We maybe didn’t see the craziest week of AAC Football this past weekend, but two teams earned spots in the conference championship game, and another earned bowl eligibility. With two weeks left in the season, most teams still have plenty at stake around the league.

Tulane’s Defense Punches Ticket to the AAC Championship

The biggest AAC game of the regular season turned out to be a disappointment. Tulane shut down Navy en route to a 35-0 victory. Midshipmen QB Blake Horvath departed the game early, completely derailing their offense. Navy gained just 113 yards on the day, including a mere 13 passing yards on three completions.

Notably, the Mids defense contained Green Wave RB Makhi Hughes, holding him to 82 yards and ending his streak of 100-yard games at five. However, freshman QB Darian Mensah picked up the slack, throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for 57 yards. That rushing total tripled Mensah’s seasonal rushing output.

The Green Wave clinched a spot in the AAC Championship Game, and now they look like a legitimate Playoff contender if Boise State loses another game. Meanwhile, Navy’s conference championship hopes ended, but they will likely play in the Military Bowl against a Power Four school from the ACC.

The Wave will meet Army in the @American_Conf Championship Game! #UptownFootball pic.twitter.com/Uaz2xK4bfz

— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) November 16, 2024

Multiple Teams Improve Their Bowl Prospects

East Carolina-Tulsa kicked off the conference’s week on Thursday and did not disappoint. East Carolina (6-4, 4-2 in the AAC) came in with momentum after dominant performances against Temple and FAU, but the Golden Hurricanes (3-7, 1-5 in the AAC) competed well. Tulsa led through most of the fourth quarter, until East Carolina stormed back with two touchdowns in the last five minutes to take the win, 38-31. Pirate RB Rahjai Harris’ rushed for 114 yards in a spectacular performance, while ECU QB Katin Houser threw for 314 yards through the air. Despite that impressive yardage total, Houser threw three interceptions, an issue that has haunted the Pirates all season.

After Rahjai Harris’ go-ahead 24-yard touchdown run with 2:07 remaining, Tulsa drove all the way back to the East Carolina two-yard line before the Pirates stopped a 4th down jet sweep with less than a minute remaining. With the win, ECU could potentially position itself to face a Power Four school during Bowl Season if they can finish the season with wins against North Texas and Navy in their final two games.

Later in the weekend, USF found its groove against Charlotte, running for 425 yards in a 59-24 win. The Bulls now stand just one game away from bowl eligibility and have eliminated the 49ers from postseason contention. Bulls RB Kelley Joiner rushed for 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just nine carries, while QB Bryce Archie ran for another 72 yards after entering the game with just four rushing yards all season. The Bulls now have two decidedly winnable games ahead against a pair of 3-7 squads, Tulsa and Rice.

UTSA’s blowout win over North Texas became arguably the biggest surprise of the weekend. The Roadrunners (5-5, 3-3 in the AAC) exploded for 681 yards of total offense in a 48-27 victory over the Mean Green (5-5, 2-4 in the AAC). UTSA QB Owen McCown continued his outstanding first year as a starter, putting up 379 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. Roadrunner RB Robert Henry ran for 168 yards, his first time exceeding the 100-yard mark.

With five wins and a game against Temple next week, the Roadrunners appear headed to a fifth straight bowl game. Meanwhile, North Texas has little to no chance of playing in a bowl against a Power Four team given the Mean Green’s record. North Texas hosts ECU this weekend before finishing at Temple.

🎳 @BowlSeason pic.twitter.com/sTsz1yiN6T

— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) November 15, 2024

Other Notes From Around the League

Memphis QB Seth Hennigan threw for four touchdowns, and RB Mario Anderson Jr. ran for 136 yards in the Tigers’ 53-18 win over hapless UAB. That performance put Anderson over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. 

Temple PK Maddox Trujillo kicked four field goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to give Temple a win over hapless FAU, 18-15. Nevertheless, Temple fired head coach Stan Drayton after the game.

Inspired by the 101st Airborne Division, we will honor the relentless fighting force of the #ScreamingEagles on Dec. 14 #GoArmy x #BeatNavy pic.twitter.com/XpOVQNrHW3

— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 18, 2024

Go Army! Beat Notre Dame!!!

Cover image via ECUPiratesFB.