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American Conference Football 2023: Week 2 Roundup

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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.

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.

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American Conference Football 2023: Week 1 Roundup

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American Conference Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 1.

Team Week 1 Result Record Up Next
Charlotte vs South Carolina St W, 24-3 1-0 vs Maryland
ECU at Michigan L, 30-3 0-1 vs Marshall
FAU vs Monmouth W, 42-20 1-0 vs Ohio
Memphis vs Bethune Cookman W, 56-14 1-0 at Arkansas St
Navy — OFF — — 0-1 vs Wagner
North Texas vs California L, 58-10 0-1 at FIU
Rice at Texas L, 37-10 0-1 vs Houston
SMU vs LA Tech W, 38-14 1-0 at Oklahoma
Temple vs Akron W, 24-21 1-0 at Rutgers
Tulane vs South Alabama W, 34-17 1-0 vs Ole Miss
Tulsa vs UAPB W, 42-7 1-0 at Washington
UAB vs NC A&T W, 35-6 1-0 at Georgia So
USF at WKU L, 41-24 0-1 vs FAMU
UTSA at Houston L, 17-10 0-1 vs TXST

Notable Results (Standings)

Have a day, Mr. Pratt

It doesn’t get much better than this: Michael Pratt’s stat line from Tulane’s season-opening win over South Alabama. Pratt completed 14-of-15 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Green Waves past the Jaguars in commanding fashion and establishing themselves as one of the teams to beat in all of the Group of 5.

Houston holds serve

UTSA and Houston played a barnburner last fall, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch this season. There were a lot less points, but the game still went down to the wire, with Houston prevailing once again. Frank Harris was intercepted three times, spoiling what might have been a marquee victory for the Roadrunners to open the season.

Golesh debut spoiled

USF was the only AAC program that fell to a non-Power 5 program in Week 1. In their first game under new head coach Alex Golesh, the Bulls ran into the buzzsaw that is the Western Kentucky offense. The Hilltoppers piled up points in bunches, taking swift command and holding serve to the finish.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

P5 Hunting

Six AAC teams will take on Power 5 opponents next weekend: Tulane hosts Ole Miss, Rice hosts Houston, SMU visits Oklahoma, Temple visits Rutgers, Charlotte visits Maryland and Tulsa visits Washington. Of that quartet, SMU and Tulane put forth the most impressive performances in Week 1. Could they notch the first P5 win for the conference this season?

This just got interesting

Texas State stormed onto the national radar with an upset win over Baylor. Now UTSA’s home game against Texas State in Week 2 takes on additional importance. Could one of the AAC’s presumed frontrunners be in danger of falling to 0-2? The Roadrunners will be favorites, but the Bobcats might not be pushovers after all.

Buckets!

Rice didn’t win in their season opener against Texas, but they did cover the spread and the defense showed some life. They played Houston to the final possession a year ago and would love to avoid falling to 0-2 to start the season. The Bayou Bucket could be a fun one in Week 2.

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The Roost Podcast | Ep 152 – ’23 UTSA Preview with Jared Kalmus

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The Roost Podcast continues its AAC previews. Up next: Jared Kalmus of the Alamo Audible previews UTSA football in 2023.

Even though they’ve moved to a new conference, Rice football once again squares off with UTSA this season. Two of the AAC’s Texan teams compare notes, delving into expectations for the Roadrunners in 2023 and beyond. Host of Alamo Audible and longtime friend of the podcast Jared Kalmus joins us to talk all things UTSA.

You can find previous episodes on the podcast page. For now, give a listen to Episode 152.

Episode Notes

DCTF

The Roost Podcast is now part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You’ll still get the same content with the same hosts, but now under the DCTF banner.

Homefield

We’re thrilled to partner with Homefield Apparel, the premier proprietor of college football clothing. First-time buyers can use the code ROOST for 15% off their order. The Owls hoodie is a personal favorite. Shop the Rice collection or pick up something else (or both)!

