2016 American Athletic Conference football season

Last updated

2016 American Athletic Conference
football season
American Athletic Conference logo.svg
League NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision)
Sport Football
DurationSeptember 1, 2016
through January 2017
Number of teams12
TV partner(s) ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and CBS Sports Network
2017 NFL Draft
Top draft pick Haason Reddick (Temple)
Picked by Arizona Cardinals, 13th overall
Regular season
Top scorer Will Worth (150 points)
East champions Temple
  East runners-upSouth Florida
West championsNavy
  West runners-upTulsa
The American Championship
Champions Temple
  Runners-upNavy
Football seasons
  2015
2017  
2016 American Athletic Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Temple xy$  7 1   10 4  
No. 19 South Florida x  7 1   11 2  
UCF  4 4   6 7  
Cincinnati  1 7   4 8  
UConn  1 7   3 9  
East Carolina  1 7   3 9  
West Division
Navy xy  7 1   9 5  
Tulsa  6 2   10 3  
Memphis  5 3   8 5  
Houston  5 3   9 4  
SMU  3 5   5 7  
Tulane  1 7   4 8  
Championship: Temple 34, Navy 10
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016 American Athletic Conference football season was the 25th NCAA Division I FBS football season of the American Athletic Conference (The American). The season was the third since the breakup of the former Big East Conference, and the third season with the College Football Playoff in place. The American was considered a member of the "Group of Five" (G5) with Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference. Whereas under the previous system the champion of the conference was guaranteed an automatic berth to a BCS bowl game, the highest-ranked champion member of the G5 received a bid to one of the six major bowls. [1]

Contents

The American consisted of 12 members: Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UCF, UConn, Navy. In June 2015, the Collegiate Commissioner's Association announced that it would postpone final rankings until after the annual Army–Navy Game if Navy or Army are in contention for a spot in the semifinals or a New Years Six bowl. If Navy was the highest-ranked Group of 5 champion and loses to Army, it would be replaced by next highest-ranked Group of 5 champion in the New Years Six Bowl. [2]

In the 2016 season, the American had four new coaches. Willie Fritz, formerly the head coach at Georgia Southern, was hired by Tulane to replace Curtis Johnson. After beginning the 2013 season, Johnson lost 22 of his final 27 games against FBS opponents. He finished at Tulane with a 15–4 record through four full seasons. He compiled a 7–9 conference record in the C-USA (2012–2013), and a 3–13 conference record in the American Athletic Conference (2014–2015). On December 1, 2015, UCF hired Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost. [3] Frost replaced longtime UCF head coach George O'Leary and interim head coach Danny Barrett, who took over the Knights when O'Leary resigned following an 0–8 start. On December 3, 2015, Memphis hired Arizona State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Norvell, replacing Justin Fuente who took the job at Virginia Tech. [4] On December 13, 2015, East Carolina hired Duke (OC/QB) Scottie Montgomery. [5] replacing Ruffin McNeill who was relieved of his duties as ECU head coach after finishing the season with a record of 5–7. [6]

American Athletic Conference Media Day

The American Athletic Conference Media Day took place August 12 in Newport, Rhode Island. [7]

Preseason poll

Head coaches

Recruiting classes

Rankings
TeamESPN [8] Rivals [9] Scout [10] 24/7 [11] Signees
Cincinnati7575737621
Connecticut1019816
East Carolina81887722
Houston3044514019
Memphis7272696322
Navy988336
SMU6774617222
South Florida6370776116
Temple5959765726
Tulane861008924
Tulsa87859220
UCF6658746620

Rankings

Legend
  Improvement in ranking
 Drop in ranking
 Not ranked previous week
 No change in ranking from previous week
RVReceived votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll
 PreWk
2
Wk
3
Wk
4
Wk
5
Wk
6
Wk
7
Wk
8
Wk
9
Wk
10
Wk
11
Wk
12
Wk
13
Wk
14
Wk
15
Final
CincinnatiAPRV
C
CFPNot released
ConnecticutAP
C
CFPNot released
East CarolinaAP
C
CFPNot released
HoustonAP15666661311RVRVRVRV18RVRV
C1377775121124RVRVRV21RVRV
CFPNot released2024
MemphisAPRV
CRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot released
NavyAPRVRV252422RVRVRV20RV
CRVRVRVRVRVRV2522RVRVRVRV20RV
CFPNot released251925
SMUAPRV
C
CFPNot released
South FloridaAPRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV2425
CRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRVRV2322
CFPNot released
TempleAPRVRV23
CRV24
CFPNot released24
TulaneAP
C
CFPNot released
TulsaAPRVRVRV
CRVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot released
UCFAP
C
CFPNot released

