UPCOMING SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
North Texas at SMU * Time: 9 p.m.
Series: SMU leads, 35-6-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 3, 2022 (SMU, 48-10)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Temple at South Florida * Time: Noon
Series: Temple leads, 6-3
Last Meeting: Nov. 5, 2022 (Temple, 54-28)
Tulsa at Tulane * Time: Noon
Series: Tulsa leads, 13-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 5, 2022 (Tulsa, 27-13)
Memphis at Charlotte * Time: 2 p.m.
Series: First meeting
UAB at Navy * Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: First meeting
East Carolina at Florida Atlantic * Time: 4 p.m.
Series: East Carolina leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 5, 2013 (East Carolina, 31-13)
Rice at UTSA * Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series: UTSA leads, 7-3
Last Meeting: Nov. 19, 2022 (UTSA, 41-7)
All times Eastern
WEEKLY HONORS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jacob Zeno • Jr. • QB • UAB
Zeno set UAB’s FBS program record by passing for 484 yards and five touchdowns in the Blazers’ 45-42 win against Florida Atlantic. The yardage and touchdowns totals were the most of any FBS player in Week 10 as he completed 29 of 35 passes. After throwing his fifth touchdown pass of the day — a 70-yard strike with 4:20 left — Zeno engineered the game-winning drive to set up the game-winning field goal. Zeno ranks second in The American in passing at 298.6 yards per game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nikhai Hill-Green • Jr. • LB • Charlotte
Hill-Green had a team-high 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup, in Charlotte’s 33-26 overtime win at Tulsa. His forced fumble late in the first half gave the 49ers a short field and set up Charlotte’s first touchdown. He delivered a key tackle for loss on third-and-1 in the final two minutes, allowing the 49ers to take a lead with 59 seconds left, while he added a pass breakup on Charlotte’s first defensive play in overtime to help clinch the win.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Collin Rogers • So. • K • SMU
Rogers scored 12 points, making three of his four field goal attempts and adding three PATs to help SMU to a 36-31 win at Rice, keeping the Mustangs unbeaten in American Athletic Conference play. Rogers first connected from 41 and 37 yards and delivered a clutch 51-yard field goal with 2:49 left in the fourth quarter to give the Mustangs a five-point lead.
HONOR ROLL
LaJohntay Wester • Jr. • WR • Florida Atlantic
Had 11 receptions for 219 yards and three touchdowns along with a rushing TD in a 45-42 loss at UAB.
Seth Henigan • Jr. • QB • Memphis
Completed 23 of 40 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns along with a rushing TD in a 59-50 win against South Florida.
Byrum Brown • RFr. • QB • South Florida
Went 31-for-39 for 357 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards in a 59-50 loss at Memphis.
E.J. Warner • So. • QB • Temple
Completed 27 of 33 passes for 402 yards and four touchdowns in a 32-18 win against Navy.
Kevorian Barnes • So. • RB • UTSA
Rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a 37-29 win at North Texas.
AMERICAN NOTEBOOK
Anytime, Anyplace
Through 10 weeks of the 2023 season, American Athletic Conference teams have played 10 games against teams ranked in this week’s Associated Press top 25, including six games against top-10 teams (Nos. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 10.
Battle Tested
Teams from The American have played three of the four teams that reached the 2022-23 College Football Playoff. East Carolina faced Michigan Sept. 2., while UAB visited Georgia and SMU was at TCU on Sept. 23.
To Be The Best …
American Athletic Conference teams have played the most challenging nonconference schedules of any FBS conference in 2023, based on opponents’ winning percentage. The cumulative record of The American’s nonconference FBS opponents is 219-233 (.485).
Nonconference FBS Opponent Winning Percentage – 2023
.485 American (219-233)
.472 Big Ten (166-186)
.465 Mountain West (186-214)
.461 MAC (182-213)
.460 Big 12 (149-175)
.438 Conference USA (121-155)
.411 ACC (168-241)
.409 SEC (142-205)
.409 Sun Belt (164-237)
.385 Pac-12 (107-171)
Road Sweet Road
Tulane has won nine consecutive road games, which ranks as the second-longest active streak nationally (Georgia- 13).
Fab Five
SMU is 5-0 in conference play for the first time since a 7-0 start in 1982, when the Mustangs finished 7-0-1 in the Southwest Conference
Triskaidekaphobia
UTSA has won its last 13 regular-season conference games. The Roadrunners have won 15-straight against conference opponents, including regular-season and postseason play.
