UPCOMING SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
South Florida at UTSA *
Time: 9 p.m.
Series: First meeting
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
East Carolina at Navy *
Time: Noon
Series: Navy leads, 8-2
Last Meeting: Sept. 24, 2022 (Navy, 23-20)
Tulane at Florida Atlantic *
Time: Noon
Series: Tulsa leads, 13-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 5, 2022 (Tulsa, 27-13)
SMU at Memphis *
Time: Noon
Series: Memphis leads, 10-5
Last Meeting: Nov. 26, 2022 (SMU, 34-31)
Rice at Charlotte *
Time: 2 p.m.
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 29, 2022 (Charlotte, 56-23)
Temple at UAB *
Time: 3 p.m.
Series: First meeting
North Texas at Tulsa *
Time: 3 p.m.
Series: Tulsa leads, 17-7
Last Meeting: Nov. 30, 2013 (North Texas, 42-10)
All times Eastern
WEEKLY HONORS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Seth Henigan • Jr. • QB • Memphis
Henigan led Memphis to a 44-38 overtime win at Charlotte to help the Tigers remain a game out of first place in the American Athletic Conference standings. He completed 32 of 48 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns, including a key fourth-quarter TD with 5:25 left to bring Memphis within three. He then went 6-for-9 for 46 yards on the ensuing drive to set up the game-tying field goal. Henigan registered the 16th 300-yard game of his career.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Colin Ramos • Jr. • LB • Navy
Ramos led a defense that limited UAB to two field goals as the Midshipmen took a 31-6 win in Annapolis. Ramos had a game-high 12 tackles with a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry to help protect a lead that was 10-6 into the fourth quarter as the Navy defense held their third opponent of the season without a touchdown. Ramos ranks second in The American in tackles at 8.3 stops per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Andrew Conrad • So. • K • East Carolina
Conrad tied an NCAA record by becoming the third FBS player in history to make five field goals of 40 or more yards in a game as he led East Carolina to a 22-7 win at Florida Atlantic. Conrad went 5-for-5, connecting from 46, 47, 43, 46 and 40 yards, and scored 16 points. Conrad’s five field goals rank second on The American’s single-game chart.
HONOR ROLL
Hahsaun Wilson • So. • RB • Charlotte
Rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in a 44-38 overtime loss to Memphis.
Byrum Brown • RFr. • QB • South Florida
Completed 18 of 27 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown with a rushing TD in a 27-23 win against Temple.
Jaylan Knighton • Sr. • RB • SMU
Rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in a 45-21 win against North Texas.
Makhi Hughes • RFr. • RB • Tulane
Rushed for 131 yards and a TD on 19 carries in a 24-22 win against Tulsa; sixth straight 100-yard game.
Kirk Francis • Fr. • QB • Tulsa
Completed 22 of 34 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown in a 24-22 loss at No. 20 Tulane.
AMERICAN NOTEBOOK
Anytime, Anyplace
Through 11 weeks of the 2023 season, American Athletic Conference teams have played 11 games against teams ranked in this week’s Associated Press top 25, including five games against top-10 teams (Nos. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8).
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.
Road Sweet Road
Tulane has won nine consecutive road games, which ranks as the second-longest active streak nationally (Georgia- 13).
So Far, So Good
SMU is 6-0 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.
Streaking
UTSA has won its last 14 regular-season conference games. The Roadrunners have won 16 straight against conference opponents, including regular-season and postseason play.
Sweet November
UTSA is 12-1 in the month of November under head coach Jeff Traylor.
Twenty
Memphis has scored at least 20 points in 24 consecutive games, marking the longest active streak among FBS teams
Twenty-One
Tulane is 21-3 in the last two seasons. The Green Wave trails only Georgia (25) and Michigan (23) in total wins among FBS teams in the last two seasons.
Conference Call
UTSA is 28-3 in regular-season and postseason conference games under fourth-year head coach Jeff Traylor.
Dual Threat
Florida Atlantic WR LaJohntay Wester enters Week 12 as the national leader in both receptions per game (9.3) and punt return average (22.4 ypr).
