Temple University Athletics
Saturday, November 18
Philadelphia, Pa.
12:00 p.m.
Temple University
vs
UCF
Football Prepped for Home Finale Against No. 15 UCF
11.13.17 | Football
This Week
Battling an icy cold front and hostile crowd under the Friday night lights, Temple took care of business on the road against division rival Cincinnati, knocking off the Bearcats 35-24 for the team's first back-to-back conference wins of the year. With the bowl eligibility on the line, the Owls turn their attention to their final home game of the season versus undefeated division leader No. 14 UCF, with the game set to kickoff Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. EST and air nationally on ESPNU.
This game will serve as Temple's annual Senior Day. The current senior class enters the game tied with the class of 2011 for a school record 31 wins and will play at Lincoln Financial Field for the final time.
Last Friday, Temple (5-5, 3-3 American) continued to look the part of a postseason-bound squad, earning an early lead against Cincinnati and progressively pulling away despite the hostile road environment. Under the guidance of redshirt junior QB Frank Nutile, the offense put together a complete performance, generating a balanced attack both through the air (224 yards) and on the ground (205 yards). Fortunately, the Temple special teams saw fit to assist in lighting up the scoreboard, as WR Isaiah Wright took back a 98-yard kickoff return midway through the second half. The sophomore followed up one play later on a successful two-point conversion, tossing a strike to a wide open Nutile in the left flat.
Meanwhile, the Owls' defensive front held strong behind a notable effort from senior S Sean Chandler (team-best 11 tackles & one fumble recovery), as the unit shut out the Bearcats in the first half. The Cincinnati offense struggled throughout the game to find any traction, only putting together a few late drives to narrow the margin. Despite a few injuries depleting the usual starting line-up (redshirt sophomore LB Chapelle Russell & redshirt senior CB Artrel Foster), Temple out-played the Bearcats in every facet of the game, creating long-yardage situations and five possessions of five plays of less.
Setting their sights upon No. 14 UCF (9-0, 5-0 American), the Owls aim to play spoiler for the Golden Knights and reach bowl eligibility all in one go. Temple has recovered exceptionally well after falling down to a 3-5 mark three weeks ago, and now looks to build its longest win streak of the season. Â
Last Time vs. UCF
Temple last matched wits against UCF midway through the 2016 season, defeating the Golden Knights 26-25 behind a photo finish from then-redshirt junior WR Keith Kirkwood. Down five with less then a minute remaining, senior QB Phillip Walker guided the Owls 70 yards over four plays, dropping the game-winning TD to Kirkwood with :01 left on an eight-yard fade to the end zone's back boundary.
Outside of Kirkwood's miraculous grab to secure the victory, a number of current players notched notable performances. Then-sophomore WR Ventell Bryant led the team behind his five receptions for 94 yards while then-redshirt sophomore LB Jared Folks racked up a game-high 10 tackles, one for a loss.  Â
An All Nu Category
For the first time in school history, a Temple football player ran, threw, and caught for points in the same game, as QB Frank Nutile orchestrated a 35-24 dismantling on the road versus Cincinnati. The redshirt junior compiled the unprecedented feat all over the course of the second half: first, he tossed a 34-yard strike to redshirt senior WR Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown up the right sideline; later that same period, Nutile caught a three-yard toss from sophomore WR Isaiah Wright for a successful two-point conversion; finally, midway through fourth quarter, the signal-caller hustled three yards around the right edge of the offensive line for his first career rushing touchdown.
An Offensive Paradigm Shift
Since QB Frank Nutile took over under center, the Owls' rushing attack has dramatically improved, putting together the year's only two 200-yard ground games (Army - 217 & Cincinnati - 205). Accordingly, RB David Hood has prospered as of late, compiling a career-high 108 yards versus the Bearcats, his second 100-yard rushing yard game this season after racking up 106 on the road at ECU.
   As for Nutile, the redshirt junior has livened up an already potent passing game with his deadly accuracy, throwing for six touchdowns and averaging a 68.5 completion percentage. In fact, his passing numbers rank as the best start through three matchups of any Temple signal-caller in school history, compiling 803 yards on 61-of-89 through the air. Previously, redshirt sophomore QB Logan Marchi accomplished the same feat earlier this year, tossing 767 passing yards in the year's opening three games. Â
The Return to the Linc
Second-year UCF head coach Scott Frost will make his first visit to Lincoln Financial Field when his Golden Knights lock helmets with the Owls on Saturday, but the same doesn't ring true for three members of his staff. Defensive coordinator Eric Chinander, DL coach Mike Dawson and OL coach Greg Austin all served the 2013 season as assistants with the Philadelphia Eagles, helping the Birds to a 10-6 finish and NFC East title.
