UPCOMING SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Memphis at Temple *
Time: Noon
Series: Tied, 4-4
Last Meeting: Oct. 1, 2022 (Memphis, 24-3)
UTSA at Tulane *
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: UTSA leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2013 (UTSA, 10-7)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Navy at SMU *
Time: Noon
Series: Navy leads, 13-11
Last Meeting: Oct. 14, 2022 (SMU, 40-34)
Florida Atlantic at Rice *
Time: 1 p.m.
Series: Tied, 2-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 15, 2022 (Florida Atlantic, 17-14)
UAB at North Texas *
Time: 2 p.m.
Series: UAB leads, 6-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 12, 2022 (UAB, 41-21)
Tulsa at East Carolina *
Time: 2 p.m.
Series: Tied, 8-8
Last Meeting: Oct. 30, 2020 (Tulsa, 34-30)
Charlotte at South Florida *
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series: First meeting All times Eastern
WEEKLY HONORS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Frank Harris • Gr. • QB • UTSA
Harris turned in what might have been the best performance of his career in his final regular-season home game as he broke his own school record with 523 yards of total offense in a 49-21 win against South Florida. Harris completed 31 of 46 passes for 411 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 112 yards and three TDs on 10 carries. He became the 15th NCAA FBS player to pass for more than 400 yards and rush for more than 100 in the same game.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Colin Ramos • Jr. • LB • Navy
Ramos earns Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after he helped Navy to its FBS-leading third shutout of the season, a 10-0 win against East Carolina. Ramos registered his fourth straight game with double-figure tackles as he had 10 stops, with 1.5 tackles for loss as the Midshipmen held their opponent without a touchdown in back-to-back games. Ramos ranks second in The American with 8.8 tackles per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matt Quinn • Sr. • K • UAB
Quinn scored 10 points as he connected on a pair of field goals with four PATs in a 34-24 win against Temple. Quinn hit a 29-yard field goal at the first half gun, while his 26-yard kick with 6:33 left in the fourth quarter stood up as the game-winner. Quinn ranks ninth among all American Athletic Conference players in scoring at 6.1 points per game.
HONOR ROLL
Seth Henigan • Jr. • QB • Memphis
Completed 35 of 51 passes for 402 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-34 loss to SMU
Chandler Rogers • Jr. • QB • North Texas
Completed 19 of 31 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-28 win at Tulsa.
Dean Connors • Jr. • RB • Rice
Rushed for a career-high 184 yards on 19 carries in a 28-7 win at Charlotte.
Preston Stone • So. • QB • SMU
Completed 15 of 23 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns with a rushing TD in a 38-34 win at Memphis.
Michael Pratt • Jr. • QB • Tulane
Completed 21 of 28 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-8 win at Florida Atlantic. Became the school’s career passing leader (9,239 yards).
AMERICAN NOTEBOOK
Anytime, Anyplace
Through 12 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 six games against top-10 teams (Nos. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10).
Musical Chairs
For the first time in American Athletic Conference history, three teams enter the final week of regular-season play unbeaten in conference play as Tulane, SMU and UTSA all stand at 7-0 in league games.
Goose Eggs
The American is the only NCAA FBS conference with three unbeaten teams in conference play through Week 12 and is one of two conferences that will have two unbeaten teams in conference play against each other in the final week of the season (Big Ten – Ohio State vs. Michigan)
What’s The Scenario?
The participants in the 2023 American Athletic Conference Championship Game will be determined by the results of two games in Week 13. The winner of Friday’s matchup between UTSA and Tulane will clinch a spot, while SMU would clinch a spot with a win against Navy Saturday.
Tulane defeats UTSA; SMU defeats Navy
Tulane and SMU would meet in the Championship Game. The home team would be the team that is ranked highest in this Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings.
Tulane defeats UTSA; Navy defeats SMU
Tulane would host either SMU or UTSA in the Championship Game. The visiting team would be determined by an average of four computer ratings (Anderson & Hester, Colley, Massey, Wolfe) announced Sunday, Nov. 26.
UTSA defeats Tulane; SMU defeats Navy
UTSA and SMU would meet in the Championship Game. The home team would be the team that is ranked highest in this Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. If neither team is ranked, the home team would be determined by an average of four computer ratings (Anderson & Hester, Colley, Massey, Wolfe) announced Sunday, Nov. 26. UTSA defeats Tulane; Navy defeats SMU UTSA would host either SMU or Tulane in the Championship Game. The visiting team would be determined by an average of four computer ratings (Anderson & Hester, Colley, Massey, Wolfe) announced Sunday, Nov. 26.
Feeling 22
Tulane is 22-3 in the last two seasons. The Green Wave trails only Georgia (26) and Michigan (24) in total wins among FBS teams in the last two seasons.
Milestone
Tulane head coach Willie Fritz earned his 200th career victory as an NCAA head coach with the Green Wave’s 36-7 win against Nicholls Sept. 23. Fritz fifth among active FBS coaches in career wins.