One And Only
The American Athletic Conference is the only conference that has a 2023 New Year’s Six bowl winner (Tulane) and an NCAA Men’s Final Four participant (Florida Atlantic) in its ranks for the 2023-24 academic year.
TALKING POINTS
UAB 3-7, 2-4 American
Last: Lost at Navy, 31-6
Next: Nov. 18 vs Temple (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….438.9 …………………..5th
Total Defense………………………….419.8 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ……………………….28.3 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Defense ……………………….37.4 …………………13th
• UAB saw Navy score the final 21 points of the game as the Blazers fell in Annapolis.
• QB Jacob Zeno went 25-for-36 for 206 yards and was intercepted twice by the Navy defense.
• UAB, which gained 614 yards in the previous week’s game against Florida Atlantic, was limited to 321 yards of offense against Navy.
CHARLOTTE 3-7, 2-4 American
Last: Lost to Memphis, 44-30 (ot)
Next: Nov. 18 vs. Rice (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..329.7 …………………12th
Total Defense………………………….360.7 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ………………………..18.9 …………………13th
Scoring Defense ……………………….26.7 ………………….. 7th
• RB Hahsaun Wilson, who had one career carry entering the game, rushed for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in the overtime loss to Memphis.
• The 49ers held a 38-28 lead late in the fourth quarter, but saw the Tigers score 17 unanswered points to get the win.
• LB Demetrius Knight II had 11 tackles and a 27-yard interception return against Memphis.
EAST CAROLINA 2-8, 1-5 American
Last: Won at Florida Atlantic, 22-7
Next: Nov. 18 at Navy (ESPNews)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..272.9 …………………14th
Total Defense………………………….337.4 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ……………………….. 18.1 …………………14th
Scoring Defense ………………………23.0 …………………..4th
• K Andrew Conrad tied an NCAA record by making five field goals of at least 40 yards to lead the Pirates past Florida Atlantic.
• Conrad became just the third player in NCAA history with five field goals of 40 or more yards in a game.
• The Pirates limited Florida Atlantic to 172 yards of offense, including 21 rushing yards.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 4-6, 3-3 American
Last: Lost to East Carolina, 22-7
Next: Nov. 18 vs. Tulane (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 345.6 ………………….11th
Total Defense………………………….396.7 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 25.6 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 25.8 …………………..6th
• Florida Atlantic was limited to 172 total yards and 21 rushing yards in the loss to East Carolina.
• WR LaJohntay Wester was limited to six receptions for 38 yards against the Pirates.
• Wester remains the NCAA leader in receptions (9.3 per game) and punt returns (22.4 yards per return).
NORTH TEXAS 3-7, 1-5 American
Last: Lost at SMU, 45-21
Next: Nov. 18 at Tulsa (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………471.3 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense…………………………..477.9 …………………14th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 33.4 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ……………………….37.5 …………………14th
• QB Chandler Rogers passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns, but the Mean Green fell on the road to SMU
• Rogers has thrown at least two touchdown passes in eight games this season, including seven of his eight starts.
• The Mean Green was outscored 28-7 against the Mustangs and was held to 372 yards of offense – its fewest since the season-opener.
MEMPHIS 8-2, 5-1 American
Last: Won at Charlotte, 44-30 (ot)
Next: Nov. 18 vs. SMU (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..452.3 …………………..4th
Total Defense…………………………..414.7 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ………………………..39.7 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ………………………28.9 …………………..9th
• Memphis trailed Charlotte by 10 points with less than eight minutes left in regulation, but the Tigers rallied for the overtime win.
• QB Seth Henigan completed 32 of 48 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers.
• LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku had 12 tackles, a sack an interception and a pass breakup against Charlotte.
RICE 4-6, 2-4 American
Last: Lost at UTSA, 34-14
Next: Nov. 18 at Charlotte (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..367.6 …………………..9th
Total Defense…………………………400.4 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense …………………………31.1 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 29.2 …………………..9th
• Rice was limited to 229 yards of offense in the loss to UTSA.
• QB JT Daniels did not play against the Roadrunners as he remained in concussion protocol. QB AJ Padgett made his first start of the season.
