Temple Football Hosts 2024 Spring Game, Defense Defeats Offense 56-41

PHILADELPHIA — The Temple Football team held its annual Spring Game at Edberg-Olson Field on Saturday, April 13, in front of a large crowd of Owls fans.

The event saw numerous festivities before and after the game, including honorary captains Adam Fisher and Diane Richardson (Temple's men's and women's head basketball coaches), pre-game tailgating and street vendors, and a large attendance of Temple fans.

On the gridiron, the White team (defense) finished the action with a 56-41 final score over the Cherry team (offense). A non-traditional scoring event, points were awarded for big plays, takeaways, sacks, etc.

How it Happened

Forrest Brock took the first snap under center for Temple, a drive that ended with a 43-yard field goal by Carl Hardin through a difficult wind.The Cherry team built up a 8-0 lead out of the gates.
The defense responded with a sack and a stopped drive, scoring three points (8-3, Cherry).
The first touchdown of the day was scored on a 17-yard pass from QB Forrest Brock to TE Reese Clark. The score and extra point put the Cherry team up 21-7.
After falling behind 25-12, the White team scored 20 unanswered points, thanks to a turnover (three points) and three three-and-outs (three points each). The play of the day came when LB London Hall picked up a fumble and returned the ball over 60 yards back for a touchdown. The big run by the White team put the defense up 32-25.
Clark had another explosive play (three points) that moved the ball well into scoring territory for the Cherry team. Hardin finished off the drive with a 45-yard field goal that cut the White team's lead to 32-31.
A 10-yard penalty by the offense and three sacks by the defense helped the White team close out the first half with a 40-29 advantage.
Out of halftime, the Owls ran several situational drills, such as the "thud drill" — an offensive drill that started at the five-yard line. The defense kept the momentum going, recording two more sacks and two more three-and-outs to extend the lead to 49-28. LB Diwun Black made a safety during this drill, one of his six sacks on the day. The White team extended its lead to 54-28.
After a penalty on the defense during redzone drills, the offense capitalized with seven more points off a four-yard rushing touchdown from RB EJ Wilson (50-35, White).
Another field goal from Hardin (47 yards) and an explosive play allowed the offense to trim the lead to 51-41 in favor of the White team.
An interception from CB Jaylen Lewis all but sealed the deal, as the White team walked off with a 56-41 victory.

Statistically Speaking

LB Diwun Black led the way on defense with nine total tackles and six sacks.
DT Sekou Kromah totaled nine total tackles and two sacks. CB Jaylen Lewis and LB Corey Yