THIS WEEK
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Tulane at Cincinnati *
Time: Noon
Series: Tulane leads, 11-7
Last Meeting: Oct. 30, 2021 (Cincinnati, 31-12)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
East Carolina at Temple *
Time: 1 p.m.
Series: East Carolina leads, 10-91
Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2021 (East Carolina, 45-3)
Memphis at SMU * or
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Series: Memphis leads, 10-4
Last Meeting: Nov. 6, 2021 (Memphis, 28-25)
UCF at South Florida *
Time: 7 p.m.
Series: UCF leads, 7-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 26, 2021 (UCF, 17-13)
Tulsa at Houston *
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Series: Houston leads, 26-19
Last Meeting: Oct. 1, 2021 (Houston, 45-10)
- American Athletic Conference game
All times Eastern
WEEKLY HONORS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Pratt • Jr. • QB • Tulane
Pratt figured in six touchdowns to lead Tulane to a 59-24 win against SMU, keeping the Green Wave tied for first place in the American Athletic Conference standings entering the final week of conference play. Pratt was an efficient 9-of-14 for 141 yards and three touchdowns and added 70 rushing yards on 10 carries with three TDs on the ground before coming out of the game with the Green Wave ahead 56-14. Pratt ranks second in The American in pass efficiency (157.29) and has thrown only four interceptions — the fewest of any starting quarterback in the conference.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
John Marshall • Sr. • LB/S • Navy
Marshall, who plays the striker position for Navy, set a school record with 4.0 sacks to go with 10 tackles and a forced fumble that set up the game-winning field goal in a 17-14 win at No. 17/18 UCF. Marshall had all four sacks in the second half as the Midshipmen held the Knights scoreless on their final five possessions. Marshall leads The American with a school-record 10.5 sacks in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Coe • Sr. • K • Cincinnati
Coe scored 11 points, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with two PATs in Cincinnati’s 23-3 win at Temple, keeping the Bearcats tied for first place in the conference standings. Coe was good from 28, 38 and 24 yards, extending his streak to nine straight successful field goal attempts and becoming the most accurate kicker in program history at 81.8%. Coe has hit 18 of 22 field goals this season, ranking second in The American in made field goals.
HONOR ROLL
Nathaniel Dell • Sr. • WR • Houston
Had nine receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown in a 42-3 win at East Carolina. Averaged 19.6 yards per reception.
Eddie Lewis • Sr. • WR • Memphis
Had 155 all-purpose yards with 2 touchdowns (one receiving, one punt return) in win against North Alabama.
Daba Fofana • So. • FB • Navy
Rushed for 114 yards on 20 carries in a 17-14 win at No. 17/18 UCF. Set up the Midshipmen’s first TD with a 46-yard run.
Byrum Brown • Fr. • QB • South Florida
Completed 21 of 25 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing TD against Tulsa in
his first career start. Completed 21 consecutive passes to start the game.
Deneric Prince • Sr. • RB • Tulsa
Rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in a 48-42 win against South Florida.
What’s At Stake
The winner of Friday’s game between Tulane and Cincinnati will host the American Athletic Conference Championship Game Dec. 3. The visiting team in the championship game — either Cincinnati, Tulane, UCF or Houston — will be determined following this week’s results.
Everyone Wins
Since the start of the 2014 season, all 11 American Athletic Conference teams have been ranked at least once in the Associated Press top 25 poll. The American, the ACC and the Big 12 are the only FBS conferences that have had each member ranked since 2014.
Conference Call
The American will finish the regular season with a combined 9-3 record against non-autonomous FBS conference opponents in 2022.
Rank And File
The American has three AP top-25 teams entering Week 13 (No. 19 Tulane, No. 21 Cincinnati, No. 25 UCF). The only other leagues with at least three ranked teams are the Pac-12 (six), the SEC (four), the Big Ten (three), the Big 12 (three) and the ACC (three).
Big Three
The American has three ranked teams for the 21st week since the conference’s formation in 2013.
Play On
The American Athletic Conference will have seven bowleligible teams in the 2022 season (UCF, Cincinnati, Tulane, East Carolina, SMU, Houston, Memphis).
Home Sweet Home
Cincinnati has won 32 consecutive games at Nippert Stadium, trailing only Clemson (40) for the nation’s longest active home field winning streak.
Road Sweet Road
Houston is 10-2 in its last 12 road games.
Top Of The Charts
East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers has set The American’s career passing yards and total offense records. Houston QB Clayton Tune holds the conference’s career record for touchdown passes.