• WR Luke McCaffrey led all players with six receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown against UTSA.
NAVY 4-5, 3-3 American
Last: Defeated UAB, 31-6
Next: Nov. 18 vs. East Carolina (ESPNews)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..307.2 …………………13th
Total Defense…………………………..367.7 …………………..6th
Scoring Offense ……………………….. 19.7 …………………12th
Scoring Defense ……………………….21.4 …………………..3rd
• QB Xavier Arline rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown and added a TD pass to lead Navy past UAB.
• The Midshipmen limited the Blazers to 321 yards of offense and two field goals.
• Navy has held three of its nine opponents without a touchdown (Wagner, Charlotte, UAB).
SOUTH FLORIDA 5-5, 3-3 American
Last: Beat Temple, 27-24
Next: Nov. 17 at UTSA (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..453.4 …………………..3rd
Total Defense………………………….452.2 …………………13th
Scoring Offense ………………………..30.1 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ………………………35.6 …………………12th
• QB Byrum Brown passed for 316 yards and a touchdown, registering his fourth 300-yard game of the season, in the win against Temple.
• WR Sean Atkins had nine receptions for a career-high 169 yards and set a program record with 69 receptions this season.
• CB Aamaris Brown had two interceptions against the Owls as South Florida had four takeaways.
SMU 8-2, 6-0 American
Last: Defeated North Texas, 45-21
Next: Nov. 18 at Memphis (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..473.2 ……………………1st
Total Defense…………………………290.8 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense ……………………….40.5 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense ……………………….16.4 ……………………1st
• RB Jaylan Knighton rushed for a game-high 129 yards and a touchdown to lead SMU in the win against North Texas.
• SMU is 6-0 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.
• The Mustangs have won seven consecutive home games and are 23-4 at home since 2019.
TEMPLE 3-7, 1-5 American
Last: Lost at South Florida, 27-24
Next: Nov. 18 at UAB (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 362.5 …………………10th
Total Defense………………………….435.1 …………………12th
Scoring Offense ……………………….20.8 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………34.9 ………………….11th
• QB E.J. Warner passed for 280 yards and three touchdowns, but the Owls were unable to get past South Florida.
• TE David Martin-Robinson had seven receptions for 102 yards against the Bulls.
• LB Yvandy Rigby tied his career high with 16 tackles against South Florida. S Alex Odom registered a career-best with 12 stops.
UTSA 7-3, 6-0 American
Last: Defeated Rice, 34-14
Next: Nov. 17 vs. South Florida (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………407.7 …………………..6th
Total Defense………………………… 365.2 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………..31.5 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 24.6 …………………..5th
• Tulsa’s defense registered six sacks and had 10 tackles for loss to lead the Roadrunners past Rice.
• LB Trey Moore had two sacks, giving him 14 for the season and leaving him a half-sack shy of the American Athletic Conference singleseason record of 14.5 sacks.
• UTSA has won 14 consecutive regular-season conference games.
TULSA 3-7, 1-5 American
Last: Lost at Tulane, 24-22
Next: Nov. 18 vs. North Texas (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..374.5 …………………..8th
Total Defense………………………….433.4 ………………….11th
Scoring Offense ………………………..22.4 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 34.4 …………………10th
• Freshman QB Kirk Francis came off the bench to complete 22 of 34 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown as the Golden Hurricane nearly stunned No. 20 Tulane.
• Tulsa had two 100-yard receivers as WR Kamdyn Benjamin had eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, while WR Carl Chester had five receptions for 132 yards.
• Tulsa fell to 0-3 against top-25 teams.
TULANE 9-1, 6-0 American
Last: Defeated Tulsa, 24-22
Next: Nov. 18 at Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..397.2 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense………………………… 332.9 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ………………………. 28.2 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.6 …………………. 2nd
• RB Makhi Hughes rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown in the win against Tulsa. Hughes turned in his sixth straight 100-yard game.
• Tulane is 21-3 in the last two seasons. The 21 wins trail only Georgia (25) and Michigan (23) nationally since the start of the 2022 season.
• Tulane has won its last three games by a combined seven points.
