American Athletic Conference notes

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Through three weeks of the 2020 season, American Athletic Conference teams have a combined 7-3 record in nonconference games. The .700 winning percentage ranks second among FBS conferences, behind only the ACC (5-1, .833).

The American’s nonconference record includes a 3-0 mark against the Sun Belt Conference, a 1-1 mark against the ACC, a 1-0 record against Conference USA, an 0-1 showing against the Big 12 and independents, and a 2-0 ledger against NCAA FCS opponents.

Navy used a historic comeback to take an early lead in the American Athletic Conference regular season race Saturday to highlight the third week of the season.

At halftime of yesterday’s conference opener against Tulane, Navy trailed 24-0, had been outgained 291-59 and had only three first downs to the Green Wave’s 15. To that point of the season, Navy had been outscored 79-3 in its first two games. The Green Wave was on the verge of taking a 31-0 lead into the break, but Navy CB Cameron Kinley intercepted a pass at the 3-yard line just before halftime, giving the Midshipmen a bit of a spark heading into the locker room.

The second half turned out to be all Navy as the Midshipmen regrouped to outscore the Green Wave 27-0 through the final 30 minutes, capped by a 33-yard field goal by K Bijan Nichols at the final gun, giving Navy its only lead of the game as time expired. Nichols, who similarly hit a gamewinner against Tulane in last year’s matchup in Annapolis, capped the greatest come-from-behind win in Navy’s history in terms of the margin that was overcome.

UCF, which is 36-4 in its last 40 games, was impressive in its season-opener as the Knights rolled to a 49-21 win at Georgia Tech. QB Dillon Gabriel enjoyed a career day with 417 passing yards and four touchdowns to lead an offense that gained 660 yards as WR Marlon Williams (10 rec., 154 yards, 2 TD), and WR Jaylen Robinson (6 rec., 105 yards) both topped the century mark.

SMU improved to 2-0 as the Mustangs looked equally sharp offensively in a 65-35 victory at North Texas. The Mustangs finished with 710 yards of offense, good for fourth in program history, behind a 300-yard passer (QB Shane Buechele, 344 yards, 4 TD), a 200-yard rusher (RB Ulysses Bentley IV, 227 yards, 3 TD) and two 100-yard receivers (WR Reggie Roberson Jr., 9 rec., 103 yards, 2 TD; WR Rashee Rice, 5 rec., 102 yards, TD).

Cincinnati had no trouble scoring points in its season-opener as the Bearcats overwhelmed Austin Peay 55-20 for their 14th straight win at Nippert Stadium. RB Gerrid Doaks found the end zone four times (three rushing touchdowns, one TD catch), while QB Desmond Ridder was an efficient 13-of-19 for 196 yards and rushed for a team-high 57 yards on four carries.

The American’s two nonconference losses Saturday came on the road to nationally ranked teams. Tulsa took a 7-3 lead into the fourth quarter against No. 11/12 Oklahoma State, but the Cowboys rallied for a 16-7 victory in Stillwater. LB Zaven Collins led a stout Tulsa defense with two sacks and four tackles for loss as the Golden Hurricane registered six sacks and 18 tackles for loss collectively.

USF leveled its record at 1-1 after the Bulls ran into a strong Notre Dame squad in South Bend as the No. 7-ranked Fighting Irish took a 52-0 decision.

This week’s schedule has eight of The American’s 12 teams in action. East Carolina begins its season as the Pirates host UCF in the lone conference game of the week. Cincinnati will host Army in a battle of top-25 teams, while Houston gets its season underway with a matchup against North Texas at TDECU Stadium. SMU hosts Stephen F. Austin, while Tulane, Tulsa and USF take to the road for nonconference games.