The American Athletic Conference regular season concluded after 14 weeks of play. Thankfully, the conference had one more thrilling week to give to the college football world. Close games, offensive explosions, and even a College Football Playoff-altering upset composed the Week 14 slate.
Memphis Knocks Tulane Out of the Playoff
Memphis (10-2 overall, 6-2 in the AAC) shocked previously #17 Tulane (9-3, 7-1) in a game that could have substantially bolstered the Green Wave’s playoff resume. Coming into Thanksgiving night, the Green Wave had a path to take a playoff spot from the Big 12 champion, ranking above Colorado and BYU.
Memphis had other plans. Instead of Tulane RB Makhi Hughes showcasing his talents in front of the nation, Memphis’s Mario Anderson Jr. stole the show. Anderson carried the Tigers to a 34-24 win with 177 rushing yards and a touchdown to bring his yearly total to 1292 yards. The Memphis defense forced Tulane to the air early, holding Hughes to just 15 yards rushing on nine carries.
While the game meant nothing to the conference championship picture, the Tigers’ win not only killed Tulane’s chances of getting a playoff spot over the Big 12 champ, it also likely booted Tulane and the American from the Playoff picture entirely. The Mountain West Championship Game winner now has a direct path to the Playoff following Tulane’s loss.
Sights and Sounds from the win against Tulane Ⓜ️#GoTigersGo | @FirstHorizonBnk pic.twitter.com/GIQ8mqZgHj
— Memphis Tigers (@TigersAthletics) December 3, 2024
No Horvath, No Problem for Navy
After the Navy (8-3, 6-2) offense fell flat against Tulane on November 16th, Midshipmen fans eagerly awaited QB Blake Horvath’s return against East Carolina (7-5, 5-3). Unfortunately, Horvath missed another game, but backup Braxton Woodson filled in and had the best game of his young career.
After a scoreless first half, Navy exploded for 34 second-half points in a 34-20 win over the Pirates. Woodson threw for 165 yards and ran for 125 more while accounting for three touchdowns. His two touchdowns in the final three minutes sealed the game for the Mids.
Horvath and Navy now have two weeks to heal up ahead of the Army-Navy Game. However, Woodson’s performance proved the offense is in good hands if Horvath cannot start against Army.
Your @American_Conf All-Conference First Team!
— Navy Football (@NavyFB) December 3, 2024
🔹Rayuan Lane (Sr. ) – Safety
🔹Colin Ramos (Sr. ) – Linebacker
🔹Landon Robinson (Jr. ) – Defensive Line#GoNavy | #RollGoats pic.twitter.com/dsVgWG6XNI
North Texas Earns Bowl Eligibility
North Texas (6-6, 3-5) QB Chandler Morris had one of his worst games of the season, but surprisingly, his defense rose to the occasion in a 24-17 win over Temple (3-9, 2-6). A red zone interception with 13 seconds left sealed the game for North Texas and punched their ticket to a bowl game. Morris only had 180 passing yards, but RB Makenzie McGill II picked up the slack with 155 rushing yards. Despite the lackluster performance, Morris has a solid chance to become the second Mean Green quarterback to eclipse 4,000 yards and break Mason Fine’s season record of 4,052 yards given that he will lead his team in a bowl game. Morris will enter the bowl with 3,774 yards through the air.
🏈 @DentonMazda Play of the Week @MeanGreenFB seals the victory with a game-winning interception by @brian_nelson3!
— Mean Green Sports (@MeanGreenSports) December 3, 2024
The bowl game will be announced later, but you can request tickets now at: https://t.co/9Fmt9MJ9Ew#GMG 🟢🦅 pic.twitter.com/tWtvBgqX1F
Other Notes From Around the League
FAU (3-9, 1-7) embarrassed Tulsa (3-9, 1-7), 63-16, to end the season on a high note. The Owls had two running backs exceeding 100 yards, including Xavier Terrell, who took just two carries for 148 yards(!) and two touchdowns. Terrell had a 93-yard touchdown and a 55-yard score. Moreover, the Owls may have found next year’s starter in QB Tyriq Starks, who put up five touchdown passes.
A New Era Begins
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) December 3, 2024
Welcome to Paradise, Coach Kittley!🏝️@ZKittley
🔗 https://t.co/HO8ECoGapn pic.twitter.com/TrcVRqfDGk
QB E.J. Warner threw for 430 yards for Rice (4-8, 3-5) in a 35-28 upset win over USF (6-6, 4-4) to end the Owls’ season. The Owls defense then held the vaunted Bull running game to just 111 yards. Rice led by as much as 20 points at one point during this one.
Finally, UAB (3-9, 2-6) lost a 29-27 heartbreaker to Charlotte (5-7, 4-4). The Blazers missed a 35-yard field goal but received a second chance thanks to a personal foul. Alas, that second chance proved worthless as they missed the second field goal, a 27-yard kick, as time expired.
Go Army! Beat Tulane!!!
