Temple University Athletics
Saturday, December 5
Houston, Texas
12:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
Houston
Photo by: Thomas Shea
Football Travels to Houston for First American Athletic Conference Championship Game
12.1.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - #22 Temple football travels to Houston on Saturday, Dec. 5 to face the Cougars in the inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game on ABC at noon. The Owls made it after defeating UConn 27-3 on Senior Day at Lincoln Financial Field while Houston beat Navy 52-31 for the right to host the game. This will be the first time Temple plays for a conference championship.
Temple won the East Division with a 7-1 conference record and did so with a strong, balanced offense. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has surpassed 2,000 yards for the third consecutive season and junior running back Jahad Thomas earned his first 1,000-yard season on the ground. Senior wide receiver Robby Anderson leads a deep group of receivers and is just the seventh Owl with 50 catches in a season. Redshirt freshman wideout Ventell Bryant has shattered all freshman records in his breakthrough season. Protecting Walker is a strong offensive line that has created the nation's best time of possession improvement since 2014. Houston brings a strong defense to challenge the Owls, led by senior defensive back William Jackson III.
Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. leads a potent attack for the Cougars, who went 11-1 this season, losing only at UConn. He finished the regular season with 69.3% completion rate and over 3,000 yards in total offense, with 16 throwing and 17 rushing touchdowns. He'll face one of the nation's top defenses in the Owls. Led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich, Temple's defense has been the difference in many of Temple's wins this year. Senior defensive back Tavon Young leads a very strong secondary that has picked off more passes this season then touchdowns allowed (16-11). The defensive line, keyed by seniors Nate D. Smith, Matt Ioannidis, and Hershey Walton, have contributed 32 sacks and are top-10 nationally in tackles for loss.
The Last Time
Houston defeated Temple 31-10 last season at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars raced out to a 10-0 lead early and two Greg Ward Jr. touchdown passes in the third quarter solidified their advantage. P.J. Walker threw for 259 yards and a touchdown for the Owls but was plagued by turnovers, with three interceptions and a fumble while trying to run in a score to tie the game at 17. Jahad Thomas had 199 yards from scrimmage, including a 74-yard gain on a screen pass to get the Owls to first and goal. The Owls defense sacked Ward three times.
A Second Chance to Make a First Impression
Temple and Houston met in the first American Athletic Conference game on September 7, 2013. Saturday, they will meet in the first-ever American Athletic Conference Championship Game.
Up Next
The Owls await their destination and opponent for a bowl game. A win could earn Temple access to a New Year's Six game as the highest ranked Group of Five conference champion.
Game Notes | Coach Rhule's Press Conference
Temple won the East Division with a 7-1 conference record and did so with a strong, balanced offense. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker has surpassed 2,000 yards for the third consecutive season and junior running back Jahad Thomas earned his first 1,000-yard season on the ground. Senior wide receiver Robby Anderson leads a deep group of receivers and is just the seventh Owl with 50 catches in a season. Redshirt freshman wideout Ventell Bryant has shattered all freshman records in his breakthrough season. Protecting Walker is a strong offensive line that has created the nation's best time of possession improvement since 2014. Houston brings a strong defense to challenge the Owls, led by senior defensive back William Jackson III.
Junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. leads a potent attack for the Cougars, who went 11-1 this season, losing only at UConn. He finished the regular season with 69.3% completion rate and over 3,000 yards in total offense, with 16 throwing and 17 rushing touchdowns. He'll face one of the nation's top defenses in the Owls. Led by senior linebacker Tyler Matakevich, Temple's defense has been the difference in many of Temple's wins this year. Senior defensive back Tavon Young leads a very strong secondary that has picked off more passes this season then touchdowns allowed (16-11). The defensive line, keyed by seniors Nate D. Smith, Matt Ioannidis, and Hershey Walton, have contributed 32 sacks and are top-10 nationally in tackles for loss.
The Last Time
Houston defeated Temple 31-10 last season at TDECU Stadium. The Cougars raced out to a 10-0 lead early and two Greg Ward Jr. touchdown passes in the third quarter solidified their advantage. P.J. Walker threw for 259 yards and a touchdown for the Owls but was plagued by turnovers, with three interceptions and a fumble while trying to run in a score to tie the game at 17. Jahad Thomas had 199 yards from scrimmage, including a 74-yard gain on a screen pass to get the Owls to first and goal. The Owls defense sacked Ward three times.
A Second Chance to Make a First Impression
Temple and Houston met in the first American Athletic Conference game on September 7, 2013. Saturday, they will meet in the first-ever American Athletic Conference Championship Game.
Up Next
The Owls await their destination and opponent for a bowl game. A win could earn Temple access to a New Year's Six game as the highest ranked Group of Five conference champion.
Game Notes | Coach Rhule's Press Conference
Players Mentioned
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