Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football Heads to Houston for Inter-Divisional Showdown
11.5.18 | Football
THIS WEEK
The Temple Owls head down to Texas this week to take on the Houston Cougars in an interdivisional AAC matchup. This marks the only time this season the Owls will be on the road in back-to-back games. Temple and Houston are coming off high-scoring matchups that resulted in losses. This game also marks the rematch of the 2015 AAC Championship game, the inaugural conference championship game. Kickoff is set for Saturday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) and will air on CBSSN and 1210 WPHT.
Temple and Houston first squared off in November, 1987. The game took place at Veterans Stadium and resulted in a 37-7 win for the Cougars. Temple and Houston played again in 1989, but wouldn't see each other again until the creation of the American Athletic Conference in 2013. The two teams have played in four of the last five seasons.
LAST WEEK
Against UCF, QB Anthony Russo and the offense went toe-to-toe with the high-powered UCF offense. Temple's offense outgained the Knights 670-630 and set a program record for yards in a game. The previous record was 622 yards set in 1974 against Southern Illinois. Russo threw 31-52 for 444 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a five-yard touchdown on a fake field goal. Russo connected with eleven different receivers in the game for the second time this season. WR Ventell Bryant caught seven passes and extended his consecutive reception streak to 44 games. He is only 15 yards away from breaking the Owls' all-time receiving yards record held by Willie Marshall with 2,272 career yards. RB Ryquell Armstead had his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season as he ran 27 times for 142 yards. WR Randle Jones showed his deep threat abilities as he caught a 70-yard touchdown and finished with two catches
for 94 yards.
Defensively, the Owls had a tough time containing the high octane UCF attack. Temple did hold McKenzie Milton to a season low 17 completions and 51.5% completion rate. The Owls also forced three three-and-outs against the Knights. Special teams played a big role in the game as DT Dan Archibong blocked a field goal early in the first quarter and the Owls scored a non-offensive touchdown for the 10th time this season.
LB Chapelle Russell led the Owls with eight tackles and a PBU. SAF Delvon Randall had five tackles, an interception, and two PBUs. That was Randall's first interception of the season and ninth in his career. Kicker Will Mobley hit a career long 41-yard field goal and scored a season high 10 points.
LAST TIME vs. HOUSTON
The last time Temple and Houston played was on September 30, 2017, at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple was held scoreless in the first half and made a bid for a comeback but fell just short, 20-13. The defense held the Cougars to 388 yards and seven points in the second half.
LAST TIME @ HOUSTON
The last time Temple and Houston played in Houston was on December 15, 2015. The #22 Owls lost a close game to #19 Houston 24-13 in the AAC Championship. WR Robby Anderson had an outstanding 12-catches for 150-yards and a touchdown. This was the first-ever conference championship game for the American Athletic Conference.
UP NEXT
After Houston, the Owls host USF for senior day in the final home game of the season.
The Temple Owls head down to Texas this week to take on the Houston Cougars in an interdivisional AAC matchup. This marks the only time this season the Owls will be on the road in back-to-back games. Temple and Houston are coming off high-scoring matchups that resulted in losses. This game also marks the rematch of the 2015 AAC Championship game, the inaugural conference championship game. Kickoff is set for Saturday, November 10, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) and will air on CBSSN and 1210 WPHT.
Temple and Houston first squared off in November, 1987. The game took place at Veterans Stadium and resulted in a 37-7 win for the Cougars. Temple and Houston played again in 1989, but wouldn't see each other again until the creation of the American Athletic Conference in 2013. The two teams have played in four of the last five seasons.
LAST WEEK
Against UCF, QB Anthony Russo and the offense went toe-to-toe with the high-powered UCF offense. Temple's offense outgained the Knights 670-630 and set a program record for yards in a game. The previous record was 622 yards set in 1974 against Southern Illinois. Russo threw 31-52 for 444 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a five-yard touchdown on a fake field goal. Russo connected with eleven different receivers in the game for the second time this season. WR Ventell Bryant caught seven passes and extended his consecutive reception streak to 44 games. He is only 15 yards away from breaking the Owls' all-time receiving yards record held by Willie Marshall with 2,272 career yards. RB Ryquell Armstead had his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season as he ran 27 times for 142 yards. WR Randle Jones showed his deep threat abilities as he caught a 70-yard touchdown and finished with two catches
for 94 yards.
Defensively, the Owls had a tough time containing the high octane UCF attack. Temple did hold McKenzie Milton to a season low 17 completions and 51.5% completion rate. The Owls also forced three three-and-outs against the Knights. Special teams played a big role in the game as DT Dan Archibong blocked a field goal early in the first quarter and the Owls scored a non-offensive touchdown for the 10th time this season.
LB Chapelle Russell led the Owls with eight tackles and a PBU. SAF Delvon Randall had five tackles, an interception, and two PBUs. That was Randall's first interception of the season and ninth in his career. Kicker Will Mobley hit a career long 41-yard field goal and scored a season high 10 points.
LAST TIME vs. HOUSTON
The last time Temple and Houston played was on September 30, 2017, at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple was held scoreless in the first half and made a bid for a comeback but fell just short, 20-13. The defense held the Cougars to 388 yards and seven points in the second half.
LAST TIME @ HOUSTON
The last time Temple and Houston played in Houston was on December 15, 2015. The #22 Owls lost a close game to #19 Houston 24-13 in the AAC Championship. WR Robby Anderson had an outstanding 12-catches for 150-yards and a touchdown. This was the first-ever conference championship game for the American Athletic Conference.
UP NEXT
After Houston, the Owls host USF for senior day in the final home game of the season.
Players Mentioned
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