Temple University Athletics
Friday, November 6
Gerald J. Ford Stadium - Dallas
8:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
SMU
Photo by: Vladimir Cherry
#22/23/23 Football Heads to Texas to Battle SMU
11.3.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -- Fresh off a #22 spot in the first College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings of the season, Temple takes on SMU on the road on Friday night. The ESPN2 game kicks off at 8:00 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
This Week
#22 CFP/23 AP/23 USA Today-Amway Temple opens November with a return to conference and weeknight play, heading to SMU. Last time out, then #21/22 Temple finished its non-conference slate with a 24-20 loss against #9/9 Notre Dame at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. SMU hosted conference foe Tulsa on Halloween, falling 40-31.
The Owls lead the American Athletic Conference's East Division with a 4-0 record entering the regular season's final month. Temple's return to traditional offense has payed off this season. Junior running back Jahad Thomas has emerged as the workhorse back and currently leads the conference in rushing with 904 yards. He has also scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game, 13 in all. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has continued his strong season with ten touchdowns over the season. The offensive line has done a great job keeping Walker clean, allowing just four sacks in five games in October. Sophomore defensive end Justin Lawler from the Mustangs will challenge the veteran group. SMU fans will recognize one of Walker's top targets, redshirt senior wide receiver Robby Anderson. Anderson set conference records in the team's last meeting with the Mustangs, recording 239 yards receiving. Junior cornerback Darrian Richardson and his secondary unit will be responsible for defending the dynamic Owl wideouts.
The Mustangs are led by junior QB Matt Davis who has proven to be a dual-threat. He is responsible for 21 touchdowns this year (14 passing, seven rushing). He'll face a tough and veteran Owls defense. Led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich, the nation's active career leader in tackles, the Owls boast six different players with at least 100 career tackles. Temple plays exceptionally against the pass, leading the American in interceptions and second in sacks. Sophomore defensive back Sean Chandler currently leads the team in passes defended. Senior defensive lineman Nate D. Smith leads the Owls in sacks with 5.5.
The Last Time
Temple and SMU played the highest-scoring game in Owls' history, with the Mustangs coming out 59-49 winners in Dallas on October 26, 2013. Temple challenged a team record, racking up 593 total yards in the game. P.J. Walker threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another, while Robby Anderson set a new school record with 239 yards
receiving on nine catches, including an 83-yard catch from WR Jalen Fitzpatrick. However the Mustangs accumulated 728 yards in the game, including 538 in the air.
Up Next
The Owls conclude their road schedule of 2015 with a showdown in Tampa against division rival USF. (Game time to be announced on 11/8.)
Last Week
The Owls dropped a 24-20 heartbreaker to #9/9 Notre Dame in front of a record crowd of 69,280 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Game Notes | Conference Notes | Press Conference
This Week
#22 CFP/23 AP/23 USA Today-Amway Temple opens November with a return to conference and weeknight play, heading to SMU. Last time out, then #21/22 Temple finished its non-conference slate with a 24-20 loss against #9/9 Notre Dame at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday. SMU hosted conference foe Tulsa on Halloween, falling 40-31.
The Owls lead the American Athletic Conference's East Division with a 4-0 record entering the regular season's final month. Temple's return to traditional offense has payed off this season. Junior running back Jahad Thomas has emerged as the workhorse back and currently leads the conference in rushing with 904 yards. He has also scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game, 13 in all. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has continued his strong season with ten touchdowns over the season. The offensive line has done a great job keeping Walker clean, allowing just four sacks in five games in October. Sophomore defensive end Justin Lawler from the Mustangs will challenge the veteran group. SMU fans will recognize one of Walker's top targets, redshirt senior wide receiver Robby Anderson. Anderson set conference records in the team's last meeting with the Mustangs, recording 239 yards receiving. Junior cornerback Darrian Richardson and his secondary unit will be responsible for defending the dynamic Owl wideouts.
The Mustangs are led by junior QB Matt Davis who has proven to be a dual-threat. He is responsible for 21 touchdowns this year (14 passing, seven rushing). He'll face a tough and veteran Owls defense. Led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich, the nation's active career leader in tackles, the Owls boast six different players with at least 100 career tackles. Temple plays exceptionally against the pass, leading the American in interceptions and second in sacks. Sophomore defensive back Sean Chandler currently leads the team in passes defended. Senior defensive lineman Nate D. Smith leads the Owls in sacks with 5.5.
The Last Time
Temple and SMU played the highest-scoring game in Owls' history, with the Mustangs coming out 59-49 winners in Dallas on October 26, 2013. Temple challenged a team record, racking up 593 total yards in the game. P.J. Walker threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another, while Robby Anderson set a new school record with 239 yards
receiving on nine catches, including an 83-yard catch from WR Jalen Fitzpatrick. However the Mustangs accumulated 728 yards in the game, including 538 in the air.
Up Next
The Owls conclude their road schedule of 2015 with a showdown in Tampa against division rival USF. (Game time to be announced on 11/8.)
Last Week
The Owls dropped a 24-20 heartbreaker to #9/9 Notre Dame in front of a record crowd of 69,280 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Game Notes | Conference Notes | Press Conference
Players Mentioned
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DB
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DL
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RB
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QB
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