The Florida Pipeline
Since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2013, Temple football has watched its stock rise within the fertile recruiting grounds down south. The state of Florida, nationally considered one of the top three football recruiting grounds, has served as a major pipeline for the Owls, especially with Temple playing at least one game a year at either USF or UCF. As such, it comes as no surprise that 10 players on the Owls' roster hail from the Sunshine State: DL Freddie Booth-Lloyd, WR Ventell Bryant, QB Todd Centeio, LB Sam Franklin, WR Freddie Johnson, K Austin Jones, WR Randle Jones, LB Dana Levine, DB Jyquis Thomas & WR Brodrick Yancy.
Any Given Saturday...
Since 2014, Temple has served as one of the American Athletic Conference's top programs when matched up against a ranked opponent, compiling one win each of the past three seasons for an even 3-3 record. Only one team - Houston - has performed better, earning a 7-1 mark during the same stretch. In school history, the Owls have topped ranked opponents five times, as detailed below:
Â
  Â
Know Your Enemy
The Temple coaching staff knows the Golden Knights' program all too well, as three members - HC Geoff Collins (2008-09, linebackers & recruiting coordinator), LB coach Andrew Thacker (2008-09 GA, 2015 safeties) & DL coach Jim Panagos (2007-11 defensive line) -Â own a combined 10 years with UCF football. During those seasons, the Golden Knights went 38-39, including two Conference USA championships (2007 & 2010).
A Football First?
With the Temple lead faltering to just six and Cincinnati's offense clicking for the first time all game, WR Isaiah Wright decided to take the Owls' victory into his own hands. To start, the sophomore sprinted 98 yards untouched on a kickoff return for Temple's first special teams touchdown since 2015 (coincidentally, Jahad Thomas brought a kickoff back 100 yards in the very same venue). Next up, though, Wright found himself tossing a successful two point conversion to QB Frank Nutile on a trick play. The unique look featured the latter faking an audible at the line of scrimmage and a reverse to the left-handed Wright, who eluded a defender and hit Nutile as he broke away into the left flat.
The Postseason Push
Prior to Al Golden taking over the program in 2006, Temple football wasn't exactly synonymous with postseason eligibility. However, under Golden and every tenured coach since then, the Owls have reached the six-win mark six times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 & 2016) and attended four bowls, including one in each of the past two seasons. In games that would qualify Temple to reach bowl eligibility, the Owls have been especially dangerous, boasting four years where they clinched on their first try.
Up next
The Owls finish out their regular season with a cross conference road trip against West division opponent Tulsa, facing off against the Golden Hurricane on Saturday, November 25.
Battling an icy cold front and hostile crowd under the Friday night lights, Temple took care of business on the road against division rival Cincinnati, knocking off the Bearcats 35-24 for the team's first back-to-back conference wins of the year. With the bowl eligibility on the line, the Owls turn their attention to their final home game of the season versus undefeated division leader No. 14 UCF, with the game set to kickoff Saturday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. EST and air nationally on ESPNU.
This game will serve as Temple's annual Senior Day. The current senior class enters the game tied with the class of 2011 for a school record 31 wins and will play at Lincoln Financial Field for the final time.
Last Friday, Temple (5-5, 3-3 American) continued to look the part of a postseason-bound squad, earning an early lead against Cincinnati and progressively pulling away despite the hostile road environment. Under the guidance of redshirt junior QB Frank Nutile, the offense put together a complete performance, generating a balanced attack both through the air (224 yards) and on the ground (205 yards). Fortunately, the Temple special teams saw fit to assist in lighting up the scoreboard, as WR Isaiah Wright took back a 98-yard kickoff return midway through the second half. The sophomore followed up one play later on a successful two-point conversion, tossing a strike to a wide open Nutile in the left flat.
Meanwhile, the Owls' defensive front held strong behind a notable effort from senior S Sean Chandler (team-best 11 tackles & one fumble recovery), as the unit shut out the Bearcats in the first half. The Cincinnati offense struggled throughout the game to find any traction, only putting together a few late drives to narrow the margin. Despite a few injuries depleting the usual starting line-up (redshirt sophomore LB Chapelle Russell & redshirt senior CB Artrel Foster), Temple out-played the Bearcats in every facet of the game, creating long-yardage situations and five possessions of five plays of less.
Setting their sights upon No. 14 UCF (9-0, 5-0 American), the Owls aim to play spoiler for the Golden Knights and reach bowl eligibility all in one go. Temple has recovered exceptionally well after falling down to a 3-5 mark three weeks ago, and now looks to build its longest win streak of the season. Â
Last Time vs. UCF
Temple last matched wits against UCF midway through the 2016 season, defeating the Golden Knights 26-25 behind a photo finish from then-redshirt junior WR Keith Kirkwood. Down five with less then a minute remaining, senior QB Phillip Walker guided the Owls 70 yards over four plays, dropping the game-winning TD to Kirkwood with :01 left on an eight-yard fade to the end zone's back boundary.
