Football Loses to Rutgers on Homecoming, 16-14

Saturday, September 17

2:00 PM

Temple University

1-2 , 0-0

Rutgers

3-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Rutgers

Temple

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Football Loses to Rutgers on Homecoming, 16-14

9.17.22 | Football

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PHILADELPHIA – Temple (1-2, 0-0) was defeated by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0, 0-0) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, 16-14. The story of the game was defense, more specifically Rutgers' defensive touchdown by defensive back Shaquan Loyal. The pick-six gave the Scarlet Knights the lead before halftime, which the Owls were never able to match in the second half, albeit keeping the game close until the end.

How It Happened

First Quarter

Rutgers won the toss and elected to kickoff. Temple began its opening drive at the 25-yard line. The Owls and Scarlet Knights traded punts on their initial possessions. The Cherry and White were led down the field by quarterback E.J. Warner, and capped off by a Quincy Patterson rushing touchdown, his first as an Owl, to make it 7-0. Temple's defense forced a second consecutive three and out to get the ball back in the hands of the offense. Punter Mackenzie Morgan would flip the field with excellent downfield punt coverage by cornerback Daiyaan Hawkins. Rutgers tight end Johnny Langan, who is often used in running packages, ran the ball up the gut for a gain of 29 yards, Rutgers' first first down of the game. Langan's run set up a 45-yard Jude McAtamney field goal to make it 7-3 Owls.

Second Quarter

The first drive of the second quarter for Temple was productive in driving the ball down the field but resulted in a punt that pinned the Scarlet Knights deep in their own territory. A three and out, capped off by a Layton Jordan sack, gave the ball right back to Temple. Rutgers defensive back Shaquan Loyal got pressure on Warner, tipping a pass to himself that he returned for a pick-six to make it 10-7 Rutgers. Temple would fail to convert on fourth down from its own side of the field, setting up Rutgers with prime field position before halftime. The Scarlet Knights were not able to add points, thanks to a missed field goal with time winding down in the half.

Third Quarter

Rutgers received the ball to begin the second half. The teams would trade punts on their initial drives of the half. After a drive was extended due to a pass interference penalty, McAtamney added a field goal to extend the Rutgers lead, 13-7.

Fourth Quarter

A turnover on downs by Temple put Rutgers in the Owls territory, which led to another McAtamney field goal to make it 16-7. The Owls would strike back quickly, with Warner finding tight end Jordan Smith for a 47-yard touchdown, his second in as many weeks to make the score 16-14. In the ensuing drive, Rutgers marched down the field but a monumental sack by defensive end Layton Jordan, his second of the game, drew them out of field goal range. On the next drive, Temple converted a risky fourth down play deep in their own zone, on a pass to Ian Stewart. E.J. Warner drove them down to about midfield before the Scarlet Knights stopped the Owls on downs with 2:25 remaining in the game. Temple was then forced to eat up all their timeouts in an attempt the get the ball back but couldn't contain the rushing from tight end Johnny Langan. Rutgers then kneeled it out to finish off the close game.

Notes

Temple's defense held the Rutgers offense to only 201 total yards and no touchdowns.
E.J. Warner made first career start.
Quincy Patterson scored first touchdown with the Owls.
Jordan Smith scored a touchdown in second consecutive game.

Statistically Speaking