Career Passing Yards
- 13,313 Holton Ahlers, East Carolina (2018-)
- 11,381 Clayton Tune, Houston (2018-)
- 10,782 Dane Evans, Tulsa (2014-16)
Career Total Offense
- 14,712 Holton Ahlers, East Carolina (2018-)
- 12,544 Clayton Tune, Houston (2018-)
- 12,418 Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (2018-21)
Career Touchdown Passes
- 99 Clayton Tune, Houston (2018-)
- 90 Brady White, Memphis (2018-20)
- 89 Holton Ahlers, East Carolina (2018-)
Leaderboard
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell’s 56 wins are a program record and the most by an American Athletic Conference coach since the league’s formation in 2013.
Catching On
The American Athletic Conference has three of the 12 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s top receiver — SMU WR Rashee Rice, Tulsa WR Keylon Stokes and Houston WR Nathaniel Dell. The American is the only conference with three Biletnikoff Award semifinalists.
Marshall Plan
Navy LB/S John Marshall set a school record with 4.0 sacks in the win at UCF. Marshall has a school-record and conference-leading 10.5 sacks this season.
Multi-Talented
Tulsa WR Keylon Stokes enters Saturday’s game against Houston with an American Athletic Conference-record 5,415 career all-purpose yards and 3,727 receiving yards (second).
Career All-Purpose Yards
- 5,270 Keylon Stokes, Tulsa (2018-)
- 5,320 Malcolm Perry, Navy (2016-19)
Career Receiving Yards
- 3,949 James Proche, SMU (2016-19)
- 3,727 Keylon Stokes, Tulsa (2018-)
Pencil It In
Memphis QB Seth Henigan has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all 22 games of his collegiate career.
Made The Cut
SMU QB Tanner Mordecai was chosen as one of 21 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top quarterback.
Flip The Field
Memphis P Joe Doyle is second nationally in punting average (46.9 yards), while Cincinnati P Mason Fletcher is third (46.8). Fletcher was chosen as one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter.
My Specialty
Memphis K Chris Howard is one of 20 semifinalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker.
21-Pass Salute
South Florida QB Byrum Brown made his first career start and completed his first 21 passes against Tulsa, with three touchdowns. His 21 completions to start the game were the most by an FBS player since Brent Stockstill of Middle Tennessee State completed 22 straight against
Alabama A&M in 2016.
Best Behavior
Navy is the least-penalized team in the nation. The Midshipmen average 3.5 penalties and 28.3 yards per game.
Any Way You Want It
Navy is 2-0 this season in games in which the Midshipmen have not completed a pass.
Line In The Sand
UCF ranks second nationally in red zone defense. The Knights have limited opponents to 65.9% effectiveness in the red zone.
Halfway There
Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace Jr. was chosen as an Midseason All-America selection by the Associated Press, Sporting News and The Athletic. SMU WR Rashee Rice was a second-team Midseason All-America choice of The Athletic.
Draft Cards
The American matched its best showing in the NFL Draft with 19 players selected in 2022. Two American players — Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner at No. 4 and Tulsa OT Tyler Smith at No. 24 — were chosen in the first round, while The American had 10 players taken in the first two days of the draft, surpassing the league’s previous high of six players.
Mark Your Calendars
Cincinnati’s selection to the CFP Semifinal in the 2021 season marked the seventh time in the nine-year history of The American that the league has had a team in a Bowl Championship Series or CFP New Year’s Six bowl.
The American in CFP/New Year’s Six Bowls
2013 UCF 52, Baylor 42 (Fiesta Bowl)
2015 Houston 38, Florida State 24 (Peach Bowl)
2017 UCF 34, Auburn 27 (Peach Bowl)
2018 LSU 40, UCF 32 (Fiesta Bowl)
2019 Penn State 53, Memphis 39 (Cotton Bowl)
2020 Georgia 24, Cincinnati 21 (Peach Bowl)
2021 Alabama 27, Cincinnati 6 (CFP Semifinal/Cotton Bowl)
TALKING POINTS
UCF
8-3, 5-2 American
@UCF_Football
Last: Lost to Navy, 17-14
Next: Nov. 26 at South Florida (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..481.0 …………………. 2nd
Total Defense………………………….354.4 …………………..3rd
Scoring Offense ……………………….33.9 …………………..5th
Scoring Defense ………………………. 19.7 …………………. 2nd
• UCF was limited to 314 yards of offense and only 84 rushing yards in the loss to Navy.
• QB John Rhys Plumlee passed for 107 yards before QB Mikey Keene threw for 123 yards and a touchdown in the second half against Navy.
• WR Javon Baker had six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Midshipmen.
• The Knights had possession for only 20:24 against Navy.
