THIS WEEK IN THE AAC
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6
SMU at Memphis *
Time: Noon
Series: Memphis leads, 9-4
Last Meeting: Oct. 13, 2020 (SMU, 30-27)
Temple at East Carolina *
Time: 3 p.m.
Series: Temple leads, 10-8
Last Meeting: Nov. 21, 2020 (East Carolina, 28-3)
Navy at Notre Dame
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: Notre Dame leads, 77-13-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2019 (Notre Dame, 52-20)
Tulsa at Cincinnati *
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: Cincinnati leads, 17-16-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 20, 2020 (Cincinnati, 27-24)
Tulane at UCF *
Time: 4 p.m.
Series: UCF leads, 8-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 24, 2020 (UCF, 51-34)
Houston at South Florida *
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series: Houston leads, 5-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 14, 2020 (Houston, 56-21)
AMERICAN NOTEBOOK
Elite Company
Cincinnati (8-0) is one of six undefeated teams nationally through Week 9 of the 2021 season. Oklahoma is 9-0, while Cincinnati, UTSA, Wake Forest, Georgia and Michigan State are all 8-0.
Power 6
The American is one of five NCAA FBS conferences with at least three nationally ranked teams in this week Associated Press poll. Number of Teams Ranked in Oct. 31 AP Poll
6 SEC
5 Big Ten
3 American, Big 12
2 Independents, Sun Belt
1 Conference USA, ACC, Pac-12, Mountain West
Defend This House
Cincinnati enters Week 10 with the second-longest home field winning streak nationally as the Bearcats have won 24 straight at Nippert Stadium, trailing only Clemson (32).
Active Home Winning Streaks
32 Clemson
24 Cincinnati
17 Oregon
High Point
Cincinnati is ranked No. 2 in this week’s Associated Press poll for the third consecutive week, marking the highest ranking by an American Athletic Conference team in the league’s nine-year history.
Highest AP Ranks by American Athletic Conference Teams
No. 2 Cincinnati Oct. 17-31, 2021
No. 3 Cincinnati Oct. 10, 2021
No. 5 Cincinnati Oct. 3, 2021
No. 6 Houston Sept. 6-Oct. 2, 2016
UCF Final 2017
Cincinnati Nov. 1, Dec. 13-20, 2020
On A Roll
Cincinnati is 40-5 since the start of the 2018 season. SMU is 24-7 since the start of the 2019 campaign.
Bullies
Cincinnati has won 34 consecutive games against unranked teams.
Consistency
Cincinnati has been ranked in 36 consecutive national polls, dating to the rankings of Oct. 6, 2019.
Variety Show
Nine of the 11 American Athletic Conference schools have been ranked in the top 25 since the start of the 2018 season.
Rejection Letters
East Carolina CB Ja’Quan McMillian enters Week 10 as the NCAA FBS leader in passes defended, leading a group of three American Athletic Conference players among the
top seven national leaders.
2021 NCAA FBS Leaders – Passes Defended Per Game
1. Ja’Quan McMillian, East Carolina 2.2
2. Cortez Davis, Hawaii 1.7
3. Coby Bryant, Cincinnati 1.5
Trenton Thompson, San Diego State 1.5
Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville 1.5
t-7. Greg Rubin, Memphis 1.4
Point Production
SMU QB Tanner Mordecai has 32 touchdown passes through eight games. Mordecai has 14 more touchdown passes as any other American Athletic Conference player and is trails only Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe for the national lead.
Ford’s Theater
Cincinnati RB Jerome Ford is third nationally with 14 rushing touchdowns. South Florida RB Jaren Mangham is fifth with 13 TDs.
Streaking
Houston has won seven games in a row for the first time since an eight-game winning streak that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Austin III:16
Memphis WR Calvin Austin III has eight touchdown receptions in 2021, putting him seventh among NCAA FBS players. Austin has had touchdown receptions of 11, 21, 25, 30, 50, 55, 60 and 75 yards this season. He also has scored on a 94-yard punt return and a 69-yard run. Keeping Up With Jones Houston CB Marcus Jones, who was the 2020 American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, is the national leader in both kickoff return touchdowns (2) and punt return touchdowns (2).
Active Claims UCF QB Dillon Gabriel is the NCAA active career leader in passing yards and total offense per game. Gabriel has averaged 309.1 passing yards and 323.4 yards of total offense per game.
Rejection
Cincinnati leads the nation in pass efficiency defense (88.46).
Get The Punt Team Ready
Houston is the national leader in third down defense. Opponents have converted only 25% of third downs against the Cougars.
Coming To Your City
College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will originate from Cincinnati this weekend for the American Athletic Conference game between the No. 2 Bearcats and Tulsa,
a rematch of the 2020 American Championship Game. It is the ninth time that College GameDay has been centered on a game involving an American Athletic Conference team since the conference’s formation in 2013.
