Football Falters Against UCF, 49-7

Saturday, October 30

12:00 PM

Temple University

3-5 , 1-3

UCF

5-3 , 3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UCF

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Football Falters Against UCF, 49-7

10.30.21 | Football

Box Score Game Book Rod Carey Press Conference D'Wan Mathis Press Conference George Reid Press Conference Cameron Ruiz Press Conference

PHILADELPHIA – Temple (3-5, 1-3) lost to UCF (5-3, 3-2), 49-7, Saturday afternoon. Trailing 14-0 midway through the second quarter, the Owls were not able to cut the deficit after fumbling in UCF's red zone. A few minutes later, another Temple fumble led to UCF's third touchdown of the game heading into halftime. From there, the Knights outscored the Owls 28-7 in the second half.

How It Happened
First Quarter
The Owls received the ball to start the game and moved the ball efficiently into UCF territory. QB D'Wan Mathis spread the ball around with catches by wide receivers Jose Barbon, Jadan Blue, and Randle Jones before a sack on fourth down gave the Knights their first drive of the game. After the two sides traded scoreless possessions, UCF struck first, converting on fourth down to bring the ball into the red zone. A few plays later, running back Isaiah Bowser scored from 11 yards out to give UCF a 7-0 lead.

Second Quarter
The Owls once again moved the ball into UCF territory but were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. Punter Adam Barry punted the ball back to the Knights, pinning them inside the 20-yard line. From there, UCF drove down the field in 10 plays capped off by a touchdown pass from QB Mikey Keene to TE Alec Holler. Temple answered back with an 11-play drive of its own, moving the ball into the red zone, but a fumble by the Owls on the UCF 12-yard line resulted in a missed scoring opportunity. On the following possession, midway through the drive, an interception by Jalen Ware appeared to give the ball back to the Owls, but a fumble on the return kept the Knights in possession. A few plays later, the Knights scored a touchdown to extend the lead to 21.

Third Quarter
On the opening drive of the third quarter, UCF marched down the field for its fourth touchdown of the game. Keene and Holler connected on a 33-yard pitch and catch for Holler's second receiving touchdown of the contest. A fumble on Temple's first play of the ensuing drive led to UCF's fifth touchdown. The Owls forced and recovered a fumble on UCF's next drive as the Knights were threatening in the red zone, but Temple was unable to mount a drive, being forced to punt shortly thereafter. A sixth touchdown for UCF with just over three minutes remaining in the quarter stretched the lead.

Fourth Quarter
The Knights scored a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to extend the lead. With under a minute remaining in the game, QB Justin Lynch found Barbon down the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown to get the Owls on the board.

Statistically Speaking

Barbon: 45 receiving yards, one touchdown
Cameron Ruiz: eight tackles, one TFL

Notes

Blue: moved into second place all-time in school history in receptions.
Corey Cuascut-Palmer: first career start.
Muheem McCargo: first career start.
Jimto Obidegwu: first career start.
Kadas Reams: first career start.
Jacoby Sharpe: first career start and forced fumble.
Ware: first interception in Temple career.

Up Next
The Owls take a quick flight to Greenville, N.C. for a matchup against the East Carolina Pirates. Kickoff is set for 3:00pm and will air on ESPN+.