Temple University Athletics
Saturday, November 14
Raymond James Stadium - Tampa
7:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
USF
#22 Football Looks to Clinch East Division Title at USF
11.10.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -  The 22nd-ranked Temple football team heads to Tampa for its final road game of the season against USF. Last time out, the Owls returned to conference play with a 60-40 win against SMU in Dallas. USF is also coming off a win, as the Bulls defeated East Carolina on the road, 22-17. A Temple win locks up the East Division and a berth in the inaugural American Athletic Conference Championship on December 5th.
The Owls have reached new heights this season with a return to traditional offense. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has made his way up the all-time rankings at Temple with his consistent play and strong throws. He's just 231 yards from his third-straight 2,000 yard campaign. Temple has found their new workhorse running back in Jahad Thomas, also a junior and Walker's high school teammate in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He leads the American with 970 yards, and is 30 from Temple's 13th 1,000-yard rushing season. When the Owls pass the ball, Walker has reliable targets in redshirt senior Robby Anderson and redshirt freshman Ventell Bryant. Linebacker Auggie Sanchez leads the Bulls defense that has played well against opponents like Florida State, Memphis, and Navy.
USF's offense also relies on the rushing attack, spearheaded by sophomore Marlon Mack. Mack has the second-most yards for running backs in the conference, behind Thomas. Sophomore quarterback Quinto Flowers provides a dual-threat challenge to the veteran Owls defense, with over 2000 yards from scrimmage this season. Temple's defense is led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich. A semifinalist for the Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi Awards, he is just 13 away from his fourth 100 tackle-season, becoming the first Owl and seventh FBS player to accomplish this feat. He also leads the American in interceptions and will test the Bulls. Senior defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis leads the defensive line in tackles for loss, while sophomore defensive back Sean Chandler leads the Owls in passes defended.
The Last Time
In the schools' first meeting on October 6, 2012, Temple defeated USF 37-28 at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple quarterback Chris Coyer threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Montel Harris rushed for two scores in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory for the Owls. The win was the first in Big East play for Temple since 2004, as the Owls returned to the conference after seven seasons away.
Up Next
The Owls return to Philadelphia to face #21 Memphis at noon.
Last Week
The Owls defeated SMU 60-40 in Dallas. P.J. Walker threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. Freshman running back Jager Gardner scored on a 94-yard run, the longest from scrimmage in Temple history. Temple set a new scoring high in the Matt Rhule era, edging the 59 in the shutout of Delaware State last season at Lincoln Financial Field.
Game Notes | Conference Release | Coach Rhule's Press Conference
The Owls have reached new heights this season with a return to traditional offense. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has made his way up the all-time rankings at Temple with his consistent play and strong throws. He's just 231 yards from his third-straight 2,000 yard campaign. Temple has found their new workhorse running back in Jahad Thomas, also a junior and Walker's high school teammate in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He leads the American with 970 yards, and is 30 from Temple's 13th 1,000-yard rushing season. When the Owls pass the ball, Walker has reliable targets in redshirt senior Robby Anderson and redshirt freshman Ventell Bryant. Linebacker Auggie Sanchez leads the Bulls defense that has played well against opponents like Florida State, Memphis, and Navy.
USF's offense also relies on the rushing attack, spearheaded by sophomore Marlon Mack. Mack has the second-most yards for running backs in the conference, behind Thomas. Sophomore quarterback Quinto Flowers provides a dual-threat challenge to the veteran Owls defense, with over 2000 yards from scrimmage this season. Temple's defense is led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich. A semifinalist for the Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi Awards, he is just 13 away from his fourth 100 tackle-season, becoming the first Owl and seventh FBS player to accomplish this feat. He also leads the American in interceptions and will test the Bulls. Senior defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis leads the defensive line in tackles for loss, while sophomore defensive back Sean Chandler leads the Owls in passes defended.
The Last Time
In the schools' first meeting on October 6, 2012, Temple defeated USF 37-28 at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple quarterback Chris Coyer threw for a touchdown and ran for another. Montel Harris rushed for two scores in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory for the Owls. The win was the first in Big East play for Temple since 2004, as the Owls returned to the conference after seven seasons away.
Up Next
The Owls return to Philadelphia to face #21 Memphis at noon.
Last Week
The Owls defeated SMU 60-40 in Dallas. P.J. Walker threw for four touchdowns and ran for another. Freshman running back Jager Gardner scored on a 94-yard run, the longest from scrimmage in Temple history. Temple set a new scoring high in the Matt Rhule era, edging the 59 in the shutout of Delaware State last season at Lincoln Financial Field.
Game Notes | Conference Release | Coach Rhule's Press Conference
Players Mentioned
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QB
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Ep. 2: Temple Football Alum Tyler Matakevich || Gymnastics Junior Amelia Budd
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