Only three games were on the American Athletic Conference docket in Week 7, but conference teams continued to make headlines in 2021 as Cincinnati improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in league play with an impressive win.

The Bearcats raced to a 35-0 lead in the second quarter against UCF on their way to a 56-21 victory at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati’s 24th consecutive win on its home turf.

RB Jerome Ford led the way with four rushing touchdowns as part of a 189-yard day, while QB Desmond Ridder was an efficient 13-of-23 for 140 yards and a TD. The win, coupled with Iowa’s loss to Purdue Saturday, propelled Cincinnati to the No. 2 spot in the Associated Press poll, marking the highest ranking in both program and American Athletic Conference history.

Tulsa improved to 2-1 in conference play as the Golden Hurricane rallied for a 32-31 win at South Florida. Tulsa trailed 24-10 in the second quarter and faced a 31-20 deficit into the fourth quarter, but gained the lead for the first time on a 3-yard touchdown run by RB Shamari Brooks with 47 seconds left. Brooks and RB Deneric Prince both topped 100 yards on the ground as Brooks had 145 yards on 23 carries, while Prince had 110 yards and a TD on 19 attempts. Tulsa reeled off 535 yards of offense and had 31 first downs to win back-to-back games for the first time in 2021.

South Florida scored touchdowns on defense and special teams as LB Antonio Grier had a 69-yard interception return, while RB Brian Battie became the ninth American Athletic Conference player with a 100-yard kickoff return.

The week began with Memphis’ 35-17 win against Navy as the Tigers picked up their first conference victory of the season. Big plays proved to be the difference as the Tigers scored on a 69-yard touchdown run by WR Calvin Austin III and a 74-yard touchdown pass from QB Seth Henigan to WR Eddie Lewis. Memphis also had chunk plays of 51 and 49 yards, while the Tigers didn’t allow Navy a play longer than 21 yards.

This week’s schedule features five conference games, with matchups on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Unbeaten SMU, which is ranked No. 21 nationally, returns to action Thursday to host a Tulane squad that is looking for its first conference win. UCF looks to bounce back Friday in a key game against Memphis, which will improve the winner to .500 in league play.

Saturday’s lineup features three games as No. 2 Cincinnati takes to the road in conference play for the first time to face a Navy squad that has gone 21-5 all time in American Athletic Conference home games. Houston, which sits at 3-0 and in first place in The American standings, hosts East Carolina, while South Florida looks for its first conference win when the Bulls host Temple.