The American Conference is back after a long offseason. A win over a Power Four team and another over a 2024 College Football Playoff representative got the conference off to a roaring start.
USF Stuns Boise State
Most of the country expected Boise State to figure out life without Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. However, the USF Bulls did not get that memo. Instead, USF shocked Boise State on Thursday night with a 34-7 win. Three turnovers, all in USF territory, were too much for the Broncos to overcome. USF QB Byrum Brown made an early case as a Heisman dark horse with 210 passing yards, 43 rushing yards, and a pair of scores on the ground. Most notably, USF scored on a 45-yard “fake punt” that lined backup QB Locklan Hewlett at punter to make it a 10-point game in the third quarter.
The win was crucial from a College Football Playoff perspective but also for the American’s national perception. We’ve heard much offseason talk of the rebuilt PAC-12 becoming the pre-eminent non-Power league. USF’s emphatic win over the perceived best team in that new league quieted those conversations for now.
USF now seems like an early College Football Playoff contender. They have the schedule to build a resume. The Bulls travel to Florida and Miami in the next two weeks. A win in either game not only aids USF’s Playoff cause but could also get Brown further cemented in the Heisman race.
Played for each other.
— USF Football (@USFFootball) August 31, 2025
🎥 Cinematic Recap: South Florida vs Boise State#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/PomWG6IW8i
Tulane Defends New Orleans’ Honor Against Northwestern
You don’t tug on Superman’s cape. You don’t spit into the wind. You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger, and you don’t mess around with the city of New Orleans. Northwestern denied Tulane’s request to wear white jerseys to honor the 20th anniversary of their Hurricane Katrina team, and the Green Wave responded in kind. Head Coach Jon Sumrall essentially said the Wildcats got what they deserved after messing with his team’s home city.
Tulane dominated Northwestern, 23-3, intercepting four Preston Stone passes. BYU transfer QB Jake Retzlaff was electrifying in his debut, passing for 152 yards and rushing for 113 on just ten carries. The highlight of the day came on a 69-yard touchdown run that gave the Green Wave a 20-3 halftime lead.
With Boise State losing horribly to South Florida, the Green Wave have a clear path to the Playoff. A blowout Power Four win helps their candidacy immensely.
That is Game!!! #RollWave 🌊 pic.twitter.com/HJo75B3GKY
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) August 30, 2025
Valiant Efforts Against the Power Four
East Carolina and UTSA came up short in their quests to upset Power Four teams. East Carolina fell behind 17-0 against their 2024 Military Bowl opponent NC State, but the Pirates fought back to have a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation. Down 24-17 with less than a minute left, the Pirates could not convert a 4th-and-one from the NC State nine. QB Katin Houser looked proficient in the loss with 366 passing yards. East Carolina still figures to be an American Conference contender.
UTSA stayed mostly competitive with Texas A&M, trailing just 21-17 in the third quarter. Alas, the Aggies scored 21 unanswered and pulled away to earn a 42-24 win. UTSA RB Robert Henry’s efficient 16-carry, 177 yard performance kept UTSA competitive. An offense with a steady run game and a more experienced QB Owen McCown figures to be dangerous this year.
FAU was much less competitive against Maryland in their 39-7 loss. The Terrapins grounded FAU’s Air Raid with six interceptions. Still, WR Easton Messer caught a mind-boggling 15 passes in the loss and figures to bexome one of the American’s best receivers.
Absolute Workhorse. #210TriangleOfToughness | #210wned pic.twitter.com/BuSvhp5nHA
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 1, 2025
Owls Fly High
Temple and Rice each began the season on a high note. Temple QB Evan Simon threw six touchdown passes in a 42-10 win over UMass, and even more amazingly, the Temple offensive line did not give up a single sack after allowing three per game last season. Temple’s running game also looked rejuvenated, more than doubling their per game output from last year in a 191-yard performance. Transfer RB Jay Ducker led the way with 128 yards. Many pundits, including this one, wrote Temple off as being a year away from revival. Although it is still early, the dominant win over UMass could show that Temple is already more than the league’s doormat.
Many fans met Rice’s switch to the option with curiosity, but the defense stole headlines in an upset 14-12 win over 2024 Sun Belt runner-up Louisiana. Rice held the Ragin Cajuns to just 88 passing yards and 239 yards of total offense. On offense, the option showed room to grow. However, RB Quinton Jackson carried the load with 119 rushing yards, while RB Daelen Alexander added another 74. As any good option offense would, the Owls amassed just 45 passing yards. They have the defense and running game to keep things interesting against crosstown rival Houston this week.
Dominant 💪@evan6simon has been named @American_Conf Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 1 performance.#TempleTUFF pic.twitter.com/C73r7FKCLh
— Temple Football (@Temple_FB) September 1, 2025
Other Notes From America’s Conference
UAB survived a shootout in a 52-42 win over Alabama State. The Blazers allowed 514 yards, struggling to contain dynamic QB Andrew Body. UAB must figure out these woes quickly before facing QB Blake Horvath and Navy this weekend.
Charlotte allowed 586 total yards, including 368 passing yards from AJ Swann in a 34-11 loss in the Duke’s Mayo Classic against App State. Charlotte was only down 7-3 at halftime, but withered in the second half.
Backup QB Braxton Woodson stole the show with 180 yards on seven carries as Navy advanced its all-time record against VMI to 11-0 with a 52-7 win.
Well-traveled transfer QB Brendon Lewis threw for 199 and ran for 81 in Memphis’ 45-10 blowout of Chattanooga.
North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense allowed 119 yards in a 51-0 win over Lamar.
Tulsa struggled early, only mustering a 10-0 halftime lead over Abilene Christian, but pulled away late for a 35-7 win. Dominic Richardson ran for 142 yards and a score for the Golden Hurricane.
Three Headed Dragon 🐲
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) August 30, 2025
RBs Jevon Jackson, Isaiah Jacobs and Solomon Beebe combined for 259 rushing yards and five touchdowns vs. Alabama State!#WinAsOne pic.twitter.com/SVcyxJd2lC
All told, the conference as a whole looks to be in good shape after Week One.
Go Army! Beat K-State!!!
