The American has certainly seen better weeks. The conference suffered numerous losses to the Group of Six, including an overtime heartbreaker. Still, there were silver linings for the league. A pair of teams got much-needed non-conference wins to boost them before conference play. Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican.
FAU Wins the Shula Bowl
It may not have been the high-scoring affair most expected, but FAU avenged last year’s Shula Bowl loss in a 16-10 win over FIU. The Owls’ defense intercepted FIU QB J.J. Kohl three times. FAU’s defense carried the burden after the offense only gained 258 yards. Thankfully, the defense’s interceptions led to two Owl scoring drives that began inside the FIU 30-yard line.
Despite the team’s defensive heroics, FAU still needed to stop a last-minute drive to stave off an upset. FIU drove to the FAU 17 before time expired.
The win puts FAU on equal footing with league favorite USF. The Bulls also struggled at home against this FIU squad, which looks like a Conference USA favorite. Nonetheless, the Owls’ offensive struggles against solid defenses could hinder their ability to contend in the American.
Rest easy, Owl Nation🦉 pic.twitter.com/GwmqkS1Nef
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 20, 2026
Temple Loses Overtime Shootout to Toledo
It looked like Temple clinched a quality non-conference win after it took a 42-28 lead with under seven minutes left in the game against Toledo. However, a meltdown for the ages ensued in the final three minutes.
The Rockets drove 83 yards in two minutes and three seconds to score with 1:05 remaining. Toledo then recovered the onside kick and scored another touchdown to tie the game with 54 seconds remaining.
The two schools traded touchdowns in overtime, but Temple’s two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete to give Toledo a 49-48 win.
The loss is heartbreaking, but Temple finally has its quarterback. QB Ajani Sheppard was magnificent after battling Jackson Smolik for the starter’s job through the first two games. Sheppard threw for 164 yards and three touchdowns without an interception while adding 66 yards and another score on the ground.
The Owls also showed their immense backfield depth. After RB Keveun Mason led the rushing attack the first couple of weeks, Samuel Brown ran for over 109 yards and two scores in his season debut. In all, the Owls ran for a season-high 261 yards.
Although the Owls are 1-2, both losses look entirely respectable. Temple and its powerful run game will be a problem throughout league play.
3️⃣ total touchdowns on the day for @SjbV5 #TempleTUFF pic.twitter.com/4yVVqDAtUH
— Temple Football (@Temple_FB) September 19, 2026
The American Goes 0-2 Against the Power Four
The American had two more shots at a signature Power Four win and fell short both times. After taking an early lead, Tulane lost to Kansas State, 31-20.
The Wildcats focused on stopping the run, and it worked. Tulane RB Jaylin Lucas had minus-two yards after an electric 214-yard performance the previous week. The Green Wave ran for 95 yards overall. Worse, Kansas State’s stifling of the Green Wave running game amplified Tulane’s continuing quarterback struggles. QB Kadin Semonza completed just 50 percent of his passes for 165 yards.
The final score makes the game seem closer than it truly was. The Green Wave added a late backdoor touchdown with three minutes left. Tulane looks destined for a rare rebuilding year after its offensive struggles in the first three weeks.
UTSA had a respectable performance against #1 Texas but never came close to beating the Longhorns in a 30-6 loss. The Roadrunners could not find any rhythm on offense. UTSA gained 142 yards of total offense. QB Luke McCown threw for just 70 yards, while RB Will Henderson III had just 38 rushing yards.
Brandon Tucker Jr. posted a game-high 11 tackles, but No. 1 Texas pulled away from UTSA on Saturday night in front of 103,753 fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.#210TriangleOfToughness | #BirdsUp 🤙https://t.co/vW7OG3Hot1
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 20, 2026
East Carolina Upsets Old Dominion
Aside from FAU, East Carolina was the only other American Conference team to beat an FBS foe this week. Ayden Duncanson’s 67-yard pick-six powered the Pirates to a 20-17 victory over Old Dominion. East Carolina ran for 173 yards, with RB TJ Engleman leading the pack with 99 yards. The Pirates needed the running game’s stability amid their emerging quarterback controversy.
Head coach Blake Harrell benched starting QB Mitch Griffis for Emory Williams early in the game, before reinserting Griffis later on. In the end, Griffis completed just four of his 12 passes for 58 yards. Like many other American Conference teams, East Carolina has the pieces to make a run, but they also have lingering questions at the quarterback position.
The 2nd half spark 🏴☠️ @AydenDuncanson pic.twitter.com/8K18rrdvc0
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) September 20, 2026
Other Notes From Around the League
The American fell to 1-2 against the PAC-12 after North Texas’ 49-35 loss to Texas State. UNT QB Taven Jackson threw for 483 yards but could not overcome the Mean Green’s defensive woes. North Texas allowed 605 total yards, including 214 rushing yards by Texas State RB Torrance Burgess Jr. The loss further destabilizes the American’s claim to being the preeminent Group of Six conference.
Rice lost a hard-fought game to Western Michigan, 28-21. QB Jacurri Brown had another solid game commanding the Owls’ option offense, passing for 121 yards and rushing for 128. Western Michigan’s run game was steadier, though, running for 217 yards in the win.
After rushing for 266 yards last week against Louisiana-Monroe, UAB ran for just 74 in a 21-14 loss to Louisiana. In turn, the Blazers allowed 225 rushing yards to the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Charlotte’s late comeback attempt against Appalachian State failed, leaving them with a 26-21 loss. The 49ers nearly overcame a 26-7 deficit, but their onside kick attempt after Collin Gill’s 36-yard pick-six failed. Cole Gonzales threw another two interceptions to bring his total to five for the season. These continued turnover struggles could get him benched for Conner Harrell again.
The American took care of business against FCS teams, going 3-0. Memphis ran for 299 yards and Marcus Stokes threw four touchdowns in a 45-21 win over Tennessee-Martin. Journeyman backup quarterback Dexter Williams II threw for three touchdowns in place of Baylor Hayes in Tulsa’s 42-0 win over East Texas A&M. Finally, USF gained 611 yards of offense in a 59-17 win over Delaware State.
Balled out 😤 pic.twitter.com/OOuaTbgnOy
— South Florida Football (@USFFootball) September 21, 2026
Thankfully, we’ve got actual Army Football back later this week.
Go Army! Beat Temple!!!
