2017 American Athletic Conference Leaders Rushing Defense - Games in August/September Only through 01/08/2018
| Name | G | Att | Yards | Avg. | TD | Att/G | Yards/G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Florida | 5 | 158 | 372 | 2.35 | 5 | 31.60 | 74.40 |
| 2 | UCF | 3 | 87 | 251 | 2.89 | 2 | 29.00 | 83.67 |
| 3 | SMU | 5 | 176 | 533 | 3.03 | 7 | 35.20 | 106.60 |
| 4 | Navy | 4 | 132 | 518 | 3.92 | 5 | 33.00 | 129.50 |
| 5 | Houston | 4 | 144 | 623 | 4.33 | 2 | 36.00 | 155.75 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 4 | 145 | 648 | 4.47 | 8 | 36.25 | 162.00 |
| 7 | Memphis | 4 | 170 | 769 | 4.52 | 6 | 42.50 | 192.25 |
| 8 | Temple | 5 | 201 | 997 | 4.96 | 11 | 40.20 | 199.40 |
| 9 | Tulane | 4 | 175 | 839 | 4.79 | 8 | 43.75 | 209.75 |
| 10 | Cincinnati | 5 | 245 | 1189 | 4.85 | 8 | 49.00 | 237.80 |
| 11 | East Carolina | 5 | 239 | 1488 | 6.23 | 17 | 47.80 | 297.60 |
| 12 | Tulsa | 5 | 238 | 1599 | 6.72 | 14 | 47.60 | 319.80 |