• UCF needs a win against South Florida to remain in contention for a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. The Knights hold head-to-head tiebreakers with both Cincinnati and Tulane in the event of a two-team tie for second place.
CINCINNATI
9-2, 6-1 American
@BearcatsFB
Last: Won at Temple, 23-3
Next: Nov. 25 vs. Tulane (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..397.8 …………………..8th
Total Defense………………………… 323.6 ……………………1st
Scoring Offense …………………………31.7 …………………..6th
Scoring Defense ………………………. 19.7 …………………. 2nd
• Two quarterbacks combined to throw for 257 yards and a touchdown in the win at Temple.
• QB Ben Bryant left the game in the first half with a foot injury and was replaced by QB Evan Prater, who went 12-for-17 for 127 yards.
• The Bearcats have won 32 consecutive games at Nippert Stadium, trailing only Clemson (40) for the nation’s longest home winning streak.
• The Bearcats held Temple to 1-for-11 efficiency on third down.
• A Cincinnati win against Tulane would put the Bearcats in The American Championship game for the fourth consecutive season and would mark the third straight championship game at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats have won the last two American titles.
EAST CAROLINA
6-5, 3-4 American
@ECUPiratesFB
Last: Lost to Houston, 42-3
Next: Nov. 26 at Temple (ESPN+)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..452.2 …………………..4th
Total Defense…………………………394.9 ………………….. 7th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 29.2 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 25.3 …………………..5th
• RB Keaton Mitchell rushed for 129 yards on 14 carries, but was the lone offensive highlight for the Pirates against Houston.
• Mitchell registered his fifth consecutive 100-yard game.
• QB Holton Ahlers had 182 passing yards against Houston, giving him 3,094 yards for the season.
It was Ahlers’ third consecutive 3,000-yard season.
• Mitchell is the first East Carolina player with consecutive 1,000-rushing-yard seasons since Tay Cooper in 2012 and 2013.
• The Pirates did not commit a penalty against Houston, finishing without a penalty for the first time since the 2012 New Orleans Bowl against Louisiana.
HOUSTON
7-4, 5-2 American
@UHCougarFB
Last: Won at East Carolina, 42-3
Next: Nov. 26 vs. Tulsa (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..459.7 …………………..3rd
Total Defense………………………… 429.9 …………………..9th
Scoring Offense ………………………..37.8 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Defense ……………………… 33.2 …………………..8th
• QB Clayton Tune went 32 of 44 for 435 yards and four touchdowns in the win at East Carolina.
• Tune extended his American Athletic Conference career record for touchdown passes (99).
• WR Nathaniel Dell had nine receptions for 176 yards and a touchdown against East Carolina, giving him 34 receptions and four TD catches in the last three games.
• Houston is 13-2 in its last 15 American Athletic Conference games.
• The Cougars have gone 10-2 in their last 12 road games.
MEMPHIS
6-5, 3-4 American
@TigersAthletics
Last: Defeated North Alabama, 59-0
Next: Nov. 26 at SMU (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..419.0 …………………..5th
Total Defense………………………….367.2 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 35.5 …………………..3rd
Scoring Defense ………………………26.8 …………………..6th
• QB Seth Henigan passed for 218 yards and a touchdown in the win against North Alabama.
• Henigan has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all 22 games of his collegiate career.
• Memphis did not allow North Alabama to cross its own 44-yard line.
• The Tigers gained bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive season with its sixth win of the season. Memphis has the ninth-longest active
bowl streak among NCAA FBS teams.
• Memphis registered its first shutout since a 63-0 win against SMU in the 2015 season.
NAVY
4-7, 4-4 American
@NavyAthletics
Last: Won at UCF, 17-14
Next: Dec. 10 vs. Army (CBS)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………..335.5 ………………….11th
Total Defense…………………………356.0 …………………..4th
Scoring Offense ………………………..22.4 …………………10th
Scoring Defense ……………………….24.7 …………………..5th
• FB Daba Fofana rushed for 114 yards on 20 carries as Navy picked up 248 rushing yards in the win at No. 17/18 UCF.
• LB John Marshall set a school record with 4.0 sacks against the Knights. Marshall also set Navy’s single-season record with 10.5 sacks
• Navy, which had 16 sacks last season, has set a program record with 32 sacks with one game remaining.
• The Midshipmen did not complete a pass in the win against UCF, marking the second time this season that Navy won without completing a pass (Temple).
• Navy has two weeks off to prepare for the annual Army-Navy game, which will be played in Philadelphia.