Draft Class
The American Athletic Conference saw 19 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, the most in conference history. Former Tulsa LB Zaven Collins (16th to Arizona) and
former Houston DE Payton Turner (28th to New Orleans) were both first-round selections.
TALKING POINTS
Central Florida
5-3, 3-2 American
@UCF_Football
Last: Won at Temple, 49-7
Next: Nov. 6 vs. Tulane (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..421.0 …………………..5th
Total Defense………………………….361.8 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ……………………….34.8 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ……………………… 25.9 …………………..4th
• QB Mikey Keene went 15-for-21 for 229 yards and threw a career-high five touchdown passes to lead the Knights to the road win against Temple.
• Keene’s five TDs against Temple matched his season total prior to Saturday’s game.
• UCF is 4-0 at home and 1-3 away from the Bounce House in 2021.
• UCF’s defense forced three turnovers and held the Owls to 297 total yards.
• UCF held Temple scoreless in the first three quarters, extending the Knights streak to five consecutive quarters without allowing a point. The Owls ended the streak with a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
CINCINNATI
8-0, 4-0 American
@BearcatsFB
Last: Won at Tulane, 31-12
Next: Nov. 6 vs. Tulsa (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………411.4 …………………..6th
Total Defense………………………… 294.4 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ……………………….39.9 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ……………………….14.3 ……………………1st
• Cincinnati outscored Tulane 17-0 in the second half as the Bearcats remained unbeaten with the win in New Orleans.
• TE Josh Whyle had four receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Wave.
• QB Desmond Ridder went 17-for-27 for 227 yards and three touchdowns and added 47 rushing yards against Tulane.
• Cincinnati has won its last 24 home games and has the second-longest homefield winning streak nationally (Clemson, 31).
• Cincinnati is 40-5 since the start of the 2018 season. The Bearcats are 21-1 all-time as a top-10 team.
• The Bearcats have won 11 straight games against American Athletic Conference opponents.
EAST CAROLINA
4-4, 2-2 American
@ECUPiratesFB
Last: Beat South Florida, 29-14
Next: Nov. 6 vs. Temple (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….426.0 …………………..4th
Total Defense………………………….425.3 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ……………………….28.8 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Defense ………………………26.6 …………………..5th
• East Carolina took advantage of four South Florida turnovers to get the come-from-behind win against the Bulls.
• CB Malik Fleming had a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter to give the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish.
• QB Holton Ahlers went 21-for-35 for 220 yards and a touchdown and had a season-high 78 rushing yards on 11 carries against the Bulls.
• RB Rahjai Harris rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries against South Florida, turning in his first 100-yard game of the season.
• East Caorlina did not allow a third down conversion against South Florida (0-for-7).
HOUSTON
7-1, 5-0 American
@UHCougarFB
Last: Beat SMU, 44-37
Next: Nov. 6 at South Florida (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..378.5 …………………..8th
Total Defense…………………………286.9 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense ………………………. 32.4 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.0 …………………. 2nd
• CB Marcus Jones’ 100-yard kickoff return with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Houston the win against No. 16 SMU.
• Jones scored on a kickoff return for the second consecutive game and also had six tackles and an interception against the Mustangs. He has four special teams touchdowns this season (two kickoff returns, two punt returns).
• The Cougars have won seven straight games for the first time since an eight-game winning streak that spanned the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
• QB Clayton Tune went 27-for-37 for 412 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in the win against SMU.
• WR Nathaniel Dell has nine receptions for 165 yards and three TDs against the Mustangs.
MEMPHIS
4-4, 1-3 American
@TigersAthletics
Last: Lost to UCF, 24-7
Next: Nov. 6 at SMU (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 462.9 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense…………………………409.9 …………………..8th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 32.3 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ………………………29.6 …………………..6th
• QB Peter Parrish went 31-for-48 for 215 yards in his first career start, but was intercepted three times in the loss at UCF.
• Parrish got the start in place of QB Seth Henigan, who was a late scratch with a shoulder injury.
• WR Calvin Austin III, who had averaged a league-leading 122.4 yards per game, was limited to 44 yards on seven receptions against UCF.
• Parrish completed passes to 12 different receivers, the most for Memphis in a game since a win against Mercer Sept. 1, 2018.
• The Tigers limited UCF to 295 total yards, marking the second straight game in which Memphis held its opponent below 300 yards.
NAVY
2-5, 2-3 American
@NavyAthletics
Last: Won at Tulsa, 20-17
Next: Nov. 6 at Notre Dame (NBC)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..281.5 ………………….11th
Total Defense………………………….347.0 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ……………………….. 18.1 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………30.0 ………………….. 7th
• QB Tai Lavatai and FB James Harris II scored on 1-yard touchdown runs in the second half to lead Navy past Tulsa Friday.
