Temple Falls to Wake Forest in Military Bowl, 34-26

Tuesday, December 27

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.

3:30 p.m.

Temple University

10-4

Wake Forest

7-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Temple

Temple Falls to Wake Forest in Military Bowl, 34-26

12.27.16 | Football

Box Score Box Score Ed Foley Press Conference Ed Foley Press Conference Game Action Gallery

By: Jim Sullivan

ANNAPOLIS — Facing off in the program's first ever back-to-back postseason appearance, No. 24 Temple came up short, 34-26, against ACC opponent Wake Forest in the Military Bowl Tuesday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Following the loss, the Owls fell to 10-4 (7-1 American) on the season, failing to reach the record 11^th win Temple has been chasing these past two seasons. Despite falling behind 31-7 in the first half, Temple came surging back in the second, scoring two touchdowns and three field goals before coming up short on the final drive.

Right out of the gate, Temple showed its resolve on both sides of the ball, initially forcing an interception on the third play from scrimmage to set up the offense in ideal field position. Senior QB Phillip Walker and Co. took advantage one snap later, dropping in a 48-yard dime to junior WR Adonis Jennings, who carried his defender into the end zone.

Unfortunately, the Wake Forest offense woke up two possessions later, scoring on each of their next five drives up to the end of the first half. First, Demon Deacon QB John Wolford found his tight end on a 41-yard pass up the centerline to even the score at seven apiece. Next, after an Owls' three-and-out, Wake Forest drove 54 yards to another end zone appearance, this time a 20-yard pass from Wolford.

A muffed punt by Temple DB Sean Chandler set up the Demon Deacons inside the Owls' 10-yard line, leading to an 8-yard rush for yet-another touchdown. During the second quarter, the Wake Forest onslaught continued, as Wolford led his unit to, first, a field goal before wrapping up the half with a three-yard touchdown rush.

Temple responded in its final possession of the first half, knocking in a 45-yard field goal by freshman Aaron Boumerhi after an 11-play, 54-yard drive.

Similar to how the game began, the Owls' offense saw a spark from Jennings as the second half kicked off, this time watching the junior weave his way through the Demon Deacon defense for a 58-yard score just three snaps in.

The defense held its ground on the ensuing possession, as sophomore DB Delvon Randall intercepted Wake Forest in the end zone to squash any Demon Deacon response. Behind the efforts of Walker and multiple downfield connections, including two perfectly placed darts to sophomore WR Ventell Bryant and junior WR Keith Kirkwood, the Owls set up Boumerhi for his second field goal attempt.

On the following two possessions, after two punts from Wake Forest, Temple looked to Boumerhi yet again, watching the freshman all-conference selection drill his third and fourth field goals of the day from 32 and 38 yards out, cutting the score to under one possession.

Wake Forest extended its lead back to eight points after a field goal of their own, ensuring the Owls would need both a touchdown and two-point conversion to force overtime. Unfortunately for Temple, the offense was unable to convert a first down as the Demon Deacons took over on downs and were able to kneel the ball to secure their victory.

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