Temple University Athletics
"Just the Facts" Machine
10.25.15 | Football
News & Notes Following Temple's 24-14 win at East Carolina
Temple now has a 7-0 record, the best start in program history. The Owls were 6-0 in 1974, 1945 and 1935. In '74 they finished 8-2, '45 ended at 7-1, and '35 saw a 7-3 finish. The 10-2 record in 1979 was Temple's most wins in a season.
With seven wins, Temple is bowl eligible. It is the fifth time Temple has reached bowl eligibility in the last seven seasons.
Temple didn't turn over the ball for the first time since facing East Carolina on 11/2/14.
For just the second time this season, Temple won the turnover battle. However, for the first time this season they lost the time of possession.
The defense posted its fourth second half shutout of the season. In addition, the unit has held opponents out of the end zone in the second half of each of the last four games. Overall, they have allowed just 29 second half points this season.
For the second straight game the offensive line did not allow a sack, In fact, the unit has allowed just two sacks in the last four games and just a total of eight in the seven games this season.
Junior RB Jahad Thomas scored two rushing TDs. He now has scored at least one TD in each game and has a total of 12 rushing TDs (plus one receiving and one kickoff return) for the season.
Redshirt senior WR Robby Anderson had a season best 8 catches for 126 yards and a TD. It was Temple's first 100+ yard receiving effort of the season and it was the third of Anderson's career. Five of Anderson's receptions went for first downs including a 51-yarder and 23-yard TD on the go ahead scoring drive with 3:31 remaining in the game.
Senior LB Tyler Matakevich tied a season-high with 13 tackles, including a sack, and added his fourth interception of the season. It was the first time he had a full sack and an INT in the same game. He continues to lead all active NCAA players with 420 career tackles. The senior has stepped up his play this year with career-highs in INTs (4) and sacks (4.0). He entered the year with just 2 INTs and 2.5 sacks to his career.
The Avenger
Matt Rhule has made the most of his second chances. Since getting off to a rough start as a head coach, he has been able to get revenge on some early losses. In games where he had previously lost to opponents he has been able to come back and beat them the second time around.
*Both Cincinnati and UCF won their first two games against Rhule before he defeated them in 2015.
#Temple defeated Memphis in the first matchup under Rhule on 11/30/13.
Houston is the only team that Rhule has faced twice and has failed to beat at least once.
Rhule has not had an opportunity to avenge early losses against Fordham, Idaho, Louisville, Rutgers, and Navy.
Â
Temple now has a 7-0 record, the best start in program history. The Owls were 6-0 in 1974, 1945 and 1935. In '74 they finished 8-2, '45 ended at 7-1, and '35 saw a 7-3 finish. The 10-2 record in 1979 was Temple's most wins in a season.
With seven wins, Temple is bowl eligible. It is the fifth time Temple has reached bowl eligibility in the last seven seasons.
Temple didn't turn over the ball for the first time since facing East Carolina on 11/2/14.
For just the second time this season, Temple won the turnover battle. However, for the first time this season they lost the time of possession.
The defense posted its fourth second half shutout of the season. In addition, the unit has held opponents out of the end zone in the second half of each of the last four games. Overall, they have allowed just 29 second half points this season.
For the second straight game the offensive line did not allow a sack, In fact, the unit has allowed just two sacks in the last four games and just a total of eight in the seven games this season.
Junior RB Jahad Thomas scored two rushing TDs. He now has scored at least one TD in each game and has a total of 12 rushing TDs (plus one receiving and one kickoff return) for the season.
Redshirt senior WR Robby Anderson had a season best 8 catches for 126 yards and a TD. It was Temple's first 100+ yard receiving effort of the season and it was the third of Anderson's career. Five of Anderson's receptions went for first downs including a 51-yarder and 23-yard TD on the go ahead scoring drive with 3:31 remaining in the game.
Senior LB Tyler Matakevich tied a season-high with 13 tackles, including a sack, and added his fourth interception of the season. It was the first time he had a full sack and an INT in the same game. He continues to lead all active NCAA players with 420 career tackles. The senior has stepped up his play this year with career-highs in INTs (4) and sacks (4.0). He entered the year with just 2 INTs and 2.5 sacks to his career.
The Avenger
Matt Rhule has made the most of his second chances. Since getting off to a rough start as a head coach, he has been able to get revenge on some early losses. In games where he had previously lost to opponents he has been able to come back and beat them the second time around.
| UConn | 11/23/13 | L, 21-28 | 9/27/14 | W, 36-10 |
| Penn State | 11/15/14 | L, 13-30 | 9/5/15 | W, 27-10 |
| *Cincinnati | 10/11/14 | L, 6-14 | 9/12/15 | W, 34-26 |
| *UCF | 10/25/14 | L, 14-34 | 10/17/15 | W, 30-16 |
| Notre Dame | 8/31/13 | L, 6-28 | 10/31/15 | ??? |
| SMU | 10/26/13 | L, 49-59 | 11/6/15 | ??? |
| #Memphis | 11/7/14 | L, 13-16 | 11/21/15 | ??? |
*Both Cincinnati and UCF won their first two games against Rhule before he defeated them in 2015.
#Temple defeated Memphis in the first matchup under Rhule on 11/30/13.
Houston is the only team that Rhule has faced twice and has failed to beat at least once.
Rhule has not had an opportunity to avenge early losses against Fordham, Idaho, Louisville, Rutgers, and Navy.
Â
Players Mentioned
Ep. 7: Temple Field Hockey Alumna Cherifa Howarth
Friday, September 26
Ep. 6: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Field Hockey's Peyton Rieger
Tuesday, September 23
Evan Simon, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Eric Stuart, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