• K Bijan Nichols hit a 48-yard field goal to account for the winning margin.
• Navy has won 50 one-possession games since 2006, the most in the nation in that timeframe.
• RB Carlinos Acie had a team-high 80 rushing yards on three carries against Tulsa. Acie had a 64-yard rush that was Navy’s logest play from scrimmage this season.
• Navy did not complete a pass against Tulsa (0-for-4). All of Navy’s 302 yards of offense against the Golden Hurricane came on the ground.
SOUTH FLORIDA
2-6, 1-3 American
@USFFootball
Last: Lost at East Carolina, 29-14
Next: Nov. 6 vs. Houston (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 355.8 …………………..9th
Total Defense………………………….466.1 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 22.6 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ……………………….31.9 …………………..9th
• RB Kelley Joiner Jr. rushed for 103 yards on 12 carries in the loss to East Carolina. Joiner turned in his second consecutive 100-yard game.
• QB Katravis Marsh made his first start of the season and completed 15 of 30 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.
• WR Xavier Weaver had five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown against the Pirates.
• RB Jaren Mangham has had at least one rushing touchdown in seven consecutive games.
• LB Dwayne Boyles had a career-high 14 tackles with a fumble recovery against the Pirates.
SMU
7-1, 3-1 American
@SMU_Football
Last: Lost at Houston, 44-37
Next: Nov. 6 at Memphis (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..504.1 ……………………1st
Total Defense………………………….407.6 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense ……………………….42.0 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense ……………………….25.4 …………………..3rd
• QB Tanner Mordecai went 24-for-37 for 305 yards and three touchdowns in the loss at Houston as SMU saw it’s seven-game winning streak come to an end.
• Mordecai improved his season total to 32 touchdown passes, trailing only Western Kentucky’s Bailey Zappe nationally (33).
• S Bryan Massey scored a touchdown on a 100- yard kickoff return against Houston, giving him two TDs on kickoff returns this season.
• The loss to Houston snapped SMU’s 12-game winning streak against teams from the state of Texas.
• RB Tre Siggers had a rushing touchdown and a TD reception, giving him four straight games with at least one rushing touchdown.
TEMPLE
3-5, 1-3 American
@Temple_FB
Last: Lost to UCF, 49-7
Next: Nov. 6 at East Carolina (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 323.3 …………………10th
Total Defense…………………………385.3 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………..20.1 …………………10th
Scoring Defense ………………………35.8 …………………10th
• Temple was kept off the scoreboard until the final 28 seconds of its loss to UCF.
• QB D’Wan Mathis was 16-for-30 for 121 yards against the Knights. QB Justin Lynch came on in relief and was 3-for-6 for 46 yards and a touchdown.
• WR Jadan Blue had four receptions for 26 yards against UCF, moving into second place on Temple’s career receptions chart (168).
• The Owls have dropped three straight games.
• The Owls play two of their next three games on the road, beginning with Saturday’s matchup at East Carolina.
TULANE
1-7, 0-4 American
@GreenWaveFB
Last: Lost to Cincinnati, 31-12
Next: Nov. 6 at UCF (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..387.5 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense………………………….476.0 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 29.4 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ………………………40.9 ………………….11th
• RB Tyjae Spears rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in the loss to No. 2 Cincinnati.
• Spears became the first Tulane player with 100 rushing yards in a game this season.
• QB Kai Horton made his first career start after the Green Wave’s top two quarterbacks were out due to injuries. QB Michael Pratt saw a streak of 16 consecutive starts come to an end.
• LB Marvin Moody registered Tulane’s first safety since 2018 when he picked up a sack in the end zone in the second quarter.
• The Green Wave has lost six straight games for the first time since 2017.
• Tulane has faced for nationally ranked opponents for the first time since 1971.
TULSA
3-5, 2-2 American
@TulsaFootball
Last: Lost to Navy, 20-17
Next: Nov. 6 at Cincinnati (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….438.8 …………………..3rd
Total Defense…………………………396.0 …………………..6th
Scoring Offense ………………………..24.4 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ………………………30.9 …………………..8th
• RB Anthony Watkins had an 81-yard run and a 97-yard kickoff return to finish with 178 all-purporse yards, but it wasn’t enough to hold off Navy Friday night.
• WR JuanCarlos Santana had seven receptions for 109 yards against the Midshipmen, turning in his first 100-yard game of the season and the third of his career.
• Watkins’ kickoff return for a touchdown marked the first time since 2012 that Tulsa scored a on a kickoff return.
• LB Yohance Burnett had a game- and career-high 13 tackles against Navy.
• Tulsa plays the first of back-to-back road games Saturday against Cincinnati.