Outside of Kirkwood's miraculous grab to secure the victory, a number of current players notched notable performances. Then-sophomore WR Ventell Bryant led the team behind his five receptions for 94 yards while then-redshirt sophomore LB Jared Folks racked up a game-high 10 tackles, one for a loss.  Â
An All Nu Category
For the first time in school history, a Temple football player ran, threw, and caught for points in the same game, as QB Frank Nutile orchestrated a 35-24 dismantling on the road versus Cincinnati. The redshirt junior compiled the unprecedented feat all over the course of the second half: first, he tossed a 34-yard strike to redshirt senior WR Keith Kirkwood for a touchdown up the right sideline; later that same period, Nutile caught a three-yard toss from sophomore WR Isaiah Wright for a successful two-point conversion; finally, midway through fourth quarter, the signal-caller hustled three yards around the right edge of the offensive line for his first career rushing touchdown.
An Offensive Paradigm Shift
Since QB Frank Nutile took over under center, the Owls' rushing attack has dramatically improved, putting together the year's only two 200-yard ground games (Army - 217 & Cincinnati - 205). Accordingly, RB David Hood has prospered as of late, compiling a career-high 108 yards versus the Bearcats, his second 100-yard rushing yard game this season after racking up 106 on the road at ECU.
   As for Nutile, the redshirt junior has livened up an already potent passing game with his deadly accuracy, throwing for six touchdowns and averaging a 68.5 completion percentage. In fact, his passing numbers rank as the best start through three matchups of any Temple signal-caller in school history, compiling 803 yards on 61-of-89 through the air. Previously, redshirt sophomore QB Logan Marchi accomplished the same feat earlier this year, tossing 767 passing yards in the year's opening three games. Â
The Return to the Linc
Second-year UCF head coach Scott Frost will make his first visit to Lincoln Financial Field when his Golden Knights lock helmets with the Owls on Saturday, but the same doesn't ring true for three members of his staff. Defensive coordinator Eric Chinander, DL coach Mike Dawson and OL coach Greg Austin all served the 2013 season as assistants with the Philadelphia Eagles, helping the Birds to a 10-6 finish and NFC East title.
The Florida Pipeline
Since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2013, Temple football has watched its stock rise within the fertile recruiting grounds down south. The state of Florida, nationally considered one of the top three football recruiting grounds, has served as a major pipeline for the Owls, especially with Temple playing at least one game a year at either USF or UCF. As such, it comes as no surprise that 10 players on the Owls' roster hail from the Sunshine State: DL Freddie Booth-Lloyd, WR Ventell Bryant, QB Todd Centeio, LB Sam Franklin, WR Freddie Johnson, K Austin Jones, WR Randle Jones, LB Dana Levine, DB Jyquis Thomas & WR Brodrick Yancy.
Any Given Saturday...
Since 2014, Temple has served as one of the American Athletic Conference's top programs when matched up against a ranked opponent, compiling one win each of the past three seasons for an even 3-3 record. Only one team - Houston - has performed better, earning a 7-1 mark during the same stretch. In school history, the Owls have topped ranked opponents five times, as detailed below:
Â
| Year | Rank | Opponent | Record | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 16 | at Pittsburgh | 2-0 | 24-21 |
| 1998 | 14 | at Virginia Tech | 5-0 | 28-24 |
| 2014 | 21 | vs. ECU | 6-1 | 20-10 |
| 2015 | 21 | vs. Memphis | 8-2 | 31-12 |
| 2016 | 19 | at Navy | 9-2 | 34-10 |
Know Your Enemy
The Temple coaching staff knows the Golden Knights' program all too well, as three members - HC Geoff Collins (2008-09, linebackers & recruiting coordinator), LB coach Andrew Thacker (2008-09 GA, 2015 safeties) & DL coach Jim Panagos (2007-11 defensive line) -Â own a combined 10 years with UCF football. During those seasons, the Golden Knights went 38-39, including two Conference USA championships (2007 & 2010).
A Football First?
With the Temple lead faltering to just six and Cincinnati's offense clicking for the first time all game, WR Isaiah Wright decided to take the Owls' victory into his own hands. To start, the sophomore sprinted 98 yards untouched on a kickoff return for Temple's first special teams touchdown since 2015 (coincidentally, Jahad Thomas brought a kickoff back 100 yards in the very same venue). Next up, though, Wright found himself tossing a successful two point conversion to QB Frank Nutile on a trick play. The unique look featured the latter faking an audible at the line of scrimmage and a reverse to the left-handed Wright, who eluded a defender and hit Nutile as he broke away into the left flat.
The Postseason Push
Prior to Al Golden taking over the program in 2006, Temple football wasn't exactly synonymous with postseason eligibility. However, under Golden and every tenured coach since then, the Owls have reached the six-win mark six times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 & 2016) and attended four bowls, including one in each of the past two seasons. In games that would qualify Temple to reach bowl eligibility, the Owls have been especially dangerous, boasting four years where they clinched on their first try.
Up next
The Owls finish out their regular season with a cross conference road trip against West division opponent Tulsa, facing off against the Golden Hurricane on Saturday, November 25.
Players Mentioned
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