SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
South Carolina at East Carolina
Time: Noon
Series: South Carolina leads, 14-5
Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2016 (South Carolina, 20-15)
Tulsa at Oklahoma State
Time: Noon
Series: Oklahoma State leads, 43-28-5
Last Meeting: Sept. 19, 2020 (Oklahoma State, 16-7)
Florida at South Florida
Time: 1 p.m.
Series: Florida leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 11, 2010 (Florida, 38-14)
Tulane vs. Morgan State
at Birmingham, Ala.
Time: 1 p.m.
Series: First meeting
Murray State at Cincinnati
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: First meeting
Air Force at Navy
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: Air Force leads, 31-22
Last Meeting: Oct. 3, 2010 (Air Force leads, 40-7)
Temple at Akron
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: Temple leads, 14-7
Last Meeting: Sept. 10, 2011 (Temple, 41-3)
Bethune-Cookman at Central Florida
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Series: UCF leads, 11-5
Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2014 (UCF, 41-7)
Houston at Rice
The HEB Bayou Bucket Classic
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Series: Houston leads, 31-11
Last Meeting: Sept. 1, 2018 (Houston, 45-27)
Memphis at Arkansas State
Time: 7 p.m.
Series: Memphis leads, 30-24-5
Last Meeting: Sept. 5, 2020 (Memphis, 37-24)
North Texas at SMU
Time: 7 p.m.
Series: SMU leads, 33-6-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 19, 2020 (SMU, 65-35)
All times Eastern
TALKING POINTS
UCF
1-0, 0-0 American
@UCF_Football
Last: Beat Boise State, 36-31
Next: Sept. 11 vs. Bethune-Cookman (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..573.0 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense…………………………283.0 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ……………………….36.0 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………….31.0 …………………..5th
• QB Dillon Gabriel threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns in the come-from-behind win against Boise State.
• The Knights trailed Boise State 21-0 before rallying for the win. It matched the largest comeback in program history.
• Head coach Gus Malzahn improved to 10-0 all-time in home-openers.
• UCF has scored a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown in 50 consecutive games, the longest streak in the nation.
• The Knights are 42-8 in their last 50 games.
• RB Isaiah Bowser rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos. It was the fifth career 100-yard game for the Northwestern transfer, and his first at UCF
CINCINNATI
1-0, 0-0 American
@BearcatsFB
Last: Beat Miami (Ohio), 49-14
Next: Sept. 11 vs. vs. Murray State (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 542.0 …………………..3rd
Total Defense………………………….278.0 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense ……………………….49.0 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ……………………….14.0 …………………. 2nd
• QB Desmond Ridder threw for 295 yards and
four touchdowns and added a rushing TD in the
win against Miami (Ohio).
• Cincinnati is 32-5 since the start of the 2018
season. The Bearcats are 14-1 all-time as a
top-10 team.
• Cincinnati extended its homefield winning
streak to 21 games with the victory against
Miami.
• Cincinnati has won its last 15 matchups
against Miami (Ohio), evening the all-time series — the oldest nonconference rivalry in the
nation — at 59-59-7.
• RB Jerome Ford rushed for 121 yards and a
touchdown against the RedHawks.
• The Bearcats scored the first 42 points of the
game against Miami.
EAST CAROLINA
0-1, 0-0 American
@ECUPiratesFB
Last: Lost to Appalachian State, 33-19
Next: Sept. 11 vs. South Carolna (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..381.0 …………………..8th
Total Defense…………………………485.0 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ………………………..19.0 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Defense ………………………33.0 …………………..6th
• QB Holton Ahlers threw for 300 yards and two
touchdowns in the loss to Appalachian State.
• The loss snapped a six-game series winning
streak against Appalachian State.
• RB Keaton Mitchell was the Pirates’ leading
rusher with 50 yards and the leading receiver
with five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown against Appalachian State.
• The Pirates were limited to 86 rushing yards
against the Mountaineers.
• CB Ja’Quan McMillian had a game-high 10
tackles to go with an interception and a pass
breakup against Appalachian State.
• Ahlers enters Saturday’s game against South
Carolina in 11th place on The American’s career
passing list (7,393 yards).
HOUSTON
0-1, 0-0 American
@UHCougarFB
Last: Lost to Texas Tech, 38-21
Next: Sept. 11 at Rice (CBSSN)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..251.0 ………………….11th
Total Defense………………………….376.0 …………………..6th
Scoring Offense ………………………..21.0 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ………………………38.0 ………………….. 7th
• Houston held a 21-7 first-half lead against
Texas Tech, but the Red Raiders outscored the
Cougars by a 31-0 margin in the second half.
• The Cougars had possession for the first 12:45
of the game and finished with a 13:10 advantage in time of possession (36:35-23:25).
