Football Hosts #20 Cincinnati in Homecoming Game

THIS WEEK

The Temple Owls are continuing to roll through conference play with a 24-17 win against Navy. Temple will have their toughest opponent yet as the 6-0 #20 Cincinnati Bearcats come to Philadelphia to challenge the Owls 3-0 American Athletic Conference record. This is the first ranked opponent the Owls will face this season. Temple is potentially looking at playing four ranked opponents in the final five games of the season. Kickoff is set for Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 12:00 ET and will air on ESPNU and WTEL 610 ESPN.

Temple and Cincinnati first squared off in October, 1973. The game took place at Temple Stadium and resulted in a 16-15 win for the Owls. Temple has the slight advantage in the series 12-7-1 and has won three in a row against the Bearcats. The Owls have outscored the Bearcats 103-63 in the last three head-to-head matchups.

This past weekend, QB Anthony Russo continued growing in the starting role, throwing 23-31 for 300 yards and a touchdown. He connected with nine different receivers this week compared to 11 last week. His longest pass came on the first play of the first series in the fourth quarter. With the game tied, Russo connected with WR Ventell Bryant for a 62-yard touchdown. Bryant finished with a season-high eight catches for 147 yards. He is quickly approaching the Owls all-time receiving yards record held by Willie Marshall with 2,272 career yards. Redshirt sophomore RB Tyliek Raynor scored his first career touchdown on a 15-yard rush. FB Rob Ritrovato scored the other touchdown for Temple on a one-yard stuff for his second score of the season.

Defensively, the Owls were able to contain the potent Navy rushing offense. Temple only allowed 284 total yards and didn't let Navy score over the final 28 minutes of the game. The defense managed the time of possession differential well and forced two fumbles. The Owls defense forced three punts and two turnover on downs in crucial late-game situations. The Midshipmen only converted 5-13 third downs and 1-3 fourth downs that set up the Owls with great field position starting on average at the Temple 39-yard line.

NKL Sam Franklin led Temple with 10 tackles and two TFLs. LB Shaun Bradley and DT Michael Dogbe had eight tackles each. SAF Delvon Randall had seven tackles and a forced fumble.

The Owls snatched the game from Navy with nine minutes left to play and the defense held strong to grab the win. Navy had only lost three games at home in the past four seasons and two of those loses were against Temple.

LAST TIME vs. CINCINNATI

The last time Temple and Cincinnati played was on November 10, 2017, at Nippert Stadium under the Friday night lights. Temple came out on top at the end of a high-scoring affair with the final of 35-24. Both teams had over 400 yards of total offense and over 20 first downs. QB Frank Nutile went 18-30 for 224 yards and had two touchdowns, one on the ground and one in the air. RB David Hood had 23 carries for 108 yards and a score as well.

LAST TIME @ LINCOLN FINANCIAL

The last time last time Temple and Cincinnati played at Lincoln Financial Field was on October 29, 2016. The Owls won in dominating fashion 34-13. This was the eighth consecutive game that the Owls had scored 26 points-or-more and it was also the second season in a row the Owls reached the 10 win mark. QB Phillip Walker led the offense with 199 yards and two touchdowns in the air. RB Ryquell Armstead had 18 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns. WR Ventell Bryant had three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown. The defense forced Cincinnati to punt seven times and had two fumble recoveries.

UP NEXT

After Cincinnati, the Owls head into a bye week before heading down to Orlando to take on #10 UCF on November 1 in a Thursday night primetime matchup.