Temple University Athletics
Saturday, September 24
Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia
12:00 p.m.
Temple University
2-2
48
vs
20
Charlotte (Homecoming)
1-3
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
CHARLOTTE
7
0
7
6
20
Temple
3
28
14
3
48
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Football Celebrates Homecoming with 48-20 win over Charlotte
9.24.16 | Football
PHILADELPHIA — Temple recovered quickly from a slow start in its Homecoming matchup against Charlotte, posting its second victory of the season with a dominant 48-20 decision over the 49ers in front of 27,786 fans Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
A trio of Owl big plays highlighted the first half, as senior offensive stars QB Phillip Walker and RB Jahad Thomas created points both through the air and on the ground, building a comfortable 31-7 halftime lead.
Temple head coach Matt Rhule discussed how his offense was able to rattle the 49er defense with an up-tempo speed and few big plays downfield, finally finding a rhythm early in the second quarter with Walker under center.
"We kind of came out no huddle early and tried to open them up a little bit, just tire them out," Rhule said. "I think we just kind of settled down on offense, got into a rhythm and I think what you're seeing is when we are able to get our quarterback into a rhythm, he's playing pretty well."
After opening the game with a long drive capped by junior Austin Jones' 36-yard field goal, Temple sputtered until the initial play of the second quarter. On a brilliantly faked play-action pass, Walker threw a rope to junior WR Adonis Jennings down the left sideline for a 51-yard score, reclaiming the lead for good.
From that point on, the offensive floodgates remained permanently open for the Owls, as the Charlotte defense watched Walker and company become increasingly more effective.
Next up, a fumble recovery by senior DE Praise Martin-Oguike — returned 20 yards by the hulking defensive lineman — was promptly converted into touchdown on a Thomas 13-yard dance into the endzone.
Walker stepped up on the Owls' ensuing drive, dropping a 40-yard dime to WR Brodrick Yancy who then proceeded to break a tackle and stride in for the second score of his young career. The sophomore wideout topped his previous career mark for receiving yards, snaring four receptions for a team-best 70 yards.
Another sophomore, this time RB Ryquell Armstead, grabbed the spotlight in Temple's final possession of the half, punching in a touchdown of his own a one-yard dive at the goal line.
As for the defense, a lone scoring drive in the first quarter sullied their near-perfect perrformance for the half. Senior signal-digit linebackers Avery Williams and Stephaun Marshall led the way with five tackles each while Martin-Oguike earned the lone turnover.
The third quarter sang the same tune as the 28-point second for Temple offensively, as two consecutive methodical drives finished in rushing scores to start the period. Both Thomas and Armstead each secured their second endzone appearance, making sharp cuts for one-yard touchdowns.
Leading 45-14 late in the quarter, redshirt freshman reserve QB Logan Marchi replaced Walker as the signal caller for the Owls. The young quarterback proceeded to manufacture a drive deep into 49er territory, setting up Jones' second field goal of the game, this time a 31-yarder.
On the day, Walker finished an impressive 15-of-26 for 268 passing yards and two touchdowns, adding two rushes for 18 yards on the ground. Thomas supplemented the offensive effort in multiple ways, earning a team-best 15 carries for 70 yards and two scores along with three receptions for 49 yards through the air.
The two touchdowns for the senior running back marked the 23rd and 24th of his storied career with the Owls, jumping him to third all-time in program history.
An imposing defensive effort throughout the game was capped on Charlotte's final possession, as the Owls' second-string unit held its ground inside the Temple 10-yard line and forced a turnover-on-downs. Ultimately, the 49ers proficiency on offense — 429 total yards — was never converted into consistent scoring, as the Temple bend-don't-break mantle held firm.
As for Rhule, the fourth-year head coach remains undefeated in Homecoming matchups with the Owls, improving Temple's streak to eight straight.
With the decisive victory, the Owls end their non-conference slate an even 2-2 (0-0 American). Up next on the schedule for Temple is fellow American Athletic Conference foe SMU (2-2, 0-0 American), who will visit Lincoln Financial next Saturday (Noon) as both programs kickoff conference play in the Owls' first opportunity to defend their East Division Title.
Final Stats | Video Highlights | Pre-Game Gallery | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
Press Conferences: Rhule | Thomas | Walker
A trio of Owl big plays highlighted the first half, as senior offensive stars QB Phillip Walker and RB Jahad Thomas created points both through the air and on the ground, building a comfortable 31-7 halftime lead.
Temple head coach Matt Rhule discussed how his offense was able to rattle the 49er defense with an up-tempo speed and few big plays downfield, finally finding a rhythm early in the second quarter with Walker under center.
"We kind of came out no huddle early and tried to open them up a little bit, just tire them out," Rhule said. "I think we just kind of settled down on offense, got into a rhythm and I think what you're seeing is when we are able to get our quarterback into a rhythm, he's playing pretty well."
After opening the game with a long drive capped by junior Austin Jones' 36-yard field goal, Temple sputtered until the initial play of the second quarter. On a brilliantly faked play-action pass, Walker threw a rope to junior WR Adonis Jennings down the left sideline for a 51-yard score, reclaiming the lead for good.
