As For Football
An insider's guide for cadets, Old Grads, and Army Football fans.
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Around the American: Week 8

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Two words summarized Week 8 of American Conference play — defense optional. Nearly every game in the conference turned into a high-scoring shootout, with even the option teams getting into the act. Three games totaled over 80 combined points, while another had 73. In the preview, I questioned whether the American could exceed a thrilling Week 7, and the league did so in marvelous fashion.

Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican.

Memphis Escapes East Carolina in Overtime

East Carolina nearly killed Memphis’ College Football Playoff hopes for a second consecutive year. However, the Tigers clawed their way to a 41-34 overtime win. Memphis had to overcome a 14-point second-half deficit to pull this one out.

East Carolina’s quarterback situation is unclear again. Opening day starter Mitch Griffis replaced QB Emory Williams and performed well, throwing for 199 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown tied the game with 90 seconds left and helped send the contest into overtime.

Memphis QB Marcus Stokes played mistake-free this week after committing five turnovers against Tulane. Stokes threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in overtime. DB Ellis Ellis Jr. clinched the game for Memphis with an interception on East Carolina’s overtime possession.

Memphis keeps its faint College Football Playoff hopes alive for now. However, they’ve got little room for error in both the Playoff and conference championship races. By comparison, East Carolina falls to 3-4 and faces an arduous path to a bowl game with contests against FAU, USF, and Army remaining.

FAU and Rice Combine for 100 Points

Many expected FAU to put up points against Rice this week, but hardly anybody expected the Owls from Houston to keep up. But Rice QB Gael Ochoa used his legs to duel with FAU’s Caden Veltkamp in a heart-stopping back-and-forth affair.

Ochoa had a staggering 259 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries, while also throwing a 71-yard touchdown pass. He scored on runs of 55, 52, 74, and 69 yards. These runs accounted for four of nine touchdowns of over 30 yards between both teams. On the other side, WR Easton Messer did it all for FAU, catching 12 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for two touchdowns, and returning a punt for an 82-yard score.

Although FAU got the win, Rice may have found its quarterback of the future. Starting QB Jacurri Brown has run the offense well, but not to the degree that Gael Ochoa did. The Owls will get to see what Ochoa can offer as it plays out the rest of a lost season. Meanwhile, this shootout calls FAU’s credibility into serious question. Many touted the Owls as a conference contender after they got off to a 4-1 start. However, that 4-1 start has looked much less impressive over the past two weeks.

FAU’s win over FIU was its signature non-conference win, but FIU is now 3-4. At the time, many wrote off Navy’s furious comeback against the Owls as nothing more than FAU playing a prevent defense, but now it looks like a serious indicator of this team’s liabilities against the run, especially the option. The Owls should still make a bowl this year, but their defense will have to improve in its upcoming stretch given games against North Texas, UTSA, and Tulsa.

Special Teams and Defensive Touchdowns Push North Texas Past Navy

Raise your hand if you thought Navy would outgain North Texas this week. Navy’s offense had arguably its best game all year, gaining 505 yards, including 363 on the ground. Nonetheless, North Texas prevailed, 49-39, mostly thanks to two plays on special teams and defense. In the second quarter, North Texas executed a brilliant fake punt return when Dalton Carnes sneaked back as a second returner and fooled the Navy punt coverage unit en route to a 76-yard touchdown return. In the third quarter, UNT LB Zakye Barker returned Navy FB Stefan Egbe’s fumble 62 yards for a touchdown.

These plays became the difference in this game. Navy ran the ball consistently, getting 228 yards and three touchdowns from QB Jackson Gutierrez. Navy SB Michael Barrow also ran 21 times for 92 yards. The 21 attempts were the most for a Navy slotback/snipe since at least 2000. On the other side, UNT WR Justin Stevenson caught eight passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. RB Jaheim White ran for 174 yards and caught four passes for 58 more yards.

For the Mids, every win before Army-Navy is now a must-win if they want to get to a bowl game. The Midshipmen need six wins before December’s face-off and currently sit at 2-5. They have their yearly game against Notre Dame on ABC this weekend. North Texas remains unbeaten in conference play with a colossal matchup against UTSA looming on November 14. That game might preview the American Conference Championship. But first, the Mean Green must shift from facing Navy’s Wing-T to FAU’s Air Raid on a short week.

UTSA Dominates Tulane on the Road

UTSA avoided the upset against Tulane with a 42-19 win at Yulman Stadium. The Roadrunners forced six turnovers and held the Green Wave’s steady run game to just 93 non-sack yards. A total of 81 of those yards came on a single run by Tulane RB Johnnie Daniels in the fourth quarter.

UTSA RB Will Henderson III ran for 102 yards, while his running mate A’Marion Peterson ran for a pair of scores. Conversely, QB Owen McCown struggled, throwing for 173 yards and two interceptions on 23 attempts.

UTSA remains the American’s best College Football Playoff candidate at 7-1 with a loss to Texas. The Roadrunners are off this week, but face the high-flying offenses of FAU and North Texas in their next two games. Those are their toughest tests remaining. Tulane, however, is in danger of missing its first bowl since 2021 at 3-4. The Green Wave have winnable games against Charlotte and Rice, but they must also win at least one game against Tulsa, North Texas, or USF to reach the postseason.

What caught your eye this week, friends?

Go Army! Beat Memphis!!!

About the Author

Omar-Rashon Borja

Just a guy being a dude and writing mostly about college football and occasionally other things. Writing helped me through my first heartbreak and my other interests are playing R&B songs on the keyboard, ballroom dance, and most importantly Jesus :) Read more of Omar's work at Redshirt Sports.

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