Temple University Athletics
Thursday, October 6
Liberty Bowl - Memphis
8:00 p.m.
Temple University
3-3 , 1-1
27
at
34
Memphis
4-1 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Temple
6
7
0
14
27
MEMPHIS
0
3
17
14
34
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Temple Falls Short Against Memphis, 34-27
10.7.16 | Football
MEMPHIS — Under the hostile lights of the Liberty Bowl and fighting a crowd 34,743 strong, Temple struggled to overcome the obstacles of a tough road venue as fellow American Conference foe Memphis outpaced the Owls in a 34-27 shootout.
After winning two straight, the Owls' defense of last season's Eastern Division title took a hit as the team drops to 1-1 in conference play and 3-3 overall. Memphis, meanwhile, bounces back after a close loss last week to No. 14 Ole Miss, surging to a 1-0 American record and a 4-1 mark for the year.
In a true "tale of two halves" game, Temple jumped out to a commanding 13-3 lead in the first half only to surrender that edge over the course of the final two quarters. The Owls started the game with serious energy and poise on both sides of the ball, but a few big plays by the Tigers buried Temple down the stretch.
The third quarter flipped the game for the Owls, as the team watched their 13-3 advantage evaporate into a 20-13 deficit, with both of Memphis' touchdowns coming over a 51-second span in the final two minutes of the period.
The first was the result of Tigers' RB Doroland Dorceus, who broke off a 71-yard dash up the middle, while the second came on a tipped pass turned pick-six by Memphis LB Genard Avery two plays later.
The final quarter, even with some positive results, failed to change the game's eventual outcome, as senior QB Phillip Walker threw his second interception of the night, ending the Owls' hopes of a comeback.
After Memphis RB Darrell Henderson capped a seven-play drive with a 28-yard scoring rush to kickoff the period, Walker found fellow senior RB Jahad Thomas on a 61-yard touchdown pass to narrow the lead to just one possession. Memphis immediately responded on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 95 yards to the house as the Tigers tried keep the Owls at arms length.
Temple set itself up again to close the gap a drive later as Walker connected with Thomas for the duo's second score, this time on a nine-yard screen, cutting the deficit again to just seven. A running into the punter penalty cut the Owls' last chance drive down to just 50 seconds, and the late interception sealed the loss.
On the day, though, Walker finished with career highs across the board, posting a school record in passing attempts (59) while tying in completions (36) and passing yards (445). He joins Henry Burris (445 yards vs, Pitt, 1996) as the only Owl signal-callers to pass for more than 400 yards in a game. Thomas impressed as well, grabbing six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns along with 37 yards on the ground. It marked his fourth straight game with two touchdowns.
And while the second half looked like a shootout, the first half played out much more like a defensive struggle.
A pair of field goals from 31 and 23 yards out, respectively, from junior K Austin Jones gave Temple an early lead. Late in the first half following a gusty fourth-and-three conversion on Walker toss to senior TE Colin Thompson, sophomore RB Ryquell Armstead punched in the game's opening touchdown from two yards out.
The true story of the first half for the Owls, though, came on the defensive side of the ball.
Led by a suffocating defensive line, the Owls contained the high-octane Memphis offense to just a late field goal and 111 total yards. Tigers' QB Riley Ferguson was visibly uncomfortable throughout both quarters, overthrowing wideouts and struggling to find space in a tight pocket.
Ferguson and his offense were able to regroup during halftime, generating over double their initial production. However, two non-offensive touchdowns for the Tigers saved their lead late as both the kickoff return and the pick-six shifted momentum towards Memphis.
Redshirt senior DL Haasan Reddick led the Owls' defense with 11 tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks.
Next up for the Temple is its second conference road test of the season, as the team travels to Orlando, Florida to battle UCF. As for Memphis, the Tigers look to their first American road trip, booking a trip to New Orelans, Louisiana to face Tulane.
Box Score | Matt Rhule Press Conference | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
After winning two straight, the Owls' defense of last season's Eastern Division title took a hit as the team drops to 1-1 in conference play and 3-3 overall. Memphis, meanwhile, bounces back after a close loss last week to No. 14 Ole Miss, surging to a 1-0 American record and a 4-1 mark for the year.
In a true "tale of two halves" game, Temple jumped out to a commanding 13-3 lead in the first half only to surrender that edge over the course of the final two quarters. The Owls started the game with serious energy and poise on both sides of the ball, but a few big plays by the Tigers buried Temple down the stretch.
