0
0
South Florida, UTSA, and Tulane deliver statement wins as contenders rise in the American Athletic Conference
Bulls Surge, Roadrunners Roll as Contenders Flex in Week 7
Week 7 in the American Athletic Conference didn’t disappoint. From packed stadiums to wild comebacks, the weekend brought a mix of fireworks and heartbreak as the conference’s heavyweights separated themselves from the field.
Biggest risers: USF, FAU, UTSA, Army (+1)
Biggest drop: Rice (–2)
Bulls Light Up Friday Night in Denton
Friday night lights in Denton were blazing, and South Florida brought the heat. The Bulls stormed into DATCU Stadium and absolutely overpowered previously unbeaten North Texas, 63–36, in a game that felt like a track meet from the opening kickoff.
More than 31,000 fans packed a stadium built for 30,850, and they got the offensive shootout they were promised. The first half was pure chaos — six touchdowns, six turnovers, and nearly 500 yards of combined offense. The game swung like a pendulum until USF tied it 21–21 on a short touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Jonathan Echols just before halftime.
Then came the onslaught. In the third quarter, USF turned the game into a clinic, ripping off touchdown drives of 75 and 86 yards while the defense added an interception return and a fumble recovery for scores. When the dust settled, South Florida had made a statement to the entire conference: this team isn’t sneaking up on anyone anymore.
Green Wave Escape as Pirates Push Late
Thursday night in New Orleans had all the tension of a playoff game. Tulane controlled most of the night but let East Carolina hang around just long enough to make things interesting before pulling away, 26–19.
The Green Wave’s offense kept stalling inside the red zone — four first-half field goals and a turnover on downs had the crowd restless. Then ECU found life, scoring 16 second-half points and briefly stealing the lead. But when it mattered most, Tulane’s playmakers delivered. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, including a dagger late in the fourth to seal the win and keep Tulane’s title hopes alive.
Roadrunners Reignite Championship Hopes
The Alamodome was rocking Saturday night as UTSA unleashed its best performance of the year, demolishing Rice 61–13. This was the Roadrunners team fans expected all along — fast, ruthless, and efficient.
UTSA scored five first-half touchdowns and never looked back. Coach Jeff Traylor’s squad showed a mix of swagger and discipline that was missing in earlier weeks. Quarterback play was sharp, the defense smothered Rice’s passing game, and the crowd fed off every big play.
Rice, to its credit, kept grinding behind running back Daelen Alexander’s 129 yards on 12 carries, but constant pressure and shaky quarterbacking doomed any comeback attempt. The Owls are improving, but Saturday night belonged entirely to the Roadrunners.
Owls Take Flight Behind Veltkamp’s Hot Hand
Florida Atlantic turned in one of its most complete games of the season, cruising past UAB 53–33. The Owls came out flying — literally — scoring touchdowns on five of their first six drives and building a 35–14 halftime lead that took the life out of the Blazers.
Quarterback Caden Veltkamp was surgical, going 20-for-30 for 297 yards and three touchdowns. Every throw seemed to find its mark, and his confidence spread to the rest of the offense. FAU’s defense also stepped up, holding UAB’s ground game to just 68 yards.
First-year coach Zach Kittley looks to be bringing his high-powered Texas Tech offense to life in Boca Raton, and fans are starting to believe this team can surprise people down the stretch.
Hellums Leads Black Knights Back to .500
It wasn’t flashy, but it was pure Army football. The Black Knights muscled their way to a 24–7 win over Charlotte at Michie Stadium, pounding the ball on the ground and dominating the trenches.
Junior quarterback Cale Hellums ran wild, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns. His 50-yard run on the opening drive brought the crowd to its feet and set the tone for the afternoon. By halftime, Army led 17–0 and never let up.
The second half got messy — a few missed field goals and fumbles kept the score from getting uglier — but the Black Knights found what they needed: rhythm, confidence, and an identity heading into next week’s big test at Tulane.
Navy Wins a Thriller as Temple Falls Just Short
If you love drama, this one had it all. In a game that came down to the final seconds, Navy rallied to beat Temple 32–31 in Philadelphia, surviving one of the most thrilling finishes of the season.
Down 31–24 with under a minute to go, quarterback Blake Horvath broke free on a 51-yard sprint straight up the middle for a touchdown that stunned the Temple sideline. But the Midshipmen didn’t play for overtime — they went for two, and Horvath found Alex Tezca falling across the goal line for the game-winning conversion.
Temple quarterback Evan Simon threw for 345 yards, and coach K.C. Keeler’s rebuild looks more legit every week. But on this night, Navy’s grit — and guts — made the difference.
Separation Saturday Defines the American
Week 7 drew a line in the sand across the American Athletic Conference. South Florida, Tulane, UTSA, and Navy look like the teams to beat, while others are fighting just to keep pace.
As the season’s second half kicks off, one thing is clear: this conference doesn’t lack storylines, firepower, or drama. And after a weekend like this, the race to the championship feels wide open.
WEEK 7 GSM AMERICAN INSIDER POWER RANKINGS
| Week 7 Power Rank | Team | Previous Rank | Rise/Fall |
| 1 | South Florida | 2 | +1 |
| 2 | Memphis | 1 | -1 |
| 3 | Tulane | 3 | – |
| 4 | Navy | 4 | – |
| 5 | North Texas | 5 | – |
| 6 | Temple | 6 | – |
| 7 | Florida Atlantic | 8 | +1 |
| 8 | East Carolina | 7 | -1 |
| 9 | UTSA | 10 | +1 |
| 10 | Army | 11 | +1 |
| 11 | Rice | 9 | -2 |
| 12 | Tulsa | 12 | – |
| 13 | UAB | 13 | – |
| 14 | Charlotte | 14 | – |
About the Author