SOUTH FLORIDA
1-10, 0-7 American
@USFFootball
Last: Lost at Tulsa, 48-42
Next: Nov. 26 vs. UCF (ESPN2)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….386.6 …………………..9th
Total Defense………………………….513.8 ………………….11th
Scoring Offense ………………………..27.0 …………………..9th
Scoring Defense ………………………40.8 ………………….11th
• QB Byrum Brown completed 21 of 25 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start, but it wasn’t enough to push South Florida past Tulsa.
• Brown completed his first 21 passes against Tulsa, the most by an FBS player since Brent Stockstill of Middle Tennessee State completed 22 straight against Alabama A&M in 2016.
• RB Brian Battie rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown against Tulsa, giving him four consecutive 100-yard games.
• WR Sean Atkins had nine receptions for a career-high 115 yards and a touchdown against the Bulls.
• LB Dwayne Boyles had 11 tackles against Tulsa, giving him a career-high 101 stops in 2022.
SMU
6-5, 4-3 American
@SMU_Football
Last: Lost at Tulane, 59-24
Next: Nov. 26 vs. Memphis (ESPN2 or ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….484.9 ……………………1st
Total Defense…………………………446.6 …………………10th
Scoring Offense ……………………….38.8 ……………………1st
Scoring Defense ………………………35.0 …………………10th
• QB Tanner Mordecai threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns, but the Mustangs fell on the road against No. 21 Tulane.
• SMU was undone by five turnovers (two interceptions, three lost fumbles) against the Green Wave.
• Mordecai ranks second on SMU’s career touchdown passes chart (68), trailing only Ben Hicks’ total of 71 from 2016-18.
• LB Jimmy Philips Jr. would tie SMU’s career record for games played if he plays in the Mustangs’ regular-season finale and bowl game. That would tie Hayden Howerton (2017-21) with 59 career games.
• WR Rashee Rice has at least one reception in 29 career games, good for fourth among active players.
TEMPLE
3-8, 1-6 American
@Temple_FB
Last: Lost at Houston, 43-36
Next: Nov. 19 vs. East Carolina (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense…………………………. 342.9 …………………10th
Total Defense…………………………..377.2 …………………..5th
Scoring Offense ………………………..21.4 ………………….11th
Scoring Defense ……………………….27.9 …………………..6th
• Temple registered five sacks against Cincinnati, but the Bearcats were limited to three points and 202 yards on offense.
• The Owls lead The American with 37 sacks and have allowed the fewest sacks of any team in the conference (10).
• LB Layton Jordan had 2.5 sacks against Cinicnnati, giving him a team-high 9.0 sacks this season. Jordan ranks second among American Athletic Conference players.
• QB E.J. Warner passed for 167 yards and was 21-for-36, but was intercepted twice against Cincinnati.
• The Owls were 1-for-11 on third down against the Bearcats.
TULANE
9-2, 6-1 American
@GreenWaveFB
Last: Defeated SMU, 59-24
Next: Nov. 25 at Cincinnati (ABC)
American Ranks
Total Offense……………………………419.1 …………………..5th
Total Defense………………………….336.7 …………………. 2nd
Scoring Offense ………………………..35.1 …………………..4th
Scoring Defense ……………………….19.5 ……………………1st
• QB Michael Pratt figured in six touchdowns (three rushing, three passing) in Tulane’s win against SMU.
• RB Tyjae Spears rushed for 121 yards on 13 carries against SMU. Spears turned in his fifth consecutive game with at least 100 rushing yards.
• Tulane has six American Athletic Conference wins for the first time. The six conference wins are the most for the Green Wave since the 1998 team won six Conference USA games.
• Pratt moved into third place on Tulane’s career chart with his 61st career touchdown pass.
• The Green Wave would clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game with a win at Cincinnati.
TULSA
4-7, 2-5 American
@TulsaFootball
Last: Defeated South Florida, 48-42
Next: Nov. 26 at Houston (ESPNU)
American Ranks
Total Offense………………………….393.8 …………………..8th
Total Defense…………………………396.6 …………………..8th
Scoring Offense ………………………. 28.2 …………………..8th
Scoring Defense ……………………… 32.5 …………………..8th
• QB Braylon Braxton, making his second career start, passed for 302 yards and a touchdown and added two rushing TDs in the win against South Florida.
• Tulsa had a 300-yard passer (QB Braylon Braxton), a 200-yard rusher (RB Deneric Prince) and a 100-yard receiver (WR Keylon Stokes) in a game for the first time in program history in the win against South Florida.
• Stokes set The American’s career all-purpose yards record (5,415), passing former Navy QB Malcom Perry (5,320 yards).
• Stokes moved into second place on The American’s career receiving chart (3,727 yards).
• Stokes has registered seven 100-yard games this season.