Schedule

All Times and Dates are Tentative, [12] The 2016 conference football schedule was released February 9 [13]

Index to colors and formatting
American member won
American member loss
American teams in bold

Week 1

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 17:00 p.m. UT Martin Cincinnati Nippert StadiumCincinnati, OH ESPN3 W 28–7  28,520
September 17:00 p.m. Maine Connecticut Rentschler FieldEast Hartford, CT ASN W 24–21  29,377
September 17:00 p.m.Tulane Wake Forest BB&T FieldWinston-Salem, NC ESPN3L 3–7  24,398
September 27:00 p.m. Army Temple Lincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PA CBSSN L 13–28  34,005
September 3NoonNo. 3  Oklahoma No. 15 Houston NRG StadiumHouston, TX (Texas Kickoff) ABC W 33–23  71,016
September 3Noon Fordham Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD CBSSNW 52–16  28,238
September 36:00 p.m. Western Carolina East Carolina Dowdy–Ficklen StadiumGreenville, NC ESPN3W 52–7  44,161
September 37:00 p.m. South Carolina State UCF Bright House Networks StadiumOrlando, FL ESPN3W 38–0  36,260
September 37:00 p.m.No. 24 (FCS)  Towson South Florida Raymond James StadiumTampa, FL ASNW 56–20  35,976
September 37:00 p.m. Southeast Missouri State Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial StadiumMemphis, TN ESPN3W 35–17  42,876
September 37:00 p.m.SMU North Texas Apogee StadiumDenton, TX ASNW 34–21  24,718
September 37:00 p.m. San Jose State Tulsa Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman StadiumTulsa, OK CBSSNW 45–10  18,748
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 2

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 10NoonUCFNo. 5  Michigan Michigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MI ABCL 14–51  109,295
September 10NoonCincinnati Purdue Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN BTN W 38–20  33,068
September 10Noon NC State East CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC ESPNU W 33–30  50,719
September 10Noon Lamar No. 6 Houston TDECU StadiumHouston, TX ASNW 42–0  39,402
September 101:00 p.m. Stony Brook TempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAESPN3W 38–0  22,296
September 103:30 p.m.ConnecticutNavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDCBSSN NAVY 28–24  31,501
September 103:30 p.m.SMUNo. 23  Baylor McLane StadiumWaco, TX FS1 L 13–40  45,499
September 103:30 p.m.TulsaNo. 4  Ohio State Ohio StadiumColumbus, OH ABCL 3–48  104,410
September 107:00 p.m. Northern Illinois South FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLCBSSNW 48–17  36,557
September 108:00 p.m. Southern Tulane Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, LA ESPN3W 66–21  27,179
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 10Memphis

Week 3

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 157:30 p.m.No. 6 HoustonCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHESPN HOU 40–16  40,015
September 17NoonTemple Penn State Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, PA BTNL 27–34  100,420
September 17Noon Kansas MemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNESPNUW 43–7  34,448
September 171:30 p.m. Virginia ConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CT SNY W 13–10  31,036
September 172:00 p.m. North Carolina A&T TulsaSkelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OKESPN3W 58–21  16,111
September 173:30 p.m.South Florida Syracuse Carrier DomeSyracuse, NY ESPN3W 45–20  32,288
September 174:00 p.m.East Carolina South Carolina Williams-Brice StadiumColumbia, SC SEC Network L 15–20  80,384
September 177:00 p.m. Maryland UCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLCBSSNL 24–30 2OT 43,197
September 177:00 p.m.NavyTulaneYulman Stadium • New Orleans, LAASN NAVY 21–14  21,503
September 177:00 p.m. Liberty SMU Gerald J. Ford StadiumUniversity Park, TX ESPN3W 29–14  22,127
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 4

