Week two in the American saw no shortage of excitement. Between high-scoring conference openers and late-game heroics, the league’s teams once again showed why this is one of the most thrilling conferences in the country.
But enough monologue. It’s time to go #AroundTheAmerican.
UTSA and Memphis Split Pac-12 Faceoffs
The American went 1-1 in arguably its most important non-conference games of the weekend. The Pac-12 is pursuing the American’s claim as the preeminent Group of Six conference, with some supporters even claiming it is still a Power Conference. UTSA and Memphis went 1-1 in their games against the Pac-12. RB Brandon High Jr.‘s 25-yard run with 14 seconds left gave UTSA a 31-26 win over Texas State, marking their first win in the I-35 rivalry since 2023.
However, the American’s loss to the Pac-12 may prove more consequential. Memphis blew a 17-3 lead in an eventual 38-20 loss to Boise State. Memphis QB Marcus Stokes was magnificent, completing 17 of his 25 passes for 384 yards. Unfortunately, the Memphis defense allowed Boise to run for 357 yards, including 206 from RB Dylan Riley.
The loss takes the American Conference out of the early-season College Football Playoff seat and puts the winner of the September 26th Boise State-Western Michigan game in its place. More importantly, it strengthens the Pac-12’s claim as the best non-Power Conference. Memphis is one of the most consistent programs in college football and a constant name in Power Conference realignment talks. So the Pac-12’s best just beat the American’s best. That might hold more weight than a solid UTSA squad struggling to beat a former Sun Belt team perceived to be the Pac-12 weakest team.
UTSA outscored Texas State, 24-9, in the second half, and used a Brandon High Jr. 25-yard TD run in the final seconds to rally for a 31-26 victory — the 100th in program history — in the Battle for I-35 on Saturday afternoon.
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 13, 2026
📰 https://t.co/QCUw2Mskep#210TriangleOfToughness |… pic.twitter.com/ZZv49R5wJ8
Temple Fights Valiantly Against Penn State
It looked as if Temple might notch a rare win over Penn State in the first half of their game Saturday. The Owls and Nittany Lions played to a 3-3 stalemate until Penn State scored a touchdown in the final minute of the first half to take the lead.
From there, the Nittany Lions never looked back. They escaped a pesky Temple team, 27-9. Still, the Owls looked good. Temple averaged five yards per carry on 33 rushes against Penn State. This is particularly encouraging after the defensive liabilities future key opponents Army and Memphis displayed Saturday. Despite the loss, Temple remains an early contender in a wide-open American Conference.
Final:
— Temple Football (@Temple_FB) September 12, 2026
Temple 9
Penn State 27
The Owls will take the road next Saturday to battle Toledo at 3:00 pm. The game can be found on CBS Sports Network.#TempleTUFF
FAU Outlasts Navy in Conference Opener
QB Caden Veltkamp and WR Easton Messer put on a passing clinic in FAU’s 38-30 win over Navy. Veltkamp threw for 386 yards and five touchdowns with just five incompletions. Easton Messer caught eight of those passes for 179 yards. WRs Kelby Valsin and Dominique Henry also both caught at least six passes, with Valsin exceeding the century mark in yards.
The Owls proved that they are a sleeper in the conference with this performance. The final score does not indicate FAU’s dominance throughout this game. The Owls led 38-7 late in the 3rd quarter against a Navy team many prognosticators believed was a conference favorite.
A quarterback controversy may be afoot in Annapolis. QB Jackson Gutierrez passed for 100 yards and ran for 75 more off the bench after starter Braxton Woodson went down with an injury. Woodson ran for 96 yards, but was inaccurate passing, completing just three of his eleven passing attempts. The Midshipmen have a bye week to figure it out, but Woodson’s time as starter may be over soon.
Without a doubt 🔥@crveltkamp
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 14, 2026
See him and the Owls Saturday vs FIU— get tickets here! https://t.co/eLZOaxFyPN
📰 https://t.co/u2Zy26JdYk#WIP🏝️ pic.twitter.com/n8K2mdtWrS
North Texas Makes a Statement Against UNLV
After the mass exodus of its coach and roster to Oklahoma State, it was easy to write off North Texas. Nonetheless, the Mean Green showed they are still a threat in a 44-6 win over Mountain West favorite UNLV. North Texas forced four turnovers, while QB Tayven Jackson threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns. RB Jaheim White added 124 rushing yards on 12 carries.
North Texas looked more dominant than Memphis did in its win over UNLV.
Their defense could be even better than they were last year. This week’s performance followed an outing in which North Texas held the defending national champions, Indiana, to just 334 yards.
CBS Sports @AmericanConf Coaches of the Week!@Coach_NealBrown ➡️ Head Coach of the Week@CoachPowledge ➡️ Coordinator of the Week#GMG🦅 pic.twitter.com/8iDOn9JeB7
— UNT Football (@MeanGreenFB) September 14, 2026
Other Notes From Around the League
Tulsa nearly had a hangover from the Oklahoma State game, escaping Sam Houston, 23-17. The Golden Hurricane stayed stout against the run, holding Sam Houston to 55 yards. After week one opponent Oklahoma State’s win over Oregon, Tulsa is an early College Football Playoff candidate.
Rice and Charlotte both suffered blowout losses to Power Four opponents. Notre Dame held the Owls’ option offense to just 64 rushing yards and 128 total in a 52-0 drubbing. Charlotte fared a little better against Ole Miss. The 49ers lost 41-9, but exceeded expectations, covering a 44.5-point spread comfortably. The Rebels outgained the 49ers 420 yards to 322.
UAB avenged its 2024 blowout loss to Louisiana-Monroe with a come-from-behind 26-20 win. The Blazers overcame a 20-10 deficit behind 114 rushing yards from RB Rod Robinson II. UAB ran for 266 yards while QB Ryder Burton threw just 16 passes.
Esonwune, Delange Earn American Conference Player of the Week Honors
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) September 14, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/UbPurMFBlo#WinAsOne pic.twitter.com/wq3prrZ5NZ
The American split its games against the Sun Belt on Saturday. A late comeback effort by East Carolina fell short against Appalachian State in a 27-24 loss. East Carolina QB Mitch Griffis threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Pirates could not recover the onside kick with 21 seconds remaining after making it a one-score game.
Tulane needed a 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Kadin Semonza to WR Destyn Hill with 1:17 left to beat South Alabama, 28-24, in a game dubbed, “The Mardi Gras Bowl.” That result is concerning, but the Green Wave may have found their next great running back. RB Jaylin Lucas ran for 214 yards on 11 carries. His backfield counterpart, RB Johnnie Daniels, also contributed, putting up a fun, six-carry, eight-yard, two-touchdown stat line.
Beat the Bye Week, friends.
