The American Conference showed up for the 2026 season with no shortage of ready storylines. From a Power Four win to early alarm bells for one school just a week into this new season, it is time to go #AroundTheAmerican to talk about Week One.
Tulsa Beats Oklahoma State Again
Tulsa has consecutive wins against Oklahoma State for the first time since 1952. The Golden Hurricane beat the Cowboys, 24-10, by stifling an offense that received many of North Texas’ key pieces when former UNT Head Coach Eric Morris took the Oklahoma State job. Tulsa intercepted QB Drew Mestemaker twice and recovered two fumbles to take this second consecutive contest.
It’s still early, obviously, but Tulsa suddenly looks like a dark horse in the American Conference race after beating a Big 12 team so handily. At the very least, expect the Golden Hurricane to surprise some contenders later this season.
Week WON ✅#ReignCane pic.twitter.com/yVIsB0UroT
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) September 8, 2026
The American Struggles Against the Power Four
Other than Tulsa, there was not much to celebrate in the American’s other Power Four games. Every game aside from that one saw double-digit margins of defeat.
Defending conference champ Tulane’s offense stalled in a 17-3 loss to Duke. The Green Wave mustered just 258 yards of total offense, including all of 54 from their usually reliable run game. Meanwhile, Tulane allowed Duke RB Nate Sheppard to post more than 227 yards on the ground.
Many probably imagined Tulane would be more competitive against Duke. This week’s result might just herald a wide-open conference field this year.
North Texas also lost, in their case to Indiana, the defending national champions, 52-16. The Mean Green defense was not bad, allowing 334 yards. However, North Texas’ special teams unit gifted Indiana two drives inside the North Texas 30 thanks to long returns. Poor kick coverage like this could flip winnable games for the Mean Green if they can’t get it corrected down the stretch.
East Carolina did not fare much better against its ranked Power Four opponent, losing to #13 Alabama, 48-10. The Pirates ran for just two yards in the loss, a far cry from the balanced attack we’ve seen the last two years.
Similarly, Florida Atlantic lost to Florida, 66-21. The Owls’ defense never gave them a chance in a game many figured would be their coming-out party as a conference contender this year. Florida totaled 624 yards against FAU, including 281 on the ground. The Owls must figure out their run defense ASAP. They face Navy next week.
On offense, the Owls’ air-raid looked inefficient. FAU QB Caden Veltkamp threw for 276 yards, but it took him 52 attempts and 34 completions to get there. Despite the setback, FAU has no shortage of weapons. The Owls had two running backs run for over 50 yards. Four different players caught at least five passes.
Surprisingly, UAB may have had the best showing against a Power Four team aside from Tulsa. The Blazers pestered Illinois throughout their 42-23 loss. UAB actually outgained Illinois 413 to 332, but a late pick-six and a long punt return by the Illini to set up a short drive created a deceptively wide margin on the scoreboard.
Save for the aforementioned pick-six, UAB QB Ryder Burton looked poised in his 4th career start, passing for 219 yards. Moreover, UAB’s running game could give teams fits this year. The Blazers ran for 194 yards.
Back to work next week. pic.twitter.com/CWbHQwARr3
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) September 4, 2026
Charlotte Loses to The Citadel
After a 1-11 campaign in 2025, Charlotte fans figured it could not get much worse. Unfortunately, Saturday showed it could. The 49ers lost a triple-overtime heartbreaker to The Citadel, 43-41. To make matters worse, The Citadel lost to Southern Conference counterpart Wofford, 42-14, the previous week.
Charlotte QB Cole Gonzales showed command of the 49ers’ offense with 322 passing yards and five total touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions, derailing promising drives. The Citadel’s run game gradually wore down the Charlotte defense while putting up 268 yards rushing.
We’re only one game into Charlotte Head Coach Tim Albin’s tenure, but his seat is likely scorching hot. Charlotte fired his predecessor, Biff Poggi, after just two seasons. Albin is already on track for a worse record than Poggi (8-17) after two seasons and already has a bad-looking FCS loss under his belt.
Final. pic.twitter.com/6E4Yano6bd
— Charlotte Football (@CharlotteFTBL) September 6, 2026
The Best of the Rest
RBs Jaylin Carter and Manny Covey both exceeded 100 yards in a 42-24 Memphis win over Arkansas State. Carter was especially good, running for 183 yards and four touchdowns. With 280 yards after two games, Carter has made himself an early Doak Walker Award frontrunner.
USF escaped with a 19-9 home win over in-state rival FIU in the much-anticipated debut of new Head Coach Brian Hartline. The Bulls gained only 208 yards on offense. Of their four scoring drives, they started three inside the FIU 35 and the fourth at midfield. Just as importantly, FIU turned the ball over on downs twice in USF territory.
Bottom line, USF could have lost this game — easily. The Bulls have a mostly new roster, but their lack of offensive production against an average Conference USA team seems concerning.
Both Rice’s and Navy’s option offenses rolled in wins over FCS foes. Navy QB Braxton Woodson ran for 200 of Navy’s 506 yards in the Mids’ 42-15 win over Towson. Similarly, Rice transfer QB Jacurri Brown looked at home in the Owls’ 31-3 win over Houston Christian. Brown ran for 98 of Rice’s 465 yards, while the Owls completed just four passes for 28 yards.
It feels almost like the Ken Hatfield Era all over again in Houston.
UTSA used a balanced attack to defeat UTRGV, 45-16. UTSA QB Owen McCown was accurate, completing 22/27 passes for 275 yards and three scores. RBs Will Henderson III and A’Marion Henderson both ran for over 90 yards on fewer than 10 carries.
Finally, Temple dominated upset-minded Rhode Island, 38-14. RB Keveun Mason ran for 158 yards, while DBs Tyree Alualu and Jamarcus Pierre both returned interceptions for touchdowns.
Take a cinematic look back at our first win of the season! 🙌
— Temple Football (@Temple_FB) September 7, 2026
Presented by @grungolaw #TempleTUFF pic.twitter.com/klOqnsdHKM
What did you watch this past weekend, friends? Let’s talk about it.
Go Army! Beat USF!!!