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 238:00 p.m. TCU SMUGerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX (Battle for the Iron Skillet) ESPN L 3–33  30,987
September 24NoonNo. 13  Florida State South FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL ABC L 35–55  61,665
September 24Noon Charlotte TempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAASNW 48–20  27,786
September 2412:30 p.m.East Carolina Virginia Tech Lane StadiumBlacksburg, VA ACCN L 17–54  63,712
September 241:00 p.m.SyracuseConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTCBSSNL 24–31  31,899
September 243:30 p.m. Miami (OH) CincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH (121st Battle for the Victory Bell) ESPNews W 27–20  38,112
September 244:30 p.m.Tulsa Fresno State Bulldog StadiumFresno, CA MWTV W 48–41 2OT 23,273
September 247:00 p.m.UCF FIU FIU StadiumMiami, FL BeIN Sports W 53–14  18,524
September 247:00 p.m.No. 6 Houston Texas State Bobcat StadiumSan Marcos, TX ESPNU W 64–3  33,133
September 248:00 p.m. Bowling Green MemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNESPNewsW 77–3  38,713
September 248:00 p.m. Louisiana–Lafayette TulaneYulman Stadium • New Orleans, LAESPN3W 41–39 4OT 24,253
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
September 24Navy

Week 5

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
September 298:00 p.m.ConnecticutNo. 6 HoustonTDECU Stadium • Houston, TXESPN HOU 42–14  40,873
October 1NoonUCFEast CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC (rivalry)CBSSN UCF 47–29  46,042
October 1NoonSMUTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAESPNews TEM 45–20  22,401
October 13:30 p.m.Navy Air Force Falcon StadiumColorado Springs, CO (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)CBSSNL 14–28  43,063
October 13:30 p.m.Tulane UMass Warren McGuirk Alumni StadiumHadley, MA ASNW 31–24  14,892
October 17:00 p.m.South FloridaCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHESPNU USF 45–20  35,108
October 17:00 p.m.MemphisNo. 16  Ole Miss Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS ESPN2L 28–48  65,889
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 1Tulsa

Week 6

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 68:00 p.m.TempleMemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNESPN MEM 34–27  34,743
October 78:00 p.m.TulaneUCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLESPNU Postponed [a]    
October 78:00 p.m.SMUTulsaSkelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OKESPN2 TLSA 43–40 OT 20,089
October 811:30 a.m.CincinnatiConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTCBSSN CONN 20–9  24,169
October 8NoonEast CarolinaSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPNews USF 38–22  30,397
October 83:00 p.m.No. 6 HoustonNavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDCBSSN NAVY 46–40  34,531
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

^[a] The October 7th game in Orlando between Tulane and UCF was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew and rescheduled for November 5, a date which both teams had open. [14]

Week 7

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 137:30 p.m.No. 25 NavyEast CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NCESPN Postponed [b]    
October 148:00 p.m.MemphisTulaneYulman Stadium • New Orleans, LAESPNU MEM 24–14  21,098
October 157:00 p.m.ConnecticutSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLCBSSN USF 42–27  30,297
October 157:00 p.m.TulsaNo. 13 HoustonTDECU Stadium • Houston, TXESPN2 HOU 38–31  38,221
October 157:30 p.m.TempleUCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLESPNU TEM 26–25  38,299
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
October 15CincinnatiSMU

^[b] The October 13th game in Greenville, NC between Navy and East Carolina was postponed due because of flooding associated with Hurricane Matthew, the game will be rescheduled for November 19, a date which both teams had open. [15]

Week 8

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 217:00 p.m.South FloridaTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAESPN TEM 46–30  25,950
October 22NoonUCFConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CT (Civil Conflict)ESPNews UCF 24–16  28,008
October 223:30 p.m.MemphisNo. 24 NavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDCBSSN NAVY 42–28  35,943
October 223:45 p.m.TulaneTulsaSkelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OKESPNU TLSA 50–27  22,349
October 227:00 p.m.East CarolinaCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHCBSSN CIN 31–19  32,022
October 227:00 p.m.No. 11 HoustonSMUGerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX (rivalry)ESPN2 SMU 38–16  25,079
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 9

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
October 287:00 p.m.No. 22 NavySouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FLESPN2 USF 52–45  31,824
October 29NoonUCFHoustonTDECU Stadium • Houston, TXESPNU HOU 31–24  35,846
October 29NoonConnecticutEast CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NCESPNews ECU 41–3  41,370
October 293:30 p.m.CincinnatiTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PACBSSN TEM 34–13  29,763
October 294:00 p.m.SMUTulaneYulman Stadium • New Orleans, LAESPNews SMU 35–31  25,780
October 298:00 p.m.TulsaMemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNESPNews TLSA 59–30  36,894
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 10

