We didn’t think the American could get much more thrilling, but the league exceeded expectations this week. The conference somehow showed even more parity. While we’ve definitely seen two favorites emerge so far this season, this past weekend proved beyond any doubt that “Any Given Saturday” applies to America’s conference.
Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican.
UTSA Rallies to Beat USF
Once again, the American kicked off the weekend with a Thursday night thriller. UTSA RB A’Marion Peterson ran for 92 yards and three touchdowns, the last of which won the game. Peterson scored from one yard out with 15 seconds left to give UTSA a 31-24 win over South Florida. With the win, UTSA showed they may have the best offense in the conference. The Roadrunners scored a season-high 31 points and gained 486 yards against USF’s vaunted defense.
For better or worse, USF’s offense could not pick up the slack for the defense. The Bulls gained just 288 yards on the night. Their usually bruising run game totaled all of 111 yards on 3.6 yards per attempt. USF QB Michael Van Buren was solid, throwing for 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but that was not enough to ensure the Bulls put the Roadrunners away late in the game.
The loss gives USF a nearly impossible path to making its first American Conference Championship. The Bulls now have two conference losses and would have to become just the second team ever to make the championship game with two or more conference losses. Meanwhile, UTSA now looks like a favorite to make the title game. The 5-1 Roadrunners’ toughest tests remaining appear to be North Texas and FAU. Both look like winnable games. This Roadrunner offense can keep pace with both of those high-octane units.
We couldn’t do it without you 🎉 Let’s run it back this Saturday vs. Navy 😤 🎟️https://t.co/spLek2lE9T #210TriangleOfToughness | #LetsGo210 https://t.co/dLq7vQWE7E
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) October 10, 2026
Gutierrez Carries Navy to Victory
The Navy Midshipmen were dead to rights after losses to UAB and Air Force in their last two games. Most expected Tulsa to send the Midshipmen deeper into their slump when they came to Annapolis Saturday. However, Navy QB Jackson Gutierrez and company had other plans.
Gutierrez carried the ball 41 times for 232 yards and three touchdowns in Navy’s 34-26 upset over the Golden Hurricane. Shockingly, Navy simply looked like the better team. The Midshipmen could’ve won this game by multiple scores if not for two red zone fumbles. In all, the Midshipmen ran for 386 yards. Gutierrez’s 41 carries were the most for a Midshipman since Ricky Dobbs ran the ball 42 times against SMU in 2008.
Tulsa has now lost three straight games. QB Baylor Hayes’ injury could be one of the more haunting what-ifs for Golden Hurricane fans. The team looked like an early College Football Playoff candidate after three games before Hayes’ injury. Now, it looks like they will barely get to bowl eligibility. On the other side, Navy’s bowl hopes have some life after many wondered if they had another win on their schedule outside of Charlotte. This week’s contest could potentially rewrite the narrative of the Midshipmen’s season.
Guti had a day #GoNavy | #RollGoats https://t.co/mWuxm4XhWX
— Navy Football (@NavyFB) October 11, 2026
Memphis Survives Another UAB Scare
After entering halftime trailing UAB 13–10, many Memphis fans wondered if they were set for another case of déjà vu all over again. Fortunately, the Tigers reassured their fans with a 28-0 run to end the game with a 38-13 win.
The Tigers’ run game paced the Tigers with RB Jaylin Carter going for 132 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. QB Marcus Stokes threw for two touchdowns, but just 164 yards.
UAB’s run game looked steady, totaling 179 yards. However, the Blazers could not keep up once they fell behind. QB Ryder Burton completed just 10 of his 20 passes for 131 yards on the night.
The conference appears to have figured out the upstart Blazers, forcing them to depend on their mediocre passing game. After throwing for 219 yards against Illinois in the season opener, Burton is now averaging just 140 yards per game in UAB’s last five contests. The passing game must be more consistent if UAB wants to reach its first bowl since 2022. Meanwhile, Memphis once again proved they’re a bona fide College Football Playoff contender. The Tigers should be next in line to receive the Group of Six spot if Boise State somehow fails to win the PAC-12.
Cash it in #GoTigersGo | #CloseTheGap https://t.co/gsWuEUpDeM
— Memphis Football (@MemphisFB) October 11, 2026
Other Notes From Around the American
QB Tayven Jackson had another remarkable game for North Texas, throwing for 349 yards and five touchdowns in the Mean Green’s 50-10 win over Charlotte. The UNT defense was impressive too, holding the 49ers to 56 rushing yards. Charlotte QB Conner Harrell finally got his chance to start over incumbent Cole Gonzales. Harrell performed well at times, throwing for 215 yards, but he also had two crucial interceptions.
East Carolina rode a powerful run game and disciplined defense to a 28-12 win over Rice. ECU RB TJ Engleman Jr. ran for 136 yards, just 28 yards fewer than Rice’s entire rushing output. Rice RB Tyvonn Byars had 111 yards, but the Pirates shut down the Owls by focusing on their point man, QB JaCurri Brown. Brown had just 19 yards on 19 carries and completed just two of his ten passing attempts. Head Coach Scott Abell pulled Brown for backup Gael Ochoa late in the game.
Brown is a gifted runner, but he’s struggled passing the ball this year, completing fewer than half his passes. If Rice falls out of bowl contention, Abel could give reps to his quarterback of the future, Ochoa.
Join us for CFB Roundtable tonight at 7:00 pm.
East Carolina has had hardly any buzz surrounding them, but the Pirates look strong with a 3-2 record, 1-0 in conference play. They have faced a difficult slate, but their defense could play spoiler during league play. The Pirates have allowed just 17 points per game since their opener against Alabama.
Temple suffered a hangover from the USF game, losing 34-20 to UConn. Owl QB Ajani Sheppard threw for a career-high 260 yards, but the Huskies held the Owls’ previously consistent running game to just 148 yards. Two fumbles in Husky territory made the difference. Despite the loss, Temple is — incredibly — still very much alive for a spot in the American Conference Championship Game.
What did you watch this weekend, friends?