From that point on, the offensive floodgates remained permanently open for the Owls, as the Charlotte defense watched Walker and company become increasingly more effective.
Next up, a fumble recovery by senior DE Praise Martin-Oguike — returned 20 yards by the hulking defensive lineman — was promptly converted into touchdown on a Thomas 13-yard dance into the endzone.
Walker stepped up on the Owls' ensuing drive, dropping a 40-yard dime to WR Brodrick Yancy who then proceeded to break a tackle and stride in for the second score of his young career. The sophomore wideout topped his previous career mark for receiving yards, snaring four receptions for a team-best 70 yards.
Another sophomore, this time RB Ryquell Armstead, grabbed the spotlight in Temple's final possession of the half, punching in a touchdown of his own a one-yard dive at the goal line.
As for the defense, a lone scoring drive in the first quarter sullied their near-perfect perrformance for the half. Senior signal-digit linebackers Avery Williams and Stephaun Marshall led the way with five tackles each while Martin-Oguike earned the lone turnover.
The third quarter sang the same tune as the 28-point second for Temple offensively, as two consecutive methodical drives finished in rushing scores to start the period. Both Thomas and Armstead each secured their second endzone appearance, making sharp cuts for one-yard touchdowns.
Leading 45-14 late in the quarter, redshirt freshman reserve QB Logan Marchi replaced Walker as the signal caller for the Owls. The young quarterback proceeded to manufacture a drive deep into 49er territory, setting up Jones' second field goal of the game, this time a 31-yarder.
On the day, Walker finished an impressive 15-of-26 for 268 passing yards and two touchdowns, adding two rushes for 18 yards on the ground. Thomas supplemented the offensive effort in multiple ways, earning a team-best 15 carries for 70 yards and two scores along with three receptions for 49 yards through the air.
The two touchdowns for the senior running back marked the 23rd and 24th of his storied career with the Owls, jumping him to third all-time in program history.
An imposing defensive effort throughout the game was capped on Charlotte's final possession, as the Owls' second-string unit held its ground inside the Temple 10-yard line and forced a turnover-on-downs. Ultimately, the 49ers proficiency on offense — 429 total yards — was never converted into consistent scoring, as the Temple bend-don't-break mantle held firm.
As for Rhule, the fourth-year head coach remains undefeated in Homecoming matchups with the Owls, improving Temple's streak to eight straight.
With the decisive victory, the Owls end their non-conference slate an even 2-2 (0-0 American). Up next on the schedule for Temple is fellow American Athletic Conference foe SMU (2-2, 0-0 American), who will visit Lincoln Financial next Saturday (Noon) as both programs kickoff conference play in the Owls' first opportunity to defend their East Division Title.
Final Stats | Video Highlights | Pre-Game Gallery | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
Press Conferences: Rhule | Thomas | Walker
Team Stats
CHAR
TEM
Total Yards
429
507
Pass Yards
198
297
Rushing Yards
231
210
Penalty Yards
40
31
1st Downs
25
26
3rd Downs
8
5
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
30:00
30:00
1st Quarter
CHAR 0, TEM 3
TEM - JONES,Austin 36 yd field goal 12 plays, 58 yards, TOP 5:02
CHAR 7, TEM 3
CHAR - KOFA, Workpeh 8 yd pass from OLSEN, Kevin (MUSCARELLO, S. kick) 16 plays, 88 yards, TOP 6:41
2nd Quarter
CHAR 7, TEM 10
TEM - JENNINGS,Adonis 51 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (JONES,Austin kick) 2 plays, 81 yards, TOP 0:42
CHAR 7, TEM 17
TEM - THOMAS,Jahad 13 yd run (JONES,Austin kick), 1 plays, 13 yards, TOP 0:07
CHAR 7, TEM 24
TEM - YANCY,Brodrick 40 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (JONES,Austin kick) 3 plays, 44 yards, TOP 1:29
CHAR 7, TEM 31
TEM - ARMSTEAD,R. 1 yd run (JONES,Austin kick), 6 plays, 46 yards, TOP 2:29
3rd Quarter
CHAR 14, TEM 31
CHAR - PHILLIPS, Kalif 66 yd run (MUSCARELLO, S. kick), 4 plays, 78 yards, TOP 1:26
CHAR 14, TEM 38
TEM - THOMAS,Jahad 1 yd run (JONES,Austin kick), 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 4:48
CHAR 14, TEM 45
TEM - ARMSTEAD,R. 1 yd run (JONES,Austin kick), 4 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:04
4th Quarter
CHAR 14, TEM 48
TEM - JONES,Austin 31 yd field goal 11 plays, 71 yards, TOP 5:22
CHAR 20, TEM 48
CHAR - WASHINGTON, R. 4 yd run (MUSCARELLO, S. kickfailed), 13 plays, 79 yards, TOP 4:11
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K
/ FootballQB
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LB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
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LB
/ Football
WR
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