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 47:00 p.m.TempleConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTESPN2 TEM 21–0  22,316
November 511:30 a.m. Notre Dame Navy EverBank FieldJacksonville, FL (Rip Miller Trophy) CBS W 28–27  50,867
November 53:30 p.m. BYU CincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHCBSSNL 3–20  37,522
November 54:00 p.m.MemphisSMUGerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TXESPNews MEM 51–7  24,379
November 55:00 p.m.TulaneUCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLESPN3 UCF 31–6  31,571
November 58:00 p.m.East CarolinaTulsaSkelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OKESPNews TLSA 45–24  17,557
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 5South FloridaHouston

Week 11

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 12NoonTulsaNavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDCBSSN NAVY 42–40  36,397
November 12NoonCincinnatiUCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLESPNU UCF 24–3  30,346
November 12NoonSMUEast CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NCESPNews SMU 55–31  42,908
November 123:30 p.m.TulaneHoustonTDECU Stadium • Houston, TXCBSSN HOU 30–18  36,552
November 127:00 p.m.South FloridaMemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNESPNU USF 49–42  37,218
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.
DateBye Week
November 12ConnecticutTemple

Week 12

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 178:00 p.m.No. 3  Louisville HoustonTDECU Stadium • Houston, TXESPNW 36–10  42,822
November 188:00 p.m.MemphisCincinnatiNippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OHCBSSN MEM 34–7  25,796
November 191:00 p.m.Connecticut Boston College Alumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MA ACCN Extra L 0–30  36,220
November 193:30 p.m.TempleTulaneYulman Stadium • New Orleans, LAASN TEM 31–0  16,497
November 194:00 p.m.NavyEast CarolinaDowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NCESPNews NAVY 66–31  39,480
November 197:00 p.m.South FloridaSMUGerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TXCBSSN USF 35–27  18,417
November 198:00 p.m.TulsaUCFBright House Networks Stadium • Orlando, FLESPNews TLSA 35–20  35,141
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 13

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
November 25NoonNo. 18 HoustonMemphisLiberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TNABC MEM 48–44  36,527
November 258:30 p.m.CincinnatiTulsaSkelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OKESPNU TLSA 40–37  18,550
November 26NoonUCFSouth FloridaRaymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL (War on I-4)CBSSN USF 48–31  36,056
November 263:30 p.m.NavySMUGerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX (Gansz Trophy)ESPNU NAVY 75–31  21,283
November 264:00 p.m.TulaneConnecticutRentschler Field • East Hartford, CTESPNews TULN 38–13  20,764
November 267:30 p.m.East CarolinaTempleLincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PAESPNews TEM 37–10  28,373
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

American Athletic Conference Championship Game

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
December 3NoonTempleNo. 20 NavyNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDABC TEM 34–10  22,815
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Week 15

DateTimeVisiting teamHome teamSiteTVResultAttendanceRef.
December 103:00 p.m.ArmyNavy M&T Bank StadiumBaltimore, MD (117th Army–Navy Game/Commander-in-Chief's Trophy)CBSL 17–21  71,600
#Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Bowl games

American Athletic Conference bowl games [16] for the 2016 season are:

Bowl gameDateSiteTelevisionTime (EST)AAC teamOpponentScoreAttendance
Las Vegas Bowl December 17 Sam Boyd StadiumWhitney, NV ABC3:30 p.m. Houston San Diego State 10–3429,286
AutoNation Cure Bowl December 17 Camping World StadiumOrlando, FL CBSSN5:30 p.m. UCF Arkansas State 13–3127,213
Miami Beach Bowl December 19 Marlins ParkMiami, FL ESPN2:30 p.m. Tulsa Central Michigan 55–1015,262
Marmot Boca Raton Bowl December 20 FAU StadiumBoca Raton, FL ESPN7:00 p.m. Memphis WKU 31–5124,726
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl December 23 Amon G. Carter StadiumFort Worth, TX ESPN4:30 p.m.#25 Navy Louisiana Tech 45–4840,542
Military Bowl December 27Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MDESPN3:30 p.m.#24 Temple Wake Forest 26–3426,656
Birmingham Bowl December 29 Legion FieldBirmingham, Alabama ESPN2:00 p.m. South Florida South Carolina 46–39 OT31,229

Rankings are from CFP Poll. All times Eastern Time Zone.