Most Career Wins Among Active NCAA FBS Head Coaches
290 Nick Saban, Alabama
282 Mack Brown, North Carolina
281 Brian Kelly, LSU
261 K.C. Keeler, Sam Houston
207 Willie Fritz, Tulane Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
Road Sweet Road
Tulane has won 10 consecutive road games, which ranks as the third-longest active streak nationally (Georgia – 14, Michigan – 11).
So Far, So Good
SMU is 7-0 in conference play for the first time since 1982, when the Mustangs finished 7-0-1 in the Southwest Conference.
The Company We Keep
SMU is one of only two teams nationally (No. 1 Georgia is the other) to rank in the top 15 nationally in total offense (10th), scoring offense (sixth), total defense (14th) and scoring defense (15th).
Streaking
UTSA has won its last 15 regular-season conference games. The Roadrunners have won 17 straight against conference opponents, including regular-season and postseason play.
Sweet November
UTSA is 13-1 in the month of November under head coach Jeff Traylor.
Conference Call
UTSA is 29-3 in regular-season and postseason conference games under fourth-year head coach Jeff Traylor.
Twenty
Memphis has scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive games, marking the longest active streak among FBS teams
Dual Threat
Florida Atlantic WR LaJohntay Wester enters the final week of the regular season as the national leader in both receptions per game (9.5).
New Era, Same Power
The American Athletic Conference is in its first season under its new 14-team configuration in 2023. The American’s six new members are UAB, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice and UTSA.
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.
The Champs Are Here
The American is the only FBS conference that has two conference champions from last season among its membership. Tulane won the 2022 American title, while UTSA won the Conference USA crown.
TALKING POINTS
UAB 4-7, 3-4 American
Last: Defeated Temple, 34-24
Next: Nov. 25 at North Texas (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….444.9 …………………..5th
Total Defense………………………….416.0 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ……………………….28.8 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Defense ………………………36.2 …………………12th
• RB Jermaine Brown Jr. rushed for a career-high 153 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries in the win against Temple.
• QB Jacob Zeno went 20-for-28 for 246 yards and a touchdown against the Owls.
• UAB went 4-2 at Protective Satdium and has gone 12-5 all-time at its home facility. The Blazers are 33-6 in Birmingham since the reinstatement of the program in 2017.
CHARLOTTE 3-8, 2-5 American
Last: Lost to Rice, 28-7
Next: Nov. 25 at South Florida (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………314.1 …………………12th
Total Defense………………………… 362.4 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense …………………………17.8 …………………13th
Scoring Defense ………………………26.8 ………………….. 7th
• The 49ers were limited to 158 yards of offense and 11 first downs in the loss to Rice.
• Charlotte’s defense had two interceptions against Rice, giving the 49ers at least one interception in each of the last four games.
• Charlotte closes its regular season Saturday at South Florida.
EAST CAROLINA 2-9, 1-6 American
Last: Lost at Navy, 10-0
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Tulsa (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 265.3 …………………14th
Total Defense………………………….331.8 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ………………………..16.5 …………………14th
Scoring Defense ……………………….21.8 …………………..4th
• East Carolina was limited to 189 yards of offense and nine first downs in the shutout loss at Navy.
• QB Alex Flinn completed 24 of 38 passes for 155 yards and was intercepted twice against the Midshipmen.
• East Carolina hosts Tulsa Saturday in the season-finale for both teams.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC 4-7, 3-4 American
Last: Lost to Tulane, 24-8
Next: Nov. 25 at Rice (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..335.5 ………………….11th
Total Defense………………………….391.2 …………………..8th
Scoring Offense ……………………….24.0 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 25.6 …………………..6th
• QB Daniel Richardson went 24-for-31 for 202 yards and a touchdown, but the Owls were unable to hand Tulane its first conference loss.
• WR LaJohntay Wester had 11 receptions for 86 yards against Tulane. Wester remains the NCAA leader in receptions (9.5 per game).
• Wester became the first player in program history to register 100 receptions in a season (104).
NORTH TEXAS 4-7, 2-5 American
Last: Won at Tulsa, 35-28
Next: Nov. 25 vs. UAB (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 482.4 ……………………1st
Total Defense………………………….473.9 …………………14th
Scoring Offense ……………………….33.6 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ………………………36.6 …………………13th
• QB Chandler Rogers passed for 294 yards and three touchdowns as North Texas ended a four-game slide with the win at Tulsa.
• Rogers has thrown at least two touchdown passes in nine games this season, including eight of his nine starts.
• North Texas has gone 4-0 when leading after three quarters and 0-7 when trailing after the third quarter.
MEMPHIS 8-3, 5-2 American
Last: Lost to SMU, 38-34
Next: Nov. 24 at Temple (ESPN)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..453.4 …………………..3rd
Total Defense…………………………..417.4 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ……………………….39.2 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ………………………29.8 …………………..9th
• QB Seth Henigan completed 35 of 51 passes for 402 yards and two touchdowns, but the Tigers were unable to hold off SMU.
