2016 American Athletic Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - Games vs. Unranked Teams Only (AP Poll) through 01/09/2017
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Att/G | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston | 11 | 381 | 1131 | 2.97 | 15 | 34.64 | 102.82 |
| 2 | Connecticut | 10 | 355 | 1221 | 3.44 | 15 | 35.50 | 122.10 |
| 3 | Temple | 12 | 440 | 1544 | 3.51 | 12 | 36.67 | 128.67 |
| 4 | Tulane | 11 | 424 | 1715 | 4.04 | 18 | 38.55 | 155.91 |
| 5 | Navy | 12 | 466 | 1918 | 4.12 | 16 | 38.83 | 159.83 |
| 6 | Tulsa | 12 | 478 | 2024 | 4.23 | 24 | 39.83 | 168.67 |
| 7 | Memphis | 11 | 451 | 2162 | 4.79 | 22 | 41.00 | 196.55 |
| 7 | SMU | 10 | 410 | 2004 | 4.89 | 24 | 41.00 | 200.40 |
| 9 | East Carolina | 9 | 373 | 2013 | 5.40 | 24 | 41.44 | 223.67 |
| 10 | South Florida | 11 | 456 | 1757 | 3.85 | 19 | 41.45 | 159.73 |
| 11 | UCF | 10 | 436 | 1537 | 3.53 | 14 | 43.60 | 153.70 |
| 12 | Cincinnati | 10 | 454 | 1774 | 3.91 | 10 | 45.40 | 177.40 |