Sweet November
UTSA is 11-1 in the month of November under head coach Jeff Traylor.
Twenty
Memphis has scored at least 20 points in 23 consecutive games, marking the longest active streak among FBS teams
Roaring Twenties
Tulane is 20-3 in the last two seasons. The Green Wave trails only Georgia (24) and Michigan (22) in total wins among FBS teams in the last two seasons.
Conference Call
UTSA is 27-3 in regular-season and postseason conference games under fourth-year head coach Jeff Traylor.
Dual Threat
Florida Atlantic WR LaJohntay Wester enters Week 11 as the national leader in both receptions per game (9.7) and punt return average (22.4 ypr).
TALKING POINTS
UAB 3-6, 2-3 American
Last: Defeated Florida Atlantic, 45-42
Next: Nov. 11 at Navy (CBSSN)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 452.0 …………………..6th
Total Defense………………………….426.1 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ……………………….30.8 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ……………………….38.1 …………………14th
• QB Jacob Zeno set UAB’s school record as an FBS program with 484 passing yards in the win against Florida Atlantic. Zeno completed 29 of 35 and threw five touchdown passes.
• The Blazers had 614 yards of offense against the Owls, surpassing 600 yards for the second time this season.
• WR Tejhaun Palmer had nine receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown against the Owls.
CHARLOTTE 3-6, 2-3 American
Last: Won at Tulsa, 33-26 (ot)
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Memphis (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 322.9 …………………12th
Total Defense…………………………353.0 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ………………………..16.8 …………………14th
Scoring Defense ………………………24.8 …………………..4th
• QB Trexler Ivey passed for 277 yards and a touchdown and scored the game-winning rushing TD in overtime to give Charlotte the win.
• WR Jarius Mack had seven receptions for 124 yards against the Golden Hurricane.
• Charlotte overcame a 17-0 first-half deficit against Tulsa. The 49ers scored 18 straight points on a rushing TD, three field goals and a safety.
EAST CAROLINA 1-8, 0-5 American
Last: Lost to Tulane, 13-10
Next: Nov. 11 at Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………… 277.1 …………………14th
Total Defense………………………… 355.8 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ………………………… 17.7 …………………13th
Scoring Defense ………………………24.8 …………………..4th
• East Carolina took an early 10-0 lead against No. 21 Tulane, but the Pirates were kept off the scoreboard for the final three quarters.
• The Pirates were limited to 190 yards of offense and 10 first downs against the Green Wave.
• DE D’Anta Johnson registered two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss against Tulane.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 4-5, 3-2 American
Last: Lost at UAB, 45-42
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Charlotte (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….364.9 …………………..9th
Total Defense…………………………..414.7 …………………..8th
Scoring Offense …………………………27.7 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 26.2 ………………….. 7th
• Florida Atlantic erased a 21-point second-half deficit but was unable to hold off UAB down the stretch.
• WR LaJohntay Wester set a program record with 219 receiving yards on 11 catches. Wester scored four touchdowns (three receiving, one rushing).
• Wester is the NCAA leader in receptions (9.7 rpg) and punt returns (22.4 ypr).
MEMPHIS 7-2, 4-1 American
Last: Defeated South Florida, 59-50
Next: Nov. 11 at Charlotte (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 454.8 …………………..3rd
Total Defense…………………………..417.3 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ……………………….39.2 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ……………………….27.9 …………………..9th
• QB Seth Henigan passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing TD to lead the Tigers past South Florida.
• WR Roc Taylor (159 yards) and WR Demeer Blankumsee (142) both surpassed the 100-yard mark against the Bulls.
• Memphis has scored at least 20 points in 23 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak nationally
NAVY 3-5, 2-3 American
Last: Lost at Temple, 32-18
Next: Nov. 11 vs. UAB (CBSSN)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….300.3 …………………13th
Total Defense………………………….373.5 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………..18.3 …………………12th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 23.4 …………………..3rd
• Navy forced four turnovers and limited Temple to 46 rushing yards, but the Midshipmen fell on the road to the Owls.
• QB Xavier Arline made his first start of the season and rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
• The Midshipmen play their next two games at home, beginning with Saturday’s matchup against UAB.
NORTH TEXAS 3-6, 1-4 American
Last: Lost to UTSA, 37-29
Next: Nov. 10 at SMU (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 482.3 ……………………1st
Total Defense………………………….469.7 …………………14th
Scoring Offense ……………………….34.8 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ……………………….36.7 …………………12th
• QB Chandler Rogers passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but the Mean Green fell to UTSA.