• WR Roc Taylor (146 yards) and WR DeMeer Blankumsee (114 yards) both surpassed 100 yards against the Mustangs.
• Henigan became the fourth player in program history to surpass 10,000 career yards (10,159) as he had his fifth career 400-yard game.
RICE 5-6, 3-4 American
Last: Won at Charlotte, 28-7
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..368.7 …………………..9th
Total Defense………………………….378.4 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense ……………………….30.8 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ………………………. 27.2 …………………..8th
• RB Dean Connors rushed for a career-high 184 yards on 19 carries to help Rice past Charlotte.
• QB JT Daniels missed his second consecutive game as he remained in concussion protocol. QB AJ Padgett went 13-for-21 for 140 yards and figured in three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing).
• The Owls would gain bowl eligibility with a win against Florida Atlantic Saturday.
NAVY 5-5, 4-3 American
Last: Defeated East Carolina, 10-0
Next: Nov. 25 at SMU (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..304.1 …………………13th
Total Defense…………………………349.8 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ……………………….. 18.7 …………………12th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.3 …………………..3rd
• Navy registered its third shutout of the 2023 season with the victory against East Carolina.
• The Midshipmen have held four teams without a touchdown this season (Wagner, Charlotte, UAB, East Carolina). Navy is the only team nationally with three shutouts this season.
• The Midshipmen have won their last 68 games when leading after three quarters, marking the longest active streak nationally.
SOUTH FLORIDA 5-6, 3-4 American
Last: Lost at UTSA, 49-21
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Charlotte (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..451.0 …………………..4th
Total Defense…………………………469.6 …………………13th
Scoring Offense ……………………….29.3 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ………………………36.8 …………………14th
• QB Byrum Brown passed for 287 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing TD, but the Bulls were unable to keep pace with UTSA.
• WR Sean Atkins had nine receptions for 92 yards against UTSA, giving him school records with 76 catches and 900 yards on the season.
• The Bulls need a win against Charlotte in the regular-season finale to gain bowl eligibility
SMU 9-2, 7-0 American
Last: Won at Memphis, 38-34
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Navy (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..470.6 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense…………………………306.6 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense ……………………….40.3 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense ……………………….18.0 ……………………1st
• QB Preston Stone went 15-of-23 for 286 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing TD to keep SMU atop The American standings with the win at Memphis.
• SMU is 7-0 in conference play for the first time since 1982, when the Mustangs finished 7-0-1 in the Southwest Conference.
• SMU would clinch a spot in The American Championship Game with a win against Navy.
TEMPLE 3-8, 1-6 American
Last: Lost at UAB, 34-24
Next: Nov. 24 vs. Memphis (ESPN)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….363.9 …………………10th
Total Defense………………………….441.5 ………………….11th
Scoring Offense …………………………21.1 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………34.8 ………………….11th
• QB E.J. Warner passed for 323 yards and two touchdowns, but the Owls were unable to get past UAB.
• WR Dante Wright had six receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown against the Blazers.
• TE David Martin-Robinson had three receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown and finished the game with 90 career receptions — the most by a tight end in program history.
UTSA 8-3, 7-0 American
Last: Defeated South Florida, 49-21
Next: Nov. 25 at Tulane (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..429.1 …………………..6th
Total Defense………………………….370.8 …………………..6th
Scoring Offense ………………………..33.1 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 24.3 …………………..5th
• QB Frank Harris had a school-record 523 yards of total offense and became the 15th NCAA FBS player to have 400 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a game to lead UTSA past South Florida.
• The Roadrunners set a program record with 643 yards of offense against the Bulls.
• UTSA would clinch a spot in The American Championship Game with a win at Tulane Friday.
TULSA 3-8, 1-6 American
Last: Lost to North Texas, 35-28
Next: Nov. 25 at East Carolina (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..379.9 …………………..8th
Total Defense………………………….447.9 …………………12th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 22.9 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ………………………34.5 …………………10th
• Freshman QB Kirk Francis passed for 251 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, but the Golden Hurricane fell at home to North Texas.
• RB Anthony Watkins rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries for his second 100- yard game of the season.
• DE Ben Kopenski led Tulsa’s defense with three sacks and seven total tackles.
TULANE 10-1, 7-0 American
Last: Won at Florida Atlantic, 24-8
Next: Nov. 25 vs. UTSA (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..391.6 ………………….. 7th
Total Defense………………………… 323.9 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ………………………..27.8 …………………10th
Scoring Defense ……………………….18.6 …………………. 2nd
• QB Michael Pratt passed for 252 yards and three touchdowns and became Tulane’s career passing leader in the win at Florida Atlantic.
• Pratt finished the game with 9,239 career passing yards, passing Patrick Ramsey (9,205) for the school mark.
• Tulane has registered back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in program history.
