The American Conference showed its depth in several ways in Week5. Underdogs pushed the league’s best in three of Saturday’s four games. Another reached a milestone it hadn’t hit since the Eisenhower Administration. Overall, the American may have exceeded expectations in its limited slate this past weekend.
North Texas is 5-0 For the First Time Since 1959
The Mean Green overcame early struggles to beat former Sun Belt conference-mate South Alabama, 36-22, at home. Freshman sensation RB Caleb Hawkins built on his game against Army with another 140 rushing yards plus 78 receiving yards. Hawkins’ best play came on a screen that he turned into a 68-yard touchdown to put North Texas up by 14 in the third quarter. That was just one of three touchdowns he scored on Saturday.
Still, South Alabama nearly played spoiler, inching to within six with just six minutes left to play. Happily, The Mean Green sealed the game with two minutes left on a Hawkins’ 27-yard touchdown run.
The Mean Green have a huge Friday night game in two weeks against USF. Who would have thought that UNT vs. USF would have College Football Playoff implications at the start of the year? After that, North Texas will have a showdown with Navy that will clear the College Football Playoff picture.
LIGHT THE TOWER!!#GMG🦅 pic.twitter.com/YjEO1cuPRd
— UNT Football (@MeanGreenFB) September 27, 2025
Memphis Uses Fourth Quarter Explosion to Beat Florida Atlantic
After entering the fourth quarter with just a five-point lead, many wondered if Memphis had an emotional hangover from their Arkansas win. A 31-point fourth quarter put those worries to rest in a 55-26 win over Florida Atlantic. Another week, another Tiger running back excelled. This time, RB Greg Desrosiers Jr. had 204 yards and three touchdowns on just 19 carries a week after RB Sutton Smith carried Memphis to victory. The Tigers clearly have an embarrassment of riches in the backfield. Meanwhile, QB Brendon Lewis continued his darkhorse Heisman campaign with 196 passing yards, 60 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns.
Florida Atlantic’s passing game looked impressive in a losing effort. FAU QB Caden Veltkamp threw for 318 yards with the help of two 100-yard receivers, Easton Messer and Jayshon Platt. The Owls proved they could give teams trouble, but they still must put together more complete performances to take the next step in a stacked conference.
Saturday Win Rewind: Florida Atlantic Edition #GoTigersGo | @FirstHorizonBnk pic.twitter.com/keejECcgYf
— Memphis Tigers (@TigersAthletics) September 29, 2025
Navy Escapes With a Home Win Against Rice
Rice proved every bit as tough as anticipated in their 21-13 loss to Navy. The Owls settled in after letting Navy get off to a fast 14-0 start, and they fought to the bitter end. The Midshipmen wound up needing an onside kick recovery with 23 seconds remaining to survive the Owls’ upset bid. Navy contained Rice’s new option attack, holding it to just 120 rushing yards on the day, while QB Blake Horvath and FB Alex Tecza both ran for 100 yards. Despite those gaudy stats, the Midshipmen’s offense left much to be desired. Or maybe Rice’s rushing defense is just that good.
After beating inferior teams to start the season, Rice showed that it can compete with the league’s best. Unfortunately, the Midshipmen are just the start of an arduous gauntlet of teams remaining in Rice’s path to a bowl berth. The Owls still have Memphis, North Texas, and USF on the docket. On the other side, Navy has the first leg of the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy this week against Air Force.
Rushing TD ✌️ for Blake#RollGoats | @American_Conf | @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/ZyP65VgRJW
— Navy Football (@NavyFB) September 27, 2025
Tulane Beats Tulsa
Finally, Green Wave QB Jake Retzlaff overcame his dreadful 5/17 game against Ole Miss to throw for 242 yards in a 31-14 win over Tulsa. Tulane RB Javin Gordon led the team with three rushing touchdowns, while Tulane’s defense held Tulsa RB Dominic Richardson to 48 yards a week after he ran for 146 against Oklahoma State. This Tulane team remains very much in the College Football Playoff race.
The Green Wave are off this week, but they’ll have a potentially impactful Thursday night matchup against East Carolina the following week. That game could serve as a College Football Playoff elimination game for both teams.
Touchdown Tulane!!
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) September 27, 2025
Make that three rushing touchdowns for @Javingordon5 as he bounces it outside.
3Q | 5:28 | Tulane 31-14#RollWave 🌊 pic.twitter.com/DVKJsKK8gL
Go Army! Beat UAB!!!