• K Dalton Witherspoon has not missed a PAT
in his collegeiate career (135-of-135). Witherspoon ranks third on The American’s career
chart for consecutive made PATs and needs
19 to tie former UCF kicker Matthew Wright
for second place.
• CB/WR Marcus Jones registered six tackles
on defense and had three receptions and two
rushing attempts on offense.
• Saturday’s game at Rice will be the second of
four straight games in the city of Houston to
start the season.
MEMPHIS
1-0, 0-0 American
@TigersAthletics
Last: Beat Nicholls, 42-17
Next: Sept. 11 at Arkansas State (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..587.0 ……………………1st
Total Defense…………………………299.0 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ……………………….42.0 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ………………………..17.0 …………………..3rd
• K Joe Doyle accounted for 18 points, making
five field goals and three PATs, in the Tigers’
season-opening win against Nichols.
• RB Brandon Thomas rushed for 147 yards and
a touchdown on 16 carries in his first career
start
• WR Javon Ivory had 106 receiving yards on five
catches, registering his second consecutive
100-yard game.
• QB Seth Henigan became the first true freshman to start a season-opener behind center in
program history. Henigan threw for 265 yards
on 19-of-32 passing.
• The Tigers have won 16 straight games at
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
• Memphis did not punt against Nicholls. The
Tigers scored on their first nine drives
NAVY
0-1, 0-0 American
@NavyAthletics
Last: Lost to Marshall, 49-7
Next: Sept. 11 vs. Air Force (CBS)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….398.0 …………………..6th
Total Defense…………………………464.0 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense …………………………..7.0 …………………10th
Scoring Defense ………………………49.0 …………………10th
• Navy finished with 337 rushing yards and had
a 24-23 advantage in first downs in its seasonopener against Marshall.
• The Midshipmen had possession for 41:19
against Marshall.
• The Midshipmen’s 337 rushing yards were the
most for Navy since a 395-yard performance
against Army to close the 2019 regular season.
• FB James Harris II led Navy with a career-high
80 rushing yards on 11 carries against Marshall.
• QB Tai Lavatai made his first career start and
was one of four players to attempt a pass for
the Midshipmen against Marshall.
• QB Xavier Arline rushed for 76 yards and a
touchdown on 16 carries against the Thundering Herd.
SOUTH FLORIDA
0-1, 0-0 American
@USFFootball
Last: Lost to NC State, 45-0
Next: Sept. 11 vs. Florida (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………271.0 …………………..9th
Total Defense………………………….525.0 ………………….11th
Scoring Offense ………………………….0.0 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………45.0 …………………..9th
• QB Timmy McClain came off the bench to throw
for a team-high 126 yards, but was intercepted
twice in the season-opening setback to NC
State.
• McClain relieved starting QB Cade Fortin, who
threw was 7-of-20 for 41 yards in his first start
with the Bulls.
• LB Andrew Mims led all players with 14 tackles
against NC State.
• The Bulls were undone in part by three turnovers and 70 yards in penalties against the
Wolfpack.
• USF is celebrating its 25th season of football
in 2021. The program began intercollegiate play
in 1997.
• Saturday’s game against Florida will be the first
meeting between the teams in Tampa.
SMU
1-0, 0-0 American
@SMU_Football
Last: Beat Abilene Christian, 56-9
Next: Sept. 11 vs. North Texas (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….490.0 …………………..4th
Total Defense………………………… 332.0 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ……………………….56.0 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense …………………………9.0 ……………………1st
• QB Tanner Mordecai set a school record and
tied the American Athletic Conference singlegame mark with seven touchdown passes
against Abilene Christian in his first career
start.
• Mordecai had six touchdown passes in the
first half and finished the day with 317 yards
on 24-of-30 passing.
• WR Danny Gray, TE Grant Calcaterra and TE
Nolan Matthews had two touchdowns each
against Abilene Christian.
• The Mustangs had 12 players catch at least
one pass against Abilene Christian.
• The Mustangs are 10-1 in their last 11 games
at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
TEMPLE
0-1, 0-0 American
@Temple_FB
Last: Lost at Rutgers, 61-14
Next: Sept. 11 at Akron (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..261.0 …………………10th
Total Defense…………………………365.0 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………..14.0 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ……………………….61.0 ………………….11th
• The Owls were undone by five turnovers in the
season-opening loss at Rutgers.
• RB Edward Saydee rushed for a team-high 57
yards with a touchdown on 12 carries against
the Scarlet Knights.
• QB D’Wan Mathis, a transfer from Georgia, was
8-of-24 for 148 yards and an interception in his
first start with Temple.
• Rutgers scored the first 26 points and the final
35 points of the game against Temple. The Owls
had closed to within 26-14 in the third quarter.
