The American showed the country it did not have to wait until October to bring out the treats. The conference showcased its parity while delivering plenty of must-watch television. From scoring explosions to shocking upsets, we got peak entertainment. Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican.
UTSA Wins Thrilling Shootout Against Colorado State
A week after the Texas Longhorns held UTSA to 142 yards, the Roadrunners responded with a 59-45 win over Colorado State. UTSA QB Owen McCown threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while three running backs ran for at least 60 yards each. In all, the Roadrunners raced to 542 yards of total offense and outlasted Colorado State.
QB K’saan Farrar, UConn’s 2025 Fenway Bowl starter and a familiar face to Army fans, was brilliant in his second career start for the Rams, throwing for 344 yards and two touchdowns. Farrar looked much more comfortable passing the ball on Saturday than in the blowout Fenway Bowl loss, leading the Rams to 500 yards of total offense.
The Rams inched to within seven points of the Roadrunners on a field goal with 2:09 left in the fourth quarter. However, UTSA RB A’Marion Peterson scored a 47-yard touchdown to seal the game for UTSA after the Roadrunners recovered the ensuing onside kick. This was the response the American needed after Memphis and North Texas lost a pair of games to PAC-12 schools a week ago. The battle for the title of preeminent Group of Six conference between the two leagues continues.
Furthermore, UTSA seems to be the quietest of all of the American’s title contenders. The Roadrunners’ first few years in the league have been average, and their non-conference slate has no signature wins. But the team has plenty of experience and one of the conference’s scariest offenses. Notably, the Roadrunners avoid Memphis in an otherwise favorable schedule.
UTSA's @MekhiAnderson3 has been recognized by the American Conference for his performance in the 59-45 win over Colorado State, which included a 100-yard kickoff return TD.#210TriangleOfToughness | #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/mnQPWExRn9
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 28, 2026
UAB Beats Navy For the First Time Ever
UAB proved it is no longer a laughingstock in the American by upsetting preseason favorite Navy, 24-20, in a Friday night showcase. The Blazers sacked Squid QB Jackson Gutierrez six times, with Marlin Dean and Jo’Tavion Pierce each tallying two-and-a-half. UAB RB Bam McReynolds then rambled 48 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 10:48 left after the Blazers recovered a Navy fumble.
Gutierrez was solid in his first career start for the Mids. He ran for 134 yards and a touchdown. Still, the Navy offense looked overly dependent on him. He had 34 of the team’s 58 rushing attempts, and the Midshipmen utilized the fullback just eight times all game. Many figured there would be a drop-off after the Midshipmen lost their whole backfield, but this imbalance is greatly concerning.
With a game against FCS Samford next week, UAB can start 3-2 and enter the halfway point with realistic bowl hopes. This is a far cry from the doldrums of the Trent Dilfer tenure. New Head Coach Alex Mortenson seems to have brought life to a previously ridiculed program. On the other hand, Navy now looks headed for a rebuild. Nevertheless, Gutierrez is their quarterback of the future. He should continue to grow in Drew Cronic’s complex scheme.
Dean Named American Conference Defensive Player of the Week
— UAB Football (@UAB_FB) September 28, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/PvXE8tubdn#WinAsOne pic.twitter.com/YDZrCFfhQQ
Arkansas Calms the Golden Hurricane
Tulsa’s College Football Playoff hopes took a significant blow with a 34-6 loss to SEC bottom-feeder Arkansas. The Golden Hurricane ran for 65 yards while allowing Razorbacks QB KJ Jackson to throw for 309 yards. Arkansas snapped a 12-game losing streak to FBS opponents with the win. Tulsa Backup QB Dexter Williams II performed admirably, throwing for 176 yards without an interception, but the Golden Hurricane sorely missed starter Baylor Hayes’ presence.
Tulsa’s College Football Playoff case is an intriguing one. The Oklahoma State win looks more impressive each week. Unfortunately, the blowout loss to Arkansas makes it look like an anomaly. The Golden Hurricane can help their case by winning out, obviously, but this game would have removed a lot of doubt regarding their legitimacy as a Playoff contender.
On the road to Louisiana Saturday night.
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) September 28, 2026
🆚 La Tech
📍Ruston, La.
🏈 7:30 p.m.
Watch live on ESPN+ and listen on the Varsity Network App. #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/iKNnp0AzNe
USF Avoids Embarrassing Upset Against Bowling Green
The most shocking result this week was not even a loss. South Florida struggled for three quarters against an 0-3 Bowling Green squad that had already lost to FCS Tarleton State. The Falcons held a 6-0 lead entering the fourth quarter against the Bulls despite having allowed 111 points in their two previous games against FBS opposition.
