Football Comes up Short at Navy in Season Opener

Saturday, October 10

Annapolis, MD

6:00PM

Temple University

0-1 , 0-1

Navy

2-2 , 2-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Temple

Navy

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Football Comes up Short at Navy in Season Opener

10.10.20 | Football

Box Score Game Book Rod Carey Press Conference Isaiah Graham-Mobley Press Conference Re'Mahn Davis Press Conference Anthony Russo Press Conference Photo Gallery

ANNAPOLIS - Temple dropped its season opener to Navy, 31-29, Saturday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Owls fall to 0-1, 0-1 in the American Athletic Conference play while the Midshipmen improve to 2-2, 2-0 in the AAC.

How it happened
First Quarter
The Midshipmen received the ball to open the game and marched down the field for a 17-play touchdown drive that ended in a one-yard TD run on fourth and goal. The Owls responded with a successful opening drive of their own highlighted by six completions by quarterback Anthony Russo, three of those being to wide receiver Branden Mack for 45 yards.

Second Quarter
The Owls capped off their opening drive with a 25-yard field goal by Will Mobley early in the second period to trim the lead. Navy started its next drive near midfield after a 34-yard kickoff return. With eight more plays spanning just over four minutes, the Midshipmen punched in a second red zone touchdown to extend their lead to 14-3. Temple answered back with their second scoring drive of the night with big plays coming from running back Re'Mahn Davis and wide receiver Jadan Blue. A one-yard run from Russo resulted in Temple's first touchdown of the season. On the ensuing Navy drive, a fourth down conversion near midfield led to Navy's third touchdown of the game. Russo led Temple down the field on the Owls' next drive, however a red zone interception would take the game into halftime with the Midshipmen ahead 21-10.

Third Quarter
After a punt by each side to start the half, Temple got on the scoreboard once again with a seven-yard touchdown catch by Mack. The near five-minute drive was largely on the back of Davis as the sophomore recorded seven straight carries on the drive for 38 yards. The Midshipmen countered with a touchdown of their own on the very next drive, extending their lead to 28-17. Once again, Temple would mount a successful drive, thanks in large part to a 31-yard run from Tayvon Ruley.

Fourth Quarter
Russo would finish the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game, this one being a nine-yard keeper, however, a failed two-point conversion would keep the Midshipmen ahead 28-23. A pair of fourth down conversions for Navy on its subsequent drive led to a 50-yard field goal to give the Midshipmen an eight-point lead. On the next Owls drive, a critical fourth down conversion followed by a 35-yard trick play pitch and catch from Mack to David Martin-Robinson set the Owls up inside the five yard line with just over a minute left in the game. Davis would plunge in for a touchdown a few plays later setting up a potential two-point conversion to tie the game. The two-point conversion from Russo to Davis failed, and the Midshipmen recovered the onside kick to end the game.

Statistically Speaking

Re'Mahn Davis: 22 carries for 96 yards, TD
Branden Mack: Seven catches for 80 yards, 35 passing yards
David Martin-Robinson: Five catches for 72 yards

Notes

Mack moved past former wide receiver Isaiah Wright and into twelfth place on TU's all-time list for receiving yards (1,608).
Mack also moved into a tie for seventh place in all-time receiving touchdowns with Adonis Jennings (13).
Blue passed former wide receiver Jason Harper on the all-time receiving yards list (1,146).
Mack moved up to eleventh all-time for Temple receptions (112).

Up Next
The Owls will be back in action next weekend when they make their 2020 Lincoln Financial Field debut against USF on October 17. Kickoff will be at 12:00pm and will air on ESPN+.