Temple University Athletics
Saturday, November 21
Philadelphia, Pa.
12:00PM
Temple University
1-6 , 1-6
3
vs
28
ECU
2-6 , 2-5
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
ECU
7
14
7
0
28
Temple
0
3
0
0
3
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
ECU Topples Temple in Covid-Delayed Contest
11.21.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple, undermanned and starting its fifth-string quarterback, fell to ECU, 28-3, Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
Entering the game with a severely depleted roster, the Owls lost five defensive players, including four on its two-deep, due to COVID Protocol issues just prior to the start of the game. This also delayed the start of the contest by 50 minutes.
Despite a roster missing so many key players, the Owls fought valiantly, with two back-breaking plays in the second quarter – a 95-yard kickoff return and a 45-yard touchdown pass in the final minute – giving ECU separation, 21-3, heading into the half.
A 75-yard run by ECU QB Holton Ahlers led to the only score after intermission.
How it happened
First Quarter
Walk-on freshman QB Kamal Gray made his first appearance and start for the Owls as the team's top four signal-callers were unavailable for the game. The Owls went three-and-out on his first drive and ECU took over on the Owls' 49 following an Adam Barry punt. ECU moved the ball to the Temple 25 before attempting a 42-yard field goal. Owls' DE Evan Boozer came up big, blocking the attempt.
Temple failed to manage a first down on each of its next three possessions while ECU missed another field goal attempt, this one from 35 yards out, and punted on its subsequent possession.
The deadlock would finally be broken with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter as Pirates QB Holton Ahlers found C.J. Johnson down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown.
Second Quarter
After moving the ball into ECU territory for the first time of the game, RB Tayvon Ruley fumbled to give the Pirates the ball at their own 49. The drive would not last long though as a tipped pass wound up in the hands of Temple LB Jordan Magee, who ran the interception back to the ECU 18-yard line.
Temple, however, was forced to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Rory Bell, cutting the deficit to 7-3. The Pirates answered right back as Tyler Snead returned the kickoff 95 yards to extend the ECU lead to 14-3. A few drives later, with ECU inside their own 20-yard line, the Owls recovered a fumble forced by LB Kobe Wilson with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Temple would not be able to capitalize on the opportunity as Gray's pass to Branden Mack was picked off in the end zone.
The Pirates took just two plays to move 80 yards with Ahlers connecting on a 45-yard TD pass to Snead to give ECU a 21-3 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
A couple of empty drives to open the half set up the Pirates at their own 10-yard line. From there, a 75-yard scramble from Ahlers left ECU one yard shy of the end zone. Ahlers would then punch it home with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 28-3.
Neither team could muster much offense the remainder of the quarter except for an ECU drive that stalled on the Owls 32.
Fourth Quarter
It was a scoreless quarter to end the contest as the teams combined for a mere 86 total yards.
Statistically Speaking
Up next, the Owls take on #7 Cincinnati for the final game of the season on Saturday, November 28. ESPN exercised a six-day window with kickoff time and TV released this Sunday.
Entering the game with a severely depleted roster, the Owls lost five defensive players, including four on its two-deep, due to COVID Protocol issues just prior to the start of the game. This also delayed the start of the contest by 50 minutes.
Despite a roster missing so many key players, the Owls fought valiantly, with two back-breaking plays in the second quarter – a 95-yard kickoff return and a 45-yard touchdown pass in the final minute – giving ECU separation, 21-3, heading into the half.
A 75-yard run by ECU QB Holton Ahlers led to the only score after intermission.
How it happened
First Quarter
Walk-on freshman QB Kamal Gray made his first appearance and start for the Owls as the team's top four signal-callers were unavailable for the game. The Owls went three-and-out on his first drive and ECU took over on the Owls' 49 following an Adam Barry punt. ECU moved the ball to the Temple 25 before attempting a 42-yard field goal. Owls' DE Evan Boozer came up big, blocking the attempt.
Temple failed to manage a first down on each of its next three possessions while ECU missed another field goal attempt, this one from 35 yards out, and punted on its subsequent possession.
The deadlock would finally be broken with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter as Pirates QB Holton Ahlers found C.J. Johnson down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown.
Second Quarter
After moving the ball into ECU territory for the first time of the game, RB Tayvon Ruley fumbled to give the Pirates the ball at their own 49. The drive would not last long though as a tipped pass wound up in the hands of Temple LB Jordan Magee, who ran the interception back to the ECU 18-yard line.
Temple, however, was forced to settle for a 28-yard field goal by Rory Bell, cutting the deficit to 7-3. The Pirates answered right back as Tyler Snead returned the kickoff 95 yards to extend the ECU lead to 14-3. A few drives later, with ECU inside their own 20-yard line, the Owls recovered a fumble forced by LB Kobe Wilson with just over two minutes remaining in the half. Temple would not be able to capitalize on the opportunity as Gray's pass to Branden Mack was picked off in the end zone.
The Pirates took just two plays to move 80 yards with Ahlers connecting on a 45-yard TD pass to Snead to give ECU a 21-3 halftime lead.
Third Quarter
A couple of empty drives to open the half set up the Pirates at their own 10-yard line. From there, a 75-yard scramble from Ahlers left ECU one yard shy of the end zone. Ahlers would then punch it home with a one-yard touchdown run to make it 28-3.
Neither team could muster much offense the remainder of the quarter except for an ECU drive that stalled on the Owls 32.
Fourth Quarter
It was a scoreless quarter to end the contest as the teams combined for a mere 86 total yards.
Statistically Speaking
- Kamal Gray completed 10-of-21 passes for 95 yards in his first collegiate action.
- WR Branden Mack saw action at quarterback in the second half (0-2 passing).
- Four freshmen were among Temple's top five leaders in tackles with SAF M.J. Griffin (11) topping the Owls. The others were LB Kobe Wilson (7), LB Jordan Magee (4) and SAF Alex Odom (4).
- Adam Barry set career highs for punts (11) and yards (492) in a single game. He averaged 44.7 yards per punt with five inside the 20.
- Branden Mack: Moved into sixth place all-time in receptions (131).
- Gray: First career start. Last time a true freshman started at QB for the Owls was in 2013 (P.J. Walker).
Up next, the Owls take on #7 Cincinnati for the final game of the season on Saturday, November 28. ESPN exercised a six-day window with kickoff time and TV released this Sunday.
Team Stats
ECU
TEMPLE
Total Yards
447
235
Pass Yards
182
95
Rushing Yards
265
140
Penalty Yards
12
59
1st Downs
16
10
3rd Downs
3
3
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
25:06
34:54
1st Quarter
ECU 7, TEMPLE 0
ECU - JOHNSON, C.J. 60 yd pass from AHLERS, Holton (VERITY, Jake kick) 1 plays, 60 yards, TOP 0:10
2nd Quarter
ECU 7, TEMPLE 3
TEMPLE - BELL,Rory 28 yd field goal 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 1:13
ECU 14, TEMPLE 3
ECU - SNEAD, Tyler 95 yd kickoff return (VERITY, Jake kick)
ECU 21, TEMPLE 3
ECU - SNEAD, Tyler 46 yd pass from AHLERS, Holton (VERITY, Jake kick) 2 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:16
3rd Quarter
ECU 28, TEMPLE 3
ECU - AHLERS, Holton 1 yd run (VERITY, Jake kick), 4 plays, 90 yards, TOP 1:12
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
10
TD
0
YDS
95
INT
2
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
P
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