AAC Football -- Week 5 highlights

[Chris Harmon]

Highlights from Week 5:

Through five weeks of the 2016 season, the American Athletic Conference ranks fifth among the 10 NCAA FBS conferences in nonconference winning percentage.

1. SEC 28-7, .800
2. Big Ten 32-9, .780
3. ACC 33-10, .767
4. Pac-12 23-10, .697
5. American 29-14, .674
6. Big 12 19-11, .633
7. Mountain West 23-23, .500

• Houston, UCF, USF and Temple came away with conference wins in Week 5 of the college football season, while Tulane was a winner in nonconference action.
  
  
• Houston improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in The American with a 42-14 win against UConn last Thursday at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars reeled off 28 straight points to start the second quarter as QB Greg Ward Jr. had a hand in five touchdowns on the day. Ward finished with a career-high 389 yards and three touchdowns on 32-of-38 passing, while he added two rushing TDs as well.

• UCF won its second straight game as the Knights went on the road for a 47-29 victory against East Carolina. The Knights scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams, topped by a two-TD effort from RB Dontravious Wilson. RB Adrian Killins scored on a 100-yard kickoff return, and DE Brandon Hayes found pay dirt on a 4-yard interception return. The Knights improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in The American.
  
  
• USF also found a road win as the Bulls took over in the second half of a 45-20 victory at Cincinnati. The Bulls trailed 20-17 in the second quarter, but USF held the Bearcats scoreless in the second half. RB Marlon Mack became USF’s career rushing leader during the game as he finished with 118 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
  
  
• Temple also won its conference opener as the Owls reeled off 35 straight points in the first half to take a 45-20 decision against SMU at Lincoln Financial Field. RB Ryquell Armstead (15 carries, 159 yards) and RB Jahad Thomas (16 carries, 80 yards) both had two touchdowns as the Owls finished with a 244-89 advantage in rushing yards.
  
  
• Tulane was a road winner in nonconference play as the Green Wave erased an early 14-0 deficit to score a 31-24 victory at Massachusetts. WR Terren Encalade turned in a career high in receiving yards for the second straight game as he had seven catches for 125 yards and a TD to pace Tulane, which improved to 3-2.
  
  
• Memphis and Navy both fell in nonconference action. The Tigers suffered their first loss of the season with a 48-28 setback at No. 16/17 Mississippi, while Navy’s streak of 19 straight wins against unranked opponents came to an end with a 28-14 loss at Air Force.