News and notes from around the American Athletic Conference
Your One And Only
Entering the 12th week of the season, the American Athletic Conference remains the only NCAA FBS conference that has at least three teams with one loss or fewer. UCF is 9-0 and is one of four unbeaten teams nationally (along with Alabama, Miami (Fla) and Wisconsin), while Memphis and USF are both 8-1.
National Honors For Houston’s Oliver
Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been named as one of five finalists for the 2017 Nagurski Trophy as college football’s defensive player of the year. Oliver, who was an All-America selection as a true freshman in 2016, looks to become the second American Athletic Conference player in three years to win the Nagurski Trophy, joining Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who won in 2015. Oliver’s competition includes North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb, Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.
Navy Goes Six-For-Six
Navy picked up its sixth win of the season last Saturday with a thrilling 43-40 victory against SMU that featured a record-setting performance by quarterback Malcolm Perry and a game-winning field goal at the final gun. Perry set the American Athletic Conference single-game rushing record with 282 yards to go with four touchdowns, but the game wasn’t finished until kicker J.R. Osborn hit his first career field goal as the clock hit zeroes. The sixth victory for Navy means that the Midshipmen have qualified for a bowl game for the sixth consecutive season and have become the sixth American Athletic Conference team this season to gain bowl eligibility.
The Biggest Games On The Biggest Platforms
The American Athletic Conference announced this week that two upcoming games will be televised nationally on ABC, beginning with a Nov. 24 showdown between USF and UCF that could decide The American’s East Division title (3:30 p.m. ET). Additionally, the Dec. 2 American Athletic Conference Football Championship will be on ABC for the third consecutive season (noon ET).
UCF’s Griffin Is All-CLASS
UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who was the 2016 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year - and who is profiled in this week’s edition of Sports Illustrated - has been named as one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award. The honor recognizes achievement in community, classroom, character and competition. Griffin, who already holds a degree in human communication, started a track club for children in St. Petersburg, Florida, with his twin brother Shaquil, a former UCF standout and current starter on the Seattle Seahawks. He also is active with the Boys and Girls Club and delivers a number of motivational speeches schools, hospitals and community centers.