There were only five games of action in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) this week. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot of impact in this small docket. Conference match-ups, big games against national powers, and a changing of the guard all happened before the week was done.

In West division action, the Navy Midshipmen battled against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Irish were able to dominate 44-22. The biggest news this week out of this division surrounded the big matchup between the top of the West and East. The Houston Cougars repeated history by derailing the undefeated season for the USF Bulls, 57-36. The Cougars quarterback D’Eriq King overwhelmed the Bulls defense to replace them as one of the two American Conference teams within the AP Top 25. USF still sits tied for second in the East fighting for a chance at the AAC Championship. Should they pull off winning the East, the final contest will likely be a Houston-revenge game as the Cougs sit four games ahead of the rest of the division based on overall record.

In the East, the UCF Knights remain the final undefeated team in the AAC with a bye in this past week’s action. The Bearcats and Bulls records weren’t so safe this week. USF stumbled, but Cincinnati was struggling themselves needing overtime to eventually sneak past the Mustangs of SMU. Both USF and Cincinnati are still in the race for division as the Knights still remain on both their schedules.

The feature game next week for the AAC is a nationally televised affair featuring the Temple Owls flying in to Orlando to face the Knights. Other games on the docket include Memphis on the road against ECU, Tulane traveling to Tampa to play the Bulls, Navy sails to Cincinnati, UConn sleds into Tulsa while Houston looks to maintain their dominance against SMU.

As the season is winding closer to its conclusion, here are Week 9’s top performers:

Offensive Player of the Week

Tying The American single-game record by figuring in seven touchdowns while throwing for 419 yards and rushing for 132 yards, @UHCougarFB‘s D’Eriq King is the #AmericanFB Offensive Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/kaWYRPUxwG pic.twitter.com/mecW5lN75U — American Football (@American_FB) October 29, 2018

Houston Quarterback D’Eriq King becomes the second player to earn back-to-back honors for the AAC OPotY in 2018 during the gigantic win over USF. King ruled the field throwing for 419 yards and rushing for 132 yards with 7 total touchdowns on the day.

Defensive Player of the Week

Making the game-winning play in overtime to give Cincinnati a 26-20 win at SMU with his 86-yard INT returned for a TD, @GoBearcatsFB‘s James Wiggins is the #AmericanFB Defensive Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/kaWYRPUxwG pic.twitter.com/ZUxuFEMUif — American Football (@American_FB) October 29, 2018

Securing the over victory for the Cincinnati Bearcats over SMU was safety James Wiggins. The sophomore took a walk-off interception 86 yards to get the nod as a top performer.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Scoring eight points, including a pair of second-half field goals, to help Cincinnati to a 26-20 win at SMU, @GoBearcatsFB‘s Cole Smith is the #AmericanFB Special Teams Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/kaWYRPCWF8 pic.twitter.com/JyQ5hQgqhO — American Football (@American_FB) October 29, 2018

Kicker Cole Smith is the second Bearcat to secure an award for Week 9. He booted in two extra points and two second-half field goals to secure the 26-20 victory.

Kyle Nash, known as The Student of the Game, covers UCF Football for SportsMediaPass.com and is a special contributor for Break the Fourth. He’s a also a writer for the DolphinsWire of USA Today and co-host of the DinnerTime and Default Assault podcasts.