One of the most chaotic weeks in college football history carried over into the American Conference. The league saw a rare two-score overtime win, a College Football Playoff frontrunner go down, and the league’s worst team finally got their first victory. To have all of these storylines jam-packed into one week is astonishing. Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican.
UAB Rallies to Beat East Carolina on Thursday Night
UAB got its first win against East Carolina since 2006, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Pirates in a wild 30-17 win. The Blazers somehow managed to score 21 unanswered points after falling behind 17-9 with 97 seconds left in regulation.
Ryder Burton finally had a prolific passing game, throwing for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, he drove UAB 93 yards in 62 seconds and ran the game-tying two-point conversion himself to send the game into overtime. Burton carried that red-hot hand into overtime, throwing the go-ahead touchdown to Rod Robinson II on UAB’s ensuing possession.
The Blazers sealed the game with an 80-yard pick-six by CB Delvon Gulley to give UAB a rare 13-point overtime win. The win was just the fourth 13-point overtime win in FBS history.
With a 4-3 record, UAB looks on track to make its first bowl game since 2022. The Blazers have winnable games with Charlotte and Temple remaining. East Carolina likely needed this game for bowl eligibility. The Pirates also have games with Charlotte and Temple, but will have to find their sixth win against FAU, Memphis, USF, or Army.
UAB has become the poster child for the American’s amazing parity this year. Many wrote the Blazers off as nothing more than a laughingstock before the year, but wins over Navy and East Carolina show the conference may be one of the deepest in the Group of Six, if not all of FBS.
NO ESCAPE 👎🚫 https://t.co/WWSbwzGhMg
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) October 17, 2026
Memphis Shoots Itself In the Foot Against Tulane
Speaking of parity, Tulane surprised the country with a 31-17 win over Memphis in a Friday night showcase. However, it was Memphis that beat themselves, as much as the Green Wave. Despite outgaining Tulane 488 yards to 325, Memphis committed six turnovers.
QB Marcus Stokes threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles. Stokes’ costliest interception came just before the end of the first half. With Memphis down 16-10 and looking to tack on a field goal before halftime, Tulane CB TJ Smith intercepted an out route and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown to give Tulane a 23-10 lead to end the second quarter. Memphis inched within six points with 3:34 left in the fourth quarter, but Tulane’s Johnnie Daniels emphatically sealed the game with a 48-yard touchdown with 1:34 left.
This win puts Tulane back into the conference championship conversation. The Green Wave host UTSA next week in a game that could give them a tiebreaker against two of the conference’s top teams.
On the other hand, Memphis’s College Football hopes look significantly diminished. The Tigers already lost to PAC-12 frontrunner Boise State. A second loss now puts them behind a potential one-loss Mountain West champion or even a Liberty team that finishes with 12 wins and a Conference USA title. Memphis Head Coach Charles Huff is in his first year, but Memphis fans could already begin grumbling if their seven-year New Year’s Six/College Football Playoff drought continues.
A 76 yard pick-6 to end the half from TJ Smith is your Call of the Game! #UptownFootball https://t.co/XiV0De3D5x
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) October 19, 2026
Charlotte Wins its First Game
Tulane’s win over Memphis was not the most surprising result of the week. 0-6 Charlotte traveled to Philadelphia and beat Temple, 38-31, for its first win of the season. QB Conner Harrell played the mistake-free football that Charlotte desperately needed. Harrell threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception.
The 49ers’ running game also came to life. Charlotte finished with 168 yards on the ground. RB Henry Rutledge put up 123 yards on 17 carries. He is quietly having a solid year in the Queen City, running for 331 yards on an efficient 6.4 yards per carry.
Temple is now one of the league’s biggest disappointments after falling to 2-5. After earning a win over USF, along with strong showings against Penn State and Army, many figured the Owls would be destined for a bowl game. Now, though, Temple seems likely to extend their bowl drought to seven seasons.
Warmed the place up for ya @Panthers 🤝 https://t.co/mgLacOECxQ
— Charlotte Football (@CharlotteFTBL) October 17, 2026
UTSA Outlasts Navy in a Shootout
UTSA QB Owen McCown found himself in an unexpected quarterback duel with Navy’s Jackson Gutierrez in UTSA’s 38-34 win over the Midshipmen. McCown threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns as the Roadrunners overcame an early 14-0 deficit. McCown’s last touchdown, a 41-yard toss to A’Marion Peterson, put UTSA on top for good with 2:24 left.
Navy kept up with the Roadrunners thanks to an explosive passing game. The Midshipmen completed four passes for 183 yards. One of those went for a 92-yard touchdown to TE Jordan Collins, marking a new school record. Gutierrez somehow did even more for Navy than last week, rushing for 139 yards, passing for 120, and even catching a 63-yard pass from fellow QB Braxton Woodson.
The win made UTSA the only American Conference team undefeated in league play. After a massive clash with Tulane, the Roadrunners have a favorable schedule ahead and a solid chance at entering the American Conference Championship undefeated in conference play. Meanwhile, Navy finds its bowl hopes in panic mode. The Midshipmen now need to win four of their next five games against Notre Dame, Temple, North Texas, Memphis, and Charlotte.
UTSA remained undefeated in American Conference with a 38-34 victory over Navy on Saturday night. #210TriangleOfToughness | #BirdsUp 🤙 https://t.co/GWUUkGKUQc
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) October 18, 2026
Other Notes From Around the American
The USF defense shut down Kent State, holding the Golden Flashes to 228 yards in a 29-2 win. By itself, USF’s defense outscored Kent State, with C.J. Hicks returning a fumbled quarterback sneak 96-yards for a touchdown. Despite the defense’s excellence, USF’s offensive output remains concerning. The Bulls gained just 217 yards and allowed four sacks, bringing their count to 10 sacks surrendered against MAC schools. USF must improve its offense to reestablish itself in the conference race.
Tulsa QB Baylor Hayes threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Rice. Despite the wide margin of victory, the Golden Hurricane struggled to defend the Owls’ gun option. Rice ran for 289 yards, including an electric 11-carry, 154-yard outing from QB Jacurri Brown. However, Brown’s passing couldn’t add much to the Owls’ attack. He completed two of his six passes for just 47 yards. Quarterback of the future Gael Ochoa replaced Brown for the second straight week late in this one.
QB1 earning himself some @American_Conf honors! #ReignCane https://t.co/oscUPb6O2M
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) October 19, 2026
Army fans will, of course, see Tulsa this Friday night.
Go Army! Beat Tulsa!!!