The third quarter flipped the game for the Owls, as the team watched their 13-3 advantage evaporate into a 20-13 deficit, with both of Memphis' touchdowns coming over a 51-second span in the final two minutes of the period.
The first was the result of Tigers' RB Doroland Dorceus, who broke off a 71-yard dash up the middle, while the second came on a tipped pass turned pick-six by Memphis LB Genard Avery two plays later.
The final quarter, even with some positive results, failed to change the game's eventual outcome, as senior QB Phillip Walker threw his second interception of the night, ending the Owls' hopes of a comeback.
After Memphis RB Darrell Henderson capped a seven-play drive with a 28-yard scoring rush to kickoff the period, Walker found fellow senior RB Jahad Thomas on a 61-yard touchdown pass to narrow the lead to just one possession. Memphis immediately responded on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 95 yards to the house as the Tigers tried keep the Owls at arms length.
Temple set itself up again to close the gap a drive later as Walker connected with Thomas for the duo's second score, this time on a nine-yard screen, cutting the deficit again to just seven. A running into the punter penalty cut the Owls' last chance drive down to just 50 seconds, and the late interception sealed the loss.
On the day, though, Walker finished with career highs across the board, posting a school record in passing attempts (59) while tying in completions (36) and passing yards (445). He joins Henry Burris (445 yards vs, Pitt, 1996) as the only Owl signal-callers to pass for more than 400 yards in a game. Thomas impressed as well, grabbing six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns along with 37 yards on the ground. It marked his fourth straight game with two touchdowns.
And while the second half looked like a shootout, the first half played out much more like a defensive struggle.
A pair of field goals from 31 and 23 yards out, respectively, from junior K Austin Jones gave Temple an early lead. Late in the first half following a gusty fourth-and-three conversion on Walker toss to senior TE Colin Thompson, sophomore RB Ryquell Armstead punched in the game's opening touchdown from two yards out.
The true story of the first half for the Owls, though, came on the defensive side of the ball.
Led by a suffocating defensive line, the Owls contained the high-octane Memphis offense to just a late field goal and 111 total yards. Tigers' QB Riley Ferguson was visibly uncomfortable throughout both quarters, overthrowing wideouts and struggling to find space in a tight pocket.
Ferguson and his offense were able to regroup during halftime, generating over double their initial production. However, two non-offensive touchdowns for the Tigers saved their lead late as both the kickoff return and the pick-six shifted momentum towards Memphis.
Redshirt senior DL Haasan Reddick led the Owls' defense with 11 tackles, including four for a loss, and two sacks.
Next up for the Temple is its second conference road test of the season, as the team travels to Orlando, Florida to battle UCF. As for Memphis, the Tigers look to their first American road trip, booking a trip to New Orelans, Louisiana to face Tulane.
Box Score | Matt Rhule Press Conference | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
Team Stats
TEM
MEM
Total Yards
531
323
Pass Yards
445
174
Rushing Yards
86
149
Penalty Yards
61
25
1st Downs
27
15
3rd Downs
4
5
4th Downs
1
0
TOP
38:15
21:45
1st Quarter
TEM 3, MEM 0
TEM - JONES,Austin 31 yd field goal 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 3:52
TEM 6, MEM 0
TEM - JONES,Austin 23 yd field goal 4 plays, 0 yards, TOP 1:31
2nd Quarter
TEM 13, MEM 0
TEM - ARMSTEAD,R. 2 yd run (JONES,Austin kick), 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 7:23
TEM 13, MEM 3
MEM - ELLIOTT, Jake 19 yd field goal 12 plays, 73 yards, TOP 2:15
3rd Quarter
TEM 13, MEM 6
MEM - ELLIOTT, Jake 42 yd field goal 5 plays, 20 yards, TOP 1:16
TEM 13, MEM 13
MEM - DORCEUS, D. 71 yd run (ELLIOTT, Jake kick), 2 plays, 85 yards, TOP 0:29
TEM 13, MEM 20
MEM - AVERY, Genard 23 yd interception (ELLIOTT, Jake kick)
4th Quarter
TEM 13, MEM 27
MEM - HENDERSON, D. 28 yd run (ELLIOTT, Jake kick), 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:28
TEM 20, MEM 27
TEM - THOMAS,Jahad 61 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (JONES,Austin kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:27
TEM 20, MEM 34
MEM - POLLARD, Tony 95 yd kickoff return (ELLIOTT, Jake kick)
TEM 27, MEM 34
TEM - THOMAS,Jahad 9 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (BOUMERHI,Aaron kick) 10 plays, 84 yards, TOP 2:40
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
36
TD
2
YDS
445
INT
2
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
TE
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