Football Suffers Fifth Conference Loss of the Season, 37-8

Saturday, November 13

12:00 PM

Temple University

3-7 , 1-5

Houston

9-1 , 7-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Houston

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Football Suffers Fifth Conference Loss of the Season, 37-8

11.13.21 | Football

Box Score Game Book Rod Carey Postgame Press Conference Amir Tyler Postgame Press Conference

PHILADELPHIA – Temple (3-7, 1-5) dropped its seventh game of the season on Saturday afternoon, falling to the Houston Cougars (9-1, 7-0), 37-8. The Owls trailed 10-0 going into halftime, playing through wet conditions throughout much of the first three quarters. A Temple touchdown early in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to two scores which gave the Owls hope for a comeback, but two Houston touchdowns shortly after put the game out of reach.

How It Happened
First Quarter
With QB D'Wan Mathis unable to play due to injury, Justin Lynch got his first start since the Owls defeated Akron earlier in the season. The Owls received the ball first in the contest but could not gain a first down on each of their first two offensive possessions. Houston capitalized on the opportunity the second time around after starting its drive in Temple territory, driving 47 yards on seven plays to take a 7-0 lead midway through the opening quarter. On the Cougars' next offensive possession, a sack by Temple's Darian Varner and a stop on fourth down a few plays later got the ball back for the Owls. The Cherry & White marched down the field and into field goal range thanks in large part to a 15-yard reception by WR Randle Jones as well as a 25-yard reception by RB Ra'Von Bonner.

Second Quarter
The Owls were unable to convert on the field goal attempt however, as a botched hold, possibly due to the wet conditions, led to the missed field goal. On the ensuing Houston drive, the Cougars drove 58 yards to set up a 39-yard field goal from Dalton Witherspoon to extend the lead to 10. A few drives later, the Cougars threatened in Temple territory once again, but the Cherry & White defense stood tall, forcing a field goal that missed wide left in the closing seconds of the first half.

Third Quarter
On the opening possession of the third quarter, an 18-yard rush by Houston's Alton McCaskill moved the ball into the Owls' side of the field. A few plays later, the Cougars converted a 3^rd-and-12 in the red zone before scoring their second touchdown of the game to stretch the lead to 17-0. Following a short drive for Temple, McCaskill sprinted to the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown to add to Houston's advantage. A 21-yard run by Lynch sparked Temple's next drive in which the Owls ended up at the Houston 32-yard line until an interception on a trick play surrendered possession. Temple held the Cougars to a three-and-out to get the ball back going into the fourth quarter.

Fourth Quarter
From there, the Cherry & White marched down the field by way of a 23-yard catch from tight end Jordan Smith. Running back Edward Saydee capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown plunge. A two-point conversion to Darius Pittman brought the Owls to within two scores. Houston answered right back however, as a 35-yard touchdown pass from Clayton Tune to Jaylen Erwin ended the Owls' comeback hopes. Another Houston touchdown with just over six minutes remaining put the Cougars up 37-8.

Statistically Speaking

M.J. Griffin: one sack, two TFLs, team-high nine tackles
Varner: two sacks

Notes

Varner: First two-sack effort since William Kwenkeu did so against Akron.

Up Next
Temple flies back out of the nest to take on Tulsa on Nov. 20 for its final road game of the season. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm and will air on ESPN+.