Army Shocks Temple in Football Opener, 28-13

Friday, September 2

Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia

7:00 p.m.

Temple University

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Army West Point

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ARMY

Temple

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Army Shocks Temple in Football Opener, 28-13

9.2.16 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery (Pre-Game)Photo Gallery (Action)Matt Rhule Press Conference Qoutes Phillip Walker Press Conference Avery Williams Press Conference

By: Jim Sullivan

PHILADELPHIA - Army utilized its famed triple option running attack to march up and down the field to upset the Temple Owls, 28-13, in the season opener for both teams Friday night in front of 34,005 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. The Black Knights accumulated 329 rushing yards on 67 carries with fullback Andy Davidson leading the way with 121 yards and two TDs.

Temple struggled throughout the game to find any offensive rhythm, with the defense unable to slow down the Army ground game. The Army offense controlled the line-of-scrimmage and dominated the time-of-possession in both halves.

Head coach Matt Rhule reiterated the Owls mistakes following the loss, targeting turnovers, quarterback protection and red zone efficiency.

"We looked good early on at times, but when times got hard we couldn't react," Rhule said. "That is not the team that we want to have. I thought defensively, we couldn't stop Army. Offensively, we couldn't capitalize. We got the ball in the red zone three times and could not produce. We had three turnovers, Army had none. We could not protect the quarterback. That's on me. We have three losses in a row and we have to do something, quickly, to get ourselves back on track."

Senior QB Phillip Walker and the offense found no movement through the air or on the ground in the second half, scoring just a field goal. However, the four-year starter was able to break the school record for career passing yards in the contest.

On the day, Walker compiled a solid 168 yards on 12 completions through the air, throwing three costly interceptions with no scores. The senior snapped former QB Henry Burris' record of 7,495 passing yards on Temple's opening drive of the second half, finding Keith Kirkwood on a short checkdown pass in the right sideline for 14 yards. He now has 7,541 passing yards for his Owl career.

Meanwhile, RB Ryquell Armstead shouldered the load for the running back corps, racking up career-high 79 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown. The sophomore's strong performance gives the backfield some much-needed depth, as the Owls' usual starter Jahad Thomas sat out with a hand injury.

The scoring came slowly throughout, with Armstead's only touchdown starting things off early in the second quarter. Army quickly matched the following series behind the efforts of QB Ahmad Bradshaw, who snuck his way into the endzone utilizing the Black Knights' rarely seen triple option offense.

Despite the Temple offense consistently working its way up and down the field, the Owls struggled finishing drives, owing its slim 10-7 halftime lead to excellent field position granted by a senior DL Sharif Finch blocked punt, the fifth of his career.

The second half seemed to continue a similar story as the Owl defense surrendered an opening 77-yard drive and their lead to the Black Knights, capped by Davidson's surge passed the goal line.

Even with junior PK Austin Jones' field goal closing the gap, Army continued to manhandle the Owl defensive front, methodically converting positive gains for its third touchdown of the game. The Black Knight defense followed suit on the ensuing drive, shutting down Walker for a quick three-and-out.

The Owls had a chance in the final minutes as Army, leading 21-13, missed a field goal with 3:41. Temple took possession on its own 30-yard line, but Walker was picked off two plays later by Kenneth Brinson. The Black Knights then iced the game on a 17-yard TD run by Davidson with 2:28 on the clock. Walker tossed his final interception of the night on the final drive.

Defensively, impressive individual performances by senior linebackers Avery Williams (career-high 12 tackles) and Jarred Alwan (9 tackles), not to mention senior cornerback Sean Chandler (10 tackles), failed to slow the Army triple-option onslaught. For the Black Knights, Davidson and Bradshaw led the way, combining for 185 yards on 38 carries with three touchdowns.

Up next for Temple is FCS member Stony Brook, who will visit Lincoln Financial Field next week. Game time is 1:00 p.m. with the first 3,000 fans receiving Temple T Superhero Capes.

Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery (Action) | Photo Gallery (Pre-Game) | Quotes