Selection of teams

Records against FBS conferences

2016 records against FBS conferences

Through Dec 29, 2016

ConferenceRecord
ACC 4–6
Big Ten 1–4
Big 12 2–2
C-USA 3–2
Independents 2–3
MAC 4–0
Mountain West 2–2
SEC 1–2
Sun Belt 2–1
Total21–22

The American vs. Power Conferences

Index to colors and formatting
American member won
American member loss
DateVisitorHomeWinning TeamOpponent
Conference
September 1TulaneWake ForestWake ForestACC
September 3‡#3 Oklahoma#15 HoustonHoustonBig 12
September 10CincinnatiPurdueCincinnatiBig Ten
September 10UCF#5 MichiganMichiganBig Ten
September 10NC StateEast CarolinaEast CarolinaACC
September 10SMU#23 BaylorBaylorBig 12
September 10Tulsa#4 Ohio StateOhio StateBig Ten
September 17MarylandUCFMarylandBig Ten
September 17VirginiaConnecticutConnecticutACC
September 17East CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth CarolinaSEC
September 17KansasMemphisMemphisBig 12
September 17South FloridaSyracuseSouth FloridaACC
September 17TemplePenn StatePenn StateBig Ten
September 24SyracuseConnecticutSyracuseACC
September 24East CarolinaVirginia TechVirginia TechACC
September 24TCUSMUTCUBig 12
September 24#13 Florida StateSouth FloridaFlorida StateACC
October 1Memphis#16 Ole MissOle MissSEC
November 5‡Notre DameNavyNavyIND
November 17#3 LouisvilleHoustonHoustonACC
November 19ConnecticutBoston CollegeBoston CollegeACC
December 27‡Wake Forest#23 TempleWake ForestACC
December 29‡South Carolina#25 South FloridaSouth FloridaSEC

‡This game was played at a neutral site

Players of the Week

WeekOffensiveDefensiveSpecial Teams
PlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeamPlayerPositionTeam
Week 1 Greg Ward Jr. QBHoustonTrent MartinLBTulsa Brandon Wilson CBHouston
Week 2 Quinton Flowers QBUSF Alohi Gilman LB/DBNavySherman BadieRBTulane
Week 3Greg Ward Jr.QBHoustonSteven TaylorLBHoustonBobby PuyolKUConn
Week 4 Riley Ferguson QBMemphisJeremy BradySTulsaAndrew DiRoccoKTulane
Week 5Greg Ward Jr.QBHouston Haason Reddick DETemple Adrian Killins RBUCF
Week 6 Will Worth QBNavyJosiah PowellLBNavyBennett MoehringKNavy
Week 7Will WorthQBNavyJarvis PruittDESMUAaron BoumerhiKTemple
Week 8James FlandersRBTulsa Shaquem Griffin LBUCF Jake Elliott KMemphis
Week 9Riley FergusonQBMemphisDrico JohnsonDBUCFAaron BoumerhiKTemple
Week 10Quinton FlowersQBUSFHorace RichardsonCBSMUDane RoyPHouston
Week 11
Week 12

Awards and honors

Conference awards

The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the American Athletic Conference football coaches at the end of the season

2016 American Athletic Conference Individual Awards
AwardRecipient(s)
Offensive Player of the Year Quinton Flowers
Defensive Player of the Year Shaquem Griffin
Special Teams Player of the Year Tony Pollard
Rookie of the Year Ed Oliver
Coach of the Year Ken Niumatalolo
2016 All-American Athletic Conference Football Teams
First TeamSecond Team
OffenseDefenseOffenseDefense

WR – Zay Jones, East Carolina
WR – Courtland Sutton, SMU
WR – Keevan Lucas, Tulsa
OT – Kofi Amichia, South Florida
OT – Dion Dawkins, Temple
OG – Adam West, Navy
OG – Black Belcher, Tulsa
C – Chandler Miller, Tulsa
TE – Daniel Montiel, Memphis
QB – Quinton Flowers, South Florida
RB – Marlon Mack, South Florida
K – Jake Elliott, Memphis
RS – Tony Pollard, Memphis

DL – Haason Reddick, Temple*
DL – Ed Oliver, Houston*
DL – Tanzel Smart, Tulane
DL Justin Lawler, SMU
LB – Shaquem Griffin, UCF
LB – Eric Wilson, Cincinnati
LB – Steven Taylor, Houston
LB – Genard Avery, Memphis
LB – Nico Marley, Tulane
CB Horace Richardson, SMU
CB – Howard Wilson, Houston
S – Darrion Millines, SMU
S – Obi Melifonwu, UConn
P – Spencer Smith, Memphis