Patreon

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Previewing 2023 UTSA football with Jared Kalmus

  • The rise of Frank Harris
  • AAC Media Day notes and observations
  • A quick survey around AAC
  • Expectations and obstacles for UTSA this season
  • The Oscar Cardenas Memorial Trophy
  • The Lightning Round

Where can you find us?

The Roost Podcast is part of the Dave Campbell’s Republic of Football Podcast Network. You can find this podcast and all of our partner podcasts on Apple, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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

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Rice Football readies for new conference, new challenges at AAC Media Days

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Rice football attended its first-ever American Athletic Conference Media Day this week, marking the unofficial beginning of a much-anticipated 2023 season.

Myron Morrison couldn’t hold back a smile. One of four representatives selected by the Rice football coaching staff to attend media days for the American Athletic Conference, Morrison glanced down at the newly embroidered “A” on the chest of his blue and gray jersey and tried to take it all in.

Morrison and the Owls unofficially kicked off their inaugural season as members of the AAC this week during the conference media days, a gathering of 14 programs in Arlington, Texas, some new to the Owls and others very familiar.

“It’s still what happens between those lines, it’s still the same [game],” Morrison said. “But it’s always nice to have a fresh change of scenery.”

The new scenery includes a slue of new logos and new faces with some familiar foes mixed in for good measure. Like, Rice everyone is adjusting to their new environment, but the messaging was consistent from top to bottom. The Owls, like everyone else, are here to compete and AAC commissioner Mike Aresco was quick to point out the lengthy history of successes that have come out of this conference in recent seasons.

Along with Morrison, head coach Mike Bloomgren, quarterback JT Daniels and edge rusher Joshua Pearcy took their turns in front of the microphones and cameras. Much of the traditional preseason topics were discussed, ranging from offseason routines to anticipation for the upcoming campaign. Through it all though, an underlying current of anticipation was palpable.

Bloomgren said as much during his scheduled time at the podium.

“I’m excited to be bringing this team into the American Athletic Conference,” he said. “I have all the respect in the world for the great players and coaches in this league.”

McCaffrey echoed as much in his remarks soon afterward. “I think this is so special for us,” he said. “It’s a great step in the right direction for Rice Athletics altogether.”

There’s a lot at stake for Rice in 2023. They have expectations of another bowl berth and reiterated their expressed goal of contending for a conference championship. Following years of building, both the program and its fans would love nothing more than for those dreams to come to fruition. Now all that’s left is to play the games.

Hear more from each of the players, Bloomgren and coaches and players from around the league on our AAC Media Days Live Show with JP Heath.

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AAC Football Media Days: Mike Aresco pushes Power

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AAC Football is alive and well. That was the message from Commissioner Mike Aresco at media days who made his case for his new-look league.

Commissioner Mike Aresco has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinion. On Tuesday morning he kicked off AAC Football media days with his familiar candor, petitioning the gathered media and all who would listen to regard his new-look conference with respect.

“I want to remind everyone that follows college football what this conference has accomplished,” Aresco said. “It’s sometimes hard to understand how some in the media continue to call us non-Power. Some have even called us mid-major. Nothing could be farther from the truth.”

He went on to cite a lengthy list of wins AAC programs have had over Power 5 schools in recent years, and mentioned four ESPN College Game Days hosted by member institutions. He listed the accolades and national awards AAC players have claimed under his watch.

“Mid-major conferences simply don’t do that. And to call such powerful performances non-Power is utterly silly.”

Aresco did what he does best, advocate for the programs under his umbrella and while some of his assertations may have been a bit optimistic, much of what he did offer up was rooted in truth. For as long as this league has existed, it’s made an impact on the national stage. And for the six programs joining the conference in 2023, that’s what matters the most.

“We’re a battle-hardened, resolute group. We refuse to embrace the stereotype that our achievements have clearly put a lie to,” Aresco admonished.

No matter who you designate the AAC — power or non-power, P5 or G5, or something else entirely — this is a conference that has made an impact on the national stage time and time again.

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