USF had no answer for Bowling Green’s pass rush, particularly DE Myles Bradley. Bradley had 4.5 of the Falcons’ six total sacks of USF QB Michael Van Buren. Bradley lined up wide à la former Florida great DE Jevon Kearse, a friend and former Tennessee Titans teammate of Bowling Green Head Coach Eddie George, getting one-on-one against USF’s right tackle, who could do absolutely nothing to stop him — or even slow him down. USF threw for a paltry 52 yards on 11 pass attempts, meaning that Bowling Green sacked Van Buren on over one-third of his dropbacks.
Still, USF found a way to win. The Bulls all but abandoned the run in the fourth quarter and then scored two touchdowns in less than eight minutes on the ground. USF RB D.J. Crowther finished with 144 yards on the day. The USF defense still had to withstand a late Bowling Green rally, but they handled it, forcing a turnover on downs with just 37 seconds left.
This was not the most glamorous result, but the Bulls remain one of the last unbeaten teams in the Group of Six. By default, this makes them a Playoff candidate. Nonetheless, Bowling Green exposed the Bulls’ O-Line badly, especially in pass protection. First-year Head Coach Brian Hartline will have to adjust if his team wants to fulfill its early-season potential.
Just another day in the office for @dj_crowther3 💯 pic.twitter.com/1fPbyIC2SN
— South Florida Football (@USFFootball) September 27, 2026
Fourth-String Quarterback and Special Teams Win the Battle of the Bell for Tulane
Tulane needed a blocked field goal and a little-known backup quarterback to survive upset-minded Southern Mississippi in the Battle of the Bell. The Green Wave blocked Southern Mississippi’s 21-yard field goal with 1:45 left to preserve a 24-21 lead. Moments later, fourth-string QB Dagan Bruno took the first snap of his career and ran nine yards to convert a 3rd-and-five to clinch the game.
The Green Wave had another 200-yard rusher this week. RB Maurice Turner hit that mark on just 12 carries. In all, Tulane ran for a whopping 281 yards, though their passing game remains a liability. Along with Bruno, third-string Tulane QB Trace Johnson also saw action. In all, Tulane threw for fewer than 200 yards for the second straight week. One has to wonder how their one-dimensional offense will hold up in conference play. We’ve now seen four quarterbacks in as many games for the Green Wave.
RINGING ALL NIGHT! #UptownFootball | #AIE pic.twitter.com/jzdepbVXwY
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) September 27, 2026
Other Notes From Around the League
WRs Kelby Valsin and Dominique Henry each caught nine passes for more than 100 yards for FAU in their 45-17 rout of hapless ULM. FAU QB Caden Veltkamp threw for 314 yards, while RB Ethan Ervin ran for 139 in the Owls’ third win over the Warhawks in ten tries.
Charlotte was not as lucky against its Sun Belt opponent, losing to Louisiana, 34-7. The 49ers gained just 137 yards of offense. Moreover, QB Cole Gonzales’s time as starter appears to be over. Head Coach Tim Albin benched Gonzales for 2025 starter Conner Harrell after Gonzales threw his sixth interception of the season. Unfortunately, the 49ers seem to be regressing after a solid showing in Week One.
Rice’s shotgun option offense was explosive, but the defense could not hold Fresno State in a 38-24 late-night loss. QB Jacurri Brown ran for 141 yards, while RB Ben Grice took an 88-yard option pitch for a touchdown. In all, Rice ran for 344 yards. But Fresno State outscored the Owls 24-10 in the second half to overcome a 17-14 halftime deficit. Still, Rice’s option offense looks like it will be a nuisance to its conference opponents this year.
East Carolina easily dispatched North Carolina Central, 42-9, with a new quarterback at the helm. Miami (FL) transfer QB Emory Williams threw for 341 yards in his first start for the Pirates. The offense had previously struggled with Mitch Griffis under center. Fans will recall that a quarterback change spurred a late-season surge for East Carolina in 2024. Could 2026 repeat history?
Put on a show! 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/6kFhEpfTuR
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) September 26, 2026
Finally, North Texas rebounded from its loss to Texas State with a 63-14 drubbing of Houston Christian. QB Tayven Jackson completed 16 of his 18 passes for 270 yards, while RB Jaheim White ran for 133 yards and four touchdowns. White is a name to watch. He already has seven rushing touchdowns in the Mean Green’s first four games.
We had a great week, friends. Now we look forward to the start of conference play across most of the league.
Go Army! Beat La. Tech!!!
