This season, a record nine American Conference teams played during the bowl season, with Tulane in the College Football Playoff and eight other schools competing in bowl games. The American went 5-4 in these games.
Here is a look at those teams:
Tulane
Event: College Football Playoff first round
Outcome: Ole Miss, 41, Tulane 10
Final Record: 11-3
Analysis: The Green Wave were never really in the game, which was the final one for head coach Jon Sumrall, who is now the head coach at Florida. Patrick Durkin hit a field goal early in the second quarter to cut Ole Miss’ lead to 14-3, and the Green Wave would get no closer. They scored the final points of the game on Justyn Reid’s 29-yard TD reception from Jake Retzlaff late in the fourth quarter.
Tulane standout: Shazz Preston had five receptions for 125 yards.
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South Florida
Event: Cure Bowl
Outcome: Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10
Final Record: 9-4
Analysis: USF was without four offensive starters, including quarterback Byrum Brown, and it showed. The Bulls led 10-7 at halftime before being shutout during the final two quarters. USF rushed for just 55 yards compared to 255 yards for the Monarchs. The key was in the turnover department. USF committed five, including four interceptions, while ODU committed just one.
USF standout: Linebacker Jhalyn Shuler recorded 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss, to finish with a team-high 105 tackles.
Memphis
Event: Gasparilla Bowl
Outcome: NC State 31, Memphis 7
Final Record: 8-5
Analysis: North Carolina State was in command the entire game, scoring the first 24 points and holding a 31-7 halftime lead. This ended Memphis’ four-game bowl winning streak. Quarterback Brendon Lewis had a rough game, completing 14 of 25 passes for 106 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He did rush for 51 yards on 11 carries.
Memphis standout: Redshirt senior Jamari Hawkins had four receptions for 32 yards and the lone Tigers’ score, a 28-yard TD pass from Lewis. It was his second receiving touchdown of the season and in his career.
UTSA
Event: First Responder Bowl
Outcome: UTSA 57, FIU 20
Final Record: 7-6
Analysis: It was hard to believe that UTSA trailed 14-0 in this game, but the Roadrunners assumed control by scoring 38 unanswered points to increase their bowl winning streak to three games. The Roadrunners used a balanced attack in gaining 481 yards of offense, 186 on the ground and 295 in the air.
UTSA standout: Quarterback Owen McCown was named the MVP after completing 18 of 28 passes for 295 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 22 yards on seven attempts.
East Carolina
Event: Military Bowl
Outcome: East Carolina 23, Pitt 17
Final Record: 9-4
Analysis: With four key offensive players opting out to enter the transfer portal, the Pirates still had enough to beat Pitt and extend their bowl winning streak to three games. The defense forced five turnovers and recorded seven tackles for loss, including four sacks. Sophomore defensive back Kevon Merrell had three tackles and returned an interception 70 yards to set up Nick Mazzie’s third field goal of the game and increase the lead to 23-14.
East Carolina standout: Veteran wide receiver Anthony Smith was named the Military Bowl MVP. Smith had four receptions for a Military Bowl-record 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Army
Event: Fenway Bowl
Outcome: Army 41, UConn 16
Final Record: 7-6
Analysis: Even though UConn played without standout quarterback Joe Fagnano, who opted out of the game to prepare for his NFL career, it was still an impressive win by the Black Knights. UConn was just 1 for 9 on third downs. Army linebacker Kalib Fortner had six tackles and half of a sack in earning the Fenway Bowl Defensive MVP award. Quarterback Cale Hellums completed 7 of 8 passes for 108 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He also rushed for 45 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Army standout: Freshman running back Godspower Nwawuihe was named the offensive MVP after rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. He scored on runs of 43 and 70 yards. It was a breakout game for Nwawuihe, who had just nine carries entering the contest.
North Texas
Event: New Mexico Bowl
Outcome: North Texas 49, San Diego State 47
Final Record: 12-2
Analysis: North Texas showed why it is the nation’s top scoring offense while earning its first 12-win season in school history. North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker completed 27 of 47 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Redshirt freshman Ashton Gray rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. North Texas safety Will Jones II was named the game’s defensive MVP after recording 14 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
North Texas standout: Offensive MVP Caleb Hawkins rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns while catching three passes for 25 yards and a score. Hawkins scored on runs of nine and three yards and also caught a 23-yard TD.
Rice
Event: Armed Forces Bowl
Outcome: Texas State 41, Rice 10
Final Record: 5-8
Analysis: Rice trailed just 10-7 at the half before Texas State earned a 31-0 advantage over the final two quarters. For the game, Texas State outgained the Owls 436 yards to 195. Rice wide receiver Aaron Turner had 10 receptions for 24 yards. It was the most receptions in Rice bowl game history. Turner did score Rice’s lone touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Patrick Crayton Jr. The touchdown pass, with nine seconds left in the second quarter, was the first of Crayton’s career. Defensive lineman Tony Anyanwu had a career-high 11 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.
Rice standout: Chase Allen punted six times for a 47.7-yard average, the highest average in Rice bowl game history. His longest punt went for 66 yards. Allen was punting for the first time all season.
Navy
Event: Liberty Bowl
Outcome: Navy 35, Cincinnati 13
Final Record: 11-2
Analysis: Even though Cincinnati played without quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who entered the transfer portal, along with a few other key players, it was still an impressive win for Navy. Quarterback Blake Horvath guided an offense that owned a 349-239 advantage in total yards. Eli Heidenreich had six receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 62 yards on 10 carries. Linebacker Coleman Cauley had 10 tackles and returned an interception five yards for the game’s final score.
Navy standout: Horvath was named the Liberty Bowl MVP. He completed 9 of 15 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Horvath also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