• Rogers streak of consecutive passes without an interception ended at 288, which was the longest active streak among FBS players.
• RB Ayo Adeyi rushed for 105 yards on 17 carries against UTSA, turning in his fifth 100-yard game of the season.
RICE 4-5, 2-3 American
Last: Lost to SMU 36-31
Next: Nov. 11 at UTSA (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….383.0 …………………..8th
Total Defense…………………………403.3 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense ……………………….33.0 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………….28.7 …………………..9th
• QB JT Daniels passed for 81 yards and two first-half touchdowns but left the game due to a second-quarter injury and did not return.
• Freshman QB Chase Jenkins went 10-for-16 for 85 yards in the second half.
• Rice was outgained 484-290, was on the short end of a 28-13 discrepancy in first downs and committed three turnovers against SMU.
SOUTH FLORIDA 4-5, 2-3 American
Last: Lost at Memphis, 59-50
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Temple (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..453.7 …………………..4th
Total Defense………………………….459.2 …………………13th
Scoring Offense ……………………….30.4 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Defense ……………………….37.0 …………………13th
• QB Byrum Brown passed for 357 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for exactly 100 yards, but it wasn’t enough for the Bulls to keep pace with Memphis.
• Brown leads The American in total offense at 321.7 yards per game. He is seventh in the conference in passing and fifth in rushing.
• WR Sean Atkins has registered at least four catches in every game this season.
SMU 7-2, 5-0 American
Last: Won at Rice, 36-31
Next: Nov. 10 vs. North Texas (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 465.2 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense………………………….281.8 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense ……………………….40.0 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense ……………………….15.9 ……………………1st
• QB Preston Stone passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns and had 81 rushing yards to help keep SMU tied atop The American standings.
• DE Elijah Roberts had five tackles, including 2.5 sacks, with a forced fumble against Rice.
• SMU is 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1982, when the Mustangs started 7-0 in the Southwest Conference on their way to a 7-0-1 finish.
TEMPLE 3-6, 1-4 American
Last: Defeated Navy, 32-18
Next: Nov. 11 at South Florida (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….359.6 ………………….11th
Total Defense………………………… 433.3 ………………….11th
Scoring Offense ……………………….20.6 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………35.8 ………………….11th
• QB E.J. Warner passed for 402 yards and four touchdowns as the Owls snapped a five-game slide with the win against Navy.
• WR Zae Baines had seven receptions for a career-high 132 yards, turning in his first career 100-yard game.
• The Owls defeated Navy despite turning the ball over four times (two interceptions, two lost fumbles).
UTSA 6-3, 5-0 American
Last: Won at North Texas, 37-29
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Rice (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………410.7 …………………..6th
Total Defense…………………………380.3 …………………..6th
Scoring Offense ………………………..31.2 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 25.8 …………………..6th
• RB Kevorian Barnes rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries to lead the Roadrunners past North Texas.
• After not registering a takeaway in the first three games, UTSA has forced 15 turnovers in the last six.
• UTSA has won 13 consecutive regular-season conference games and is 27-3 against conference opponents under Jeff Traylor.
TULANE 8-1, 5-0 American
Last: Won at East Carolina, 13-10
Next: Nov. 11 vs. Tulsa (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………401.7 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense………………………….316.9 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ………………………..28.7 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.3 …………………. 2nd
• Tulane held East Carolina scoreless for the final three quarters as the Green Wave remained atop The American standings.
• Tulane is 20-3 in the last two seasons, marking the first time in program history that the Green Wave has registered 20 wins in a two-year span.
• RB Makhi Hughes rushed for 105 yards, turning in his fifth straight 100-yard game.
TULSA 3-6, 1-4 American
Last: Lost to Charlotte, 33-26 (ot)
Next: Nov. 11 at Tulane (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..363.1 …………………10th
Total Defense………………………….441.9 …………………12th
Scoring Offense ………………………..22.4 …………………10th
Scoring Defense ………………………35.6 …………………10th
• RB Anthony Watkins rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, but Tulsa was unable to hold on to an early 17-0 lead against Charlotte.
• Three Tulsa quarterbacks combined to complete only 13 of 31 passes for 139 yards against the 49ers.
• DE Ben Kopinski had nine tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss against Charlotte.
