)— OFF — —vs Tulsa
Memphis8-1 (4-1)at Rice (FRI)W, 38-14Tulane (FRI)
Navy7-1 (5-1)at North TexasL, 31-17at Notre Dame
North Texas8-1 (4-1)vs NavyW, 31-17— OFF —
Rice4-5 (1-4)vs Memphis (FRI)L, 38-14vs UAB
Temple5-4 (3-2)vs ECUL, 45-15at Army
Tulane6-2 (3-1)at UTSA (THR)L, 48-26at Memphis (FRI)
Tulsa2-6 (0-5)— OFF — —at FAU
UAB3-5 (1-3)at UConnL, 38-19at Rice
USF6-2 (3-1)— OFF — —vs UTSA (THR)
UTSA4-4 (2-2)vs Tulane (THR)W, 48-26at USF (THR)

Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll

The Home Tree Strike Again

This offseason UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor made an Avatar reference when he equated the connection between his Roadrunners and the Alamodome to the relationship between the alien natives to their home tree in the film. Something mystical appears to be happening in San Antonio, though. The heavy underdogs whipped American conference title contender Tulane to improve to 3-1 at home this season.

Mean Green Mash Midshipmen

It doesn’t matter where they play, North Texas is mauling almost everyone these days. The Mean Green comfortably put away the previously unbeaten Navy Midshipmen to put themselves in position to make their first American Conference Championship Game appearance. In this one, UNT running back Caleb Hawkins rushed for 197 yards and four touchdowns.

Don’t Sleep on the Pirates

East Carolina was handed a one-score loss by Tulane, but has taken care of business against every other G5 team on their schedule and remains alive in the conference title race after thumping Temple on Saturday. Tied at 15 apiece, East Carolina rattled off 31 unanswered points and had the game in hand midway through the third quarter.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

A Possible Title Game Elimination Game?

East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, Tulane and South Florida enter Week 11 with just one conference loss. Two of them, Tulane and Memphis, face each other. Given how tight the race is, a second conference loss might spell the end of a any of these school’s championship hopes and knock them out of College Football Playoff contention as well.

Birds Leaving the Nest

UTSA has been a different team away from San Antonio this season, but they just proved they can hang with the upper tier of this conference when they’re at their best. South Florida remains within striking distance of the conference title game and needs to avoid a scare against the suddenly feisty Roadrunners.

Keeping Hopes Alive

On the other end of the standings, both Rice and UAB are battling for an outside shot at bowl eligibility. The winner of Saturday’s contest gets a step closer to threading that needle. The Owls would be just one win away with two games remaining. Any form of postseason appearance would be impressive for head coach Scott Abell in his first season on campus.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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American Conference Football 2025: Week 9 Roundup

October 25, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army3-4 (2-3)— OFF — —at Air Force
Charlotte1-7 (0-5)vs North Texas (FRI)L, 54-20— OFF —
ECU4-3 (2-1)— OFF — —at Temple
FAU3-5 (2-3)at NavyL, 42-32— OFF —
Memphis7-1 (3-1)vs USFW, 34-31at Rice (FRI)
Navy7-0 (5-0)vs FAUW, 42-32at North Texas
North Texas7-1 (3-1)at Charlotte (FRI)W, 54-20vs Navy
Rice4-4 (1-3)vs UConnW, 37-34 (2OT)vs Memphis (FRI)
Temple5-3 (3-1)at TulsaW, 38-37 (OT)vs ECU
Tulane6-1 (3-0)— OFF — —at UTSA (THR)
Tulsa2-6 (0-5)vs TempleL, 38-37 (OT)— OFF —
UAB3-4 (1-3)— OFF — —at UConn
USF6-2 (3-1)at MemphisL, 34-31— OFF —
UTSA3-4 (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.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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American Conference Football 2025: Week 8 Roundup

October 18, 2025 By Matthew Bartlett

American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron this week.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Army3-4 (2-3)at TulaneL, 24-17— OFF —
Charlotte1-6 (0-4)vs TempleL, 49-14vs North Texas (FRI)
ECU4-3 (2-1)vs TulsaW, 41-27— OFF —
FAU3-4 (2-2)at USFL, 48-13at Navy
Memphis6-1 (2-1)at UABL, 31-24vs USF
Navy6-0 (4-0)— OFF — —vs FAU
North Texas6-1 (2-1)vs UTSAW, 55-17at Charlotte (FRI)
Rice3-4 (1-3)— OFF — —vs UConn
Temple4-3 (2-1)at CharlotteW, 49-14at Tulsa
Tulane6-1 (3-0)vs ArmyW, 24-17— OFF —
Tulsa2-5 (0-4)at ECUL, 41-27vs Temple
UAB3-4 (1-3)vs MemphisW, 31-24— OFF —
USF6-1 (3-0)vs FAUW, 48-13at Memphis
UTSA3-4 (1-2)at North TexasL, 55-17— OFF —

Storylines // Standings // Preseason Poll

Memphis’ Winning Streak is No More

Memphis entered Saturday tied with Ohio State with the nation’s longest winning streak. The Buckeyes now hold that distinction alone as Tigers fell as three touchdown favorites on the road against a UAB team under an interim head coach. In a conference title race expected to go down to the wire, it’s the kind of loss that could prove costly down the road. If nothing else, Memphis’ margin for error just got significantly more narrow.

Tulane gets Revenge

The conference title rematch was a much more competitive contest this time around. Army successfully held the ball and milked the clock, forcing Tulane to be effective every time they touched the ball; they came close. Tulane punted just one time before quarterback Jake Retzlaff hit receiver Shazz Preston for the go-ahead touchdown with 27 seconds on the clock.

North Texas Gets Right

A week removed from suffering their first loss of the season, the Mean Green made it abundantly clear they wouldn’t be adding to that ledger again any time soon. Despite a close game at half, North Texas would go on to outscore UTSA 31-3 in the second half including a forth quarter shutout to secure an important home win.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

A GameDay-less Big Game

So much for College Gameday. Conference commissioner Tim Pernetti talked this week about the possibility of the American pitting two ranked teams against each other next weekend, but Memphis loss to UAB will assuredly skuttles that dream. GameDay or not, though, this is a massive game for the conference title race and potential College Football Playoff bids.

Well Rested Rice

Rice football got off to a strong 3-1 start to the season before injuries and a tough schedule began to take their tole on the team, which got a much needed bye this past weekend. The road doesn’t get easier against a 5-2 UConn squad, but the Owls hope they’ll be in a better place after the off week and more capable of playing their best brand of football.

Can Temple Take Care of Business?

Winning on the road is never a sure thing, especially under a new head coach, but Temple can get within one win of bowl eligibility with a road win over Tulsa this coming Saturday in a game they’ll more than likely be favored to win. The schedule gets tougher after this with games against ECU, Army, Tulane and North Texas to close out the year.

Subscribe on Patreon for exclusive Rice football recruiting updates, practice notes and more.

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Filed Under: AAC, Archive Tagged With: AAC

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