"Just the Facts" Machine

News & Notes Following Temple's 31-10 loss at Houston

Temple entered the game having surrendered just 14 points all season on turnovers. Houston matched that total scoring directly on one INT and following up on another with a 2-play, 26-yard TD drive.

After collecting 17 takeaways in the first four games, Temple's defense has now gone two straight without one.

For the first time this season, Temple never had the lead in the game. They trailed after 7:41 in the game and were behind for 52:19. Prior to the game, Temple had trailed a total of 53:21 over the first five games. The last time Temple never led was vs. Louisville on 10/5/13.

In Temple's two losses they have surrendered exactly 31 points each time (vs. Navy, and at Houston). In four losses they have allowed a total of 41 points.

QB P.J. Walker entered the game with just four turnovers all season (4 INTs, no fumbles). He matched that at Houston (3 INTs, one fumble).

RB Jahad Thomas, who had recorded the Owls longest play from scrimmage entering the game (68-yard run vs. Tulsa), topped it twice within the Houston game. In the first quarter he took a screen pass 72-yards and in the third quarter he took another screen pass 74-yards. He finished with 3-150 receiving. The Owls now have had a player top the century mark in receiving in three consecutive games [Jalen Fitzpatrick at UConn (108), Fitzpatrick (107) and Jamie Gilmore (100) vs. Tulsa].

Thomas is averaging nearly 10–yards per touch. He is 46-307 rushing (6.7 ypt) and 7-216 receiving (30.9 ypt) this season.

Temple struck for six big plays totaling 261 yards – runs of 20 and 31 yards and receptions of 25, 39, 72, and 74 yards. They finished the game with 357 yards on 49 plays from scrimmage.

WR Jalen Fitzpatrick had a streak of five straight games with a TD snapped.

In just his second game with Temple, sophomore WR Keith Kirkwood caught his first pass as an Owl – a 39-yard TD from Walker. He finished 2-447-1TD.

Junior DT Matt Ioannidis had his best game recording career-highs in tackles (10), solos (5), TFL (2.5) and sacks (1.0).

FS Alex Wells returned to the starting lineup and tied a game-leading 10 tackles (4 solos).

Redshirt LB Stephaun Marshall recorded his first career sack.

"Just the Facts" Machine

Players Mentioned

Jalen Fitzpatrick

Jamie Gilmore

Matt Ioannidis

Keith Kirkwood

Stephaun Marshall

Jahad Thomas

Phillip Walker

Alex Wells

Temple University Athletics