• The Owls play their second of back-to-back
road games to start the 2021 season with
Saturday’s trip to Akron.
TULANE
0-1, 0-0 American
@GreenWaveFB
Last: Lost at Oklahoma, 40-35
Next: Sept. 11 vs. Morgan State (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….396.0 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense…………………………430.0 …………………..8th
Scoring Offense ……………………….35.0 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ………………………40.0 …………………..8th
• QB Michael Pratt threw for a career-high 296
yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing TD, but it wasn’t enough for the Green Wave
to complete a comeback at No. 2 Oklahoma.
• Tulane outscored Oklahoma 21-3 in the second
half, but was unable to overcome the Sooners’
23-point second quarter.
• WR Tyrick James had six receptions for 93
yards against the Sooners.
• The Green Wave held Oklahoma to 118 yards
of offense in the second half.
• Saturday’s game against Morgan State has
been moved to Legion Field in Birmingham,
Alabama.
TULSA
0-1, 0-0 American
@TulsaFootball
Last: Lost to UC Davis, 19-17
Next: Sept. 11 at Oklahoma State (FS1)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….448.0 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense…………………………399.0 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense …………………………17.0 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.0 …………………..4th
• Tulsa had a 448-399 advantage in total offense, but the Golden Hurricane was unable
to get past UC Davis in the season-opener.
• The loss marked Tulsa’s first setback to an FCS
opponent since a 22-17 loss to Louisiana Tech
in 1986.
• Tulsa had not dropped a season-opener at
home since a 41-10 loss to Minnesota in 2005.
• RB Deneric Prince rushed for a game-high 151
yards with a touchdown on 14 carries against
UC Davis.
• RB Shamari Brooks, who missed the entire
2020 season due to injury, had 80 yards on 10
carries in his return to action.
• WR Keylon Stokes had 116 all-purpose yards,
becoming the third Tulsa player with 4,000
career all-purpose yards (4,072).
AGAINST THE CONFERENCES
ATLANTIC COAST (0-1)
NC State 45, South Florida 0 (9/2)
UCF at Louisville (9/17)
Boston College at Temple (9/18)
BIG 12 (0-2)
Oklahoma 40, Tulane 35 (9/4)
Texas Tech 38, Houston 21 (9/4)
Tulsa at Oklahoma State (9/11)
SMU at TCU (9/25)
BIG SKY (0-1)
UC Davis 19, Tulsa 17 (9/2)
BIG SOUTH (0-0)
Charleston Southern at East Carolina (9/25)
BIG TEN (0-1)
Rutgers 61, Temple 14 (9/4)
Cincinnati at Indiana (9/18)
Tulsa at Ohio State (9/18)
CONFERENCE USA (0-1)
Marshall 49, Navy 7 (9/4)
Houston at Rice (9/11)
North Texas at SMU (9/11)
SMU at Louisiana Tech (9/18)
East Carolina at Marshall (9/18)
UTSA at Memphis (9/25)
UAB at Tulane (9/25)
MID-AMERICAN (1-0)
Cincinnati 49, Miami (Ohio) 14 (9/4)
Temple at Akron (9/11)
MID-EASTERN (0-0)
Morgan State at Tulane (9/11)
MOUNTAIN WEST (1-0)
UCF 36, Boise State 31 (9/2)
Air Force at Navy (9/11)
NORTHEAST (0-0)
Wagner at Temple (9/25)
OHIO VALLEY (0-0)
Murray State at Cincinnati (9/11)
SOUTHEASTERN (0-0)
South Carolina at East Carolina (9/11)
Florida at South Florida (9/11)
Mississippi State at Memphis (9/18)
Tulane at Ole Miss (9/18)
SOUTHLAND (1-0)
Memphis 42, Nicholls 17 (9/4)
SOUTHWESTERN (0-0)
Bethune-Cookman at UCF (9/11)
Grambling State at Houston (9/18)
Florida A&M at South Florida (9/18)
SUN BELT (0-1)
Appalachian State 33, East Carolina 19 (9/2)
Memphis at Arkansas State (9/11)
Arkansas State at Tulsa (9/25)
WESTERN ATHLETIC (1-0)
SMU 56, Abilene Christian 9 (9/2)
INDEPENDENTS (0-0)
South Florida at BYU (9/25)
Cincinnati at Notre Dame (10/2)
Navy at Notre Dame (11/6)
UConn at UCF (11/20)
Houston at UConn (11/27)
Navy vs. Army (12/11)
TOTAL NONCONFERENCE RECORDS
All Games …………………………………………………..4-7
FBS Opponents ………………………………………..2-6
FCS Opponents………………………………………….2-1
AP Top 25 …………………………………………………..0-1
USA Today Top 25…………………………………….0-1
Bowl Games……………………………………………..0-0