WR – Noel Thomas, UConn
WR – Anthony Miller, Memphis
WR – Rodney Adams, South Florida
OT – Blake Copeland, Navy
OT – Evan Plagg, Tulsa
OG – Dominique Threatt, South Florida
OG – Tyler Bowling, Tulsa
C – Maurice Morris, Navy
TE – Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida
QB – Greg Ward Jr., Houston
RB – Jahad Thomas, Temple
RB – D'Angelo Brewer, Tulsa
K – Aaron Boumerhi, Temple
RS – D'Ernest Johnson, South Florida

DL – Jamiyus Pittman, UCF
DL – Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati
DL – Deadrin Senat, South Florida
DL – Praise Martin-Oguike, Temple
LB – Tyus Bowser, Houston
LB – Micah Thomas, Navy
LB – Auggie Sanchez, South Florida
LB – Avery Williams, Temple
CB – Shaquill Griffin, UCF
CB – Brandon Wilson, Houston
CB – Deatrick Nichols, South Florida
CB – Parry Nickerson, Tulane
S – Garrett Davis, Houston
S – Sean Chandler, Temple
P – Worth Gregory, ECU

^- denotes unanimous selection  Additional players added to the all-conference teams due to ties in the voting. [17]

NFL Draft

The American had a conference-record 15 players selected in the 2017 NFL draft, which placed it as the fifth most prolific conference in the draft. The American made headlines by having more selections than the Big 12 Conference, a Power 5 Conference. [18]

The following list includes all AAC players who were drafted in the 2017 NFL draft.

PlayerPositionSchoolDraft
Round
Round
Pick
Overall
Pick
Team
Haason Reddick LB Temple 11313 Arizona Cardinals
Zay Jones WR East Carolina 2537 Buffalo Bills
Tyus Bowser OLB Houston 21547 Baltimore Ravens
Obi Melifonwu S UConn 22456 Oakland Raiders
Dion Dawkins G Temple 23163 Buffalo Bills
Shaquill Griffin CB Central Florida 32690 Seattle Seahawks
Howard Wilson CB Houston 419126 Cleveland Browns
Marlon Mack RB South Florida 436143 Indianapolis Colts
Jake Elliott K Memphis 59153 Cincinnati Bengals
Nate Hairston CB Temple 514158 Indianapolis Colts
Rodney Adams WR South Florida 526170 Minnesota Vikings
Michael Tyson S Cincinnati 63187 Seattle Seahawks
Tanzel Smart DT Tulane 65189 Los Angeles Rams
Brandon Wilson CB Houston 623207 Cincinnati Bengals
Kofi Amichia OT South Florida 628212 Green Bay Packers

Attendance

TeamStadiumCapacityGame 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5Game 6Game 7TotalAverage% of Capacity
Cincinnati Nippert Stadium 40,00028,52040,015†38,11235,10832,02237,52225,796237,09533,87084.68%
Connecticut Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 40,64229,37731,03631,899†24,16928,00822,31620,764187,56926,79565.93%
East Carolina Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium 50,00044,16150,719†46,04241,37042,90839,480264,68044,11388.23%
Houston TDECU Stadium 40,00039,40240,87338,22135,84636,55242,822†233,71638,95397.38%
Memphis Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium 59,30842,876†34,44838,71334,74336,89437,21836,527261,41937,34562.97%
Navy Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium 34,00028,23831,50134,53135,94336,397†166,61033,32298.01%
SMU Gerald J. Ford Stadium 32,00022,12730,987†25,07924,37918,41721,283142,27223,71274.10%
South Florida Raymond James Stadium 65,89035,97636,55761,665†30,39730,29731,82436,056262,77237,53856.97%
Temple Lincoln Financial Field 69,17634,005†22,29627,78622,40125,95029,76328,373190,57427,22539.36%
Tulane Yulman Stadium 30,00027,179†21,50324,25321,09825,78016,497136,31022,71875.73%
Tulsa Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium 30,00018,74816,11120,08922,349†17,55718,550113,40418,90063.00%
UCF Bright House Networks Stadium 44,20636,26043,19738,299†31,57130,34635,141214,81435,80280.99%

Attendance for neutral site games

[19]

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