Temple University Athletics
Saturday, October 2
12:00 PM
Temple University
3-2 , 1-0
34
vs
31
Memphis
3-2 , 0-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Memphis
3
14
6
8
31
Temple
0
17
7
10
34
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football Wins Conference Opener Over Memphis, 34-31
10.2.21 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Temple (3-2, 1-0) defeated the Memphis Tigers (3-2, 0-1) in its conference opener, 34-31. After falling behind 17-0 early in the second quarter, the Owls rallied back, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to tie the game heading into the break. The Owls fell behind briefly in the third quarter, but a second half touchdown from Tayvon Ruley gave the Owls the lead, and a late touchdown from WR Amad Anderson Jr. sealed the game for Temple.
How It Happened
First Quarter
After picking up a few first downs on its opening drive, Temple punter Adam Barry pinned the Tigers within their own 10-yard line with just over 10 minutes remaining in the quarter. From there, Memphis drove 84 yards on 17 plays before a defensive stand in the red zone, thanks to a pass deflection by CB Cameron Ruiz, forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal. On the next Temple drive, a 34-yard pitch-and-catch from QB D'Wan Mathis to Amad Anderson Jr. moved the Owls into Tigers territory, but a turnover on downs a few plays later gave the ball back to the Tigers. A 43-yard reception by Memphis' Sean Dykes set up the Tigers in the red zone as the first quarter drew to a close.
Second Quarter
On the opening play of the second quarter, a six-yard rush extended the Tigers lead. A second turnover on downs for Temple gave Memphis the ball at the Owls' 35-yard line. On the next play, QB Seth Henigan hit WR Javon Ivory in the end zone to put the Tigers up 17-0. On the ensuing drive, the Owls marched down the field in 17 plays for 75 yards. A fourth-down conversion from RB Ra'Von Bonner kept the drive alive before Ruley moved the chains in the red zone. On fourth-and-one at the Memphis one-yard line, a one-handed catch from WR Jadan Blue put the Owls on the board. The next Memphis drive did not last for long, as CB Keyshawn Paul forced a fumble on the Tigers' second play of the drive. The Owls did not waste any time cutting the deficit with a 15-yard touchdown reception from WR Jose Barbon with just over three minutes remaining in the half. After Temple's defense forced a three-and-out, the Owls' offense capitalized on the opportunity, kicking a 35-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game.
Third Quarter
After Temple's defense forced a third consecutive empty possession to start the third quarter, a 39-yard rush from Mathis brought the Owls into field goal territory, but a missed field goal kept the game all squared up. Memphis got the first points on the board in the second half after a 69-yard drive resulted in a touchdown midway through the third quarter. On the following drive, the Cherry & White mounted a drive of their own, driving 75 yards and scoring a one-yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-goal to take a 24-23 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
On the following Memphis drive, the Tigers threatened in Temple's red zone once again, but a forced fumble by LB Yvandy Rigby at the one-yard line kept the Owls in front. After a quick first down, the Owls drive stalled out and Temple was forced to give the ball back to the Tigers. The Temple defense held firm once again, however, as Rigby sacked Memphis' quarterback to force a punt. Temple marched down the field once again thanks in large part to a 38-yard run by Edward Saydee and a 15-yard facemask penalty at the end of the play. A defensive stand by Memphis, however, meant that the Owls were forced to settle for a field goal once again, which Bell knocked through to extend Temple's lead, 27-23. The Tigers moved the ball into Temple territory once again on the next possession, but an incomplete pass on fourth-and-six from the Owls' 43-yard line gave the ball back to the Owls. From there, a 53-yard touchdown from Mathis to Anderson sealed the game for the Owls. A late Memphis touchdown and two-point conversion with 30 seconds remaining trimmed the deficit, but the Owls were able to hold on for the victory.
Statistically Speaking
The Owls home stretch finally comes to an end as Temple travels to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats for a Friday night clash. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and will air on ESPN.
How It Happened
First Quarter
After picking up a few first downs on its opening drive, Temple punter Adam Barry pinned the Tigers within their own 10-yard line with just over 10 minutes remaining in the quarter. From there, Memphis drove 84 yards on 17 plays before a defensive stand in the red zone, thanks to a pass deflection by CB Cameron Ruiz, forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal. On the next Temple drive, a 34-yard pitch-and-catch from QB D'Wan Mathis to Amad Anderson Jr. moved the Owls into Tigers territory, but a turnover on downs a few plays later gave the ball back to the Tigers. A 43-yard reception by Memphis' Sean Dykes set up the Tigers in the red zone as the first quarter drew to a close.
Second Quarter
On the opening play of the second quarter, a six-yard rush extended the Tigers lead. A second turnover on downs for Temple gave Memphis the ball at the Owls' 35-yard line. On the next play, QB Seth Henigan hit WR Javon Ivory in the end zone to put the Tigers up 17-0. On the ensuing drive, the Owls marched down the field in 17 plays for 75 yards. A fourth-down conversion from RB Ra'Von Bonner kept the drive alive before Ruley moved the chains in the red zone. On fourth-and-one at the Memphis one-yard line, a one-handed catch from WR Jadan Blue put the Owls on the board. The next Memphis drive did not last for long, as CB Keyshawn Paul forced a fumble on the Tigers' second play of the drive. The Owls did not waste any time cutting the deficit with a 15-yard touchdown reception from WR Jose Barbon with just over three minutes remaining in the half. After Temple's defense forced a three-and-out, the Owls' offense capitalized on the opportunity, kicking a 35-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game.
Third Quarter
After Temple's defense forced a third consecutive empty possession to start the third quarter, a 39-yard rush from Mathis brought the Owls into field goal territory, but a missed field goal kept the game all squared up. Memphis got the first points on the board in the second half after a 69-yard drive resulted in a touchdown midway through the third quarter. On the following drive, the Cherry & White mounted a drive of their own, driving 75 yards and scoring a one-yard rushing touchdown on fourth-and-goal to take a 24-23 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
On the following Memphis drive, the Tigers threatened in Temple's red zone once again, but a forced fumble by LB Yvandy Rigby at the one-yard line kept the Owls in front. After a quick first down, the Owls drive stalled out and Temple was forced to give the ball back to the Tigers. The Temple defense held firm once again, however, as Rigby sacked Memphis' quarterback to force a punt. Temple marched down the field once again thanks in large part to a 38-yard run by Edward Saydee and a 15-yard facemask penalty at the end of the play. A defensive stand by Memphis, however, meant that the Owls were forced to settle for a field goal once again, which Bell knocked through to extend Temple's lead, 27-23. The Tigers moved the ball into Temple territory once again on the next possession, but an incomplete pass on fourth-and-six from the Owls' 43-yard line gave the ball back to the Owls. From there, a 53-yard touchdown from Mathis to Anderson sealed the game for the Owls. A late Memphis touchdown and two-point conversion with 30 seconds remaining trimmed the deficit, but the Owls were able to hold on for the victory.
Statistically Speaking
- Anderson Jr.: three receptions, 108 receiving yards, one touchdown
- Barbon: seven receptions, 51 receiving yards, one touchdown
- Blue: eight receptions, 37 receiving yards, one touchdown
- Mathis: 322 passing yards, three touchdowns
- Saydee: 12 carries, 62 rushing yards
- Mathis: longest rush (39 yards) by a Temple QB since Todd Centeio (45 yards) in 2019.
- Paul: first career forced fumble.
- Rigby: first career sack and forced fumble.
The Owls home stretch finally comes to an end as Temple travels to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats for a Friday night clash. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm and will air on ESPN.
Team Stats
MEM
TEM
Total Yards
462
479
Pass Yards
305
322
Rushing Yards
157
157
Penalty Yards
45
28
1st Downs
25
24
3rd Downs
11
8
4th Downs
1
3
TOP
24:33
35:27
1st Quarter
MEM 3, TEM 0
MEM - Doyle,Joe 26 yd field goal 17 plays, 84 yards, TOP 05:09
2nd Quarter
MEM 10, TEM 0
MEM - Clark,Rodrigues 6 yd run (Doyle,Joe kick), 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 01:35
MEM 17, TEM 0
MEM - Ivory,Javon 35 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Doyle,Joe kick) 1 plays, 35 yards, TOP 00:08
MEM 17, TEM 7
TEM - Blue,Jadan 1 yd pass from Mathis,D'Wan (Bell,Rory kick) 17 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:35
MEM 17, TEM 14
TEM - Barbon,Jose 15 yd pass from Mathis,D'Wan (Bell,Rory kick) 3 plays, 17 yards, TOP 00:53
MEM 17, TEM 17
TEM - Bell,Rory 35 yd field goal 9 plays, 46 yards, TOP 02:07
3rd Quarter
MEM 23, TEM 17
MEM - Dykes,Sean 2 yd pass from Henigan,Seth () 11 plays, 69 yards, TOP 04:40
MEM 23, TEM 24
TEM - Ruley,Tayvon 1 yd run (Bell,Rory kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:01
4th Quarter
MEM 23, TEM 27
TEM - Bell,Rory 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:36
MEM 23, TEM 34
TEM - Anderson Jr.,Amad 53 yd pass from Mathis,D'Wan (Bell,Rory kick) 3 plays, 57 yards, TOP 00:18
MEM 31, TEM 34
MEM - Ivory,Javon 9 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Austin III,Calvin pass) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:05
Game Leaders
CMP
35
TD
3
YDS
322
INT
0
CMP
1
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
P
/ Football
WR
/ Football
RB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
BUBO
/ Football
CB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballAmerican Conference Tipoff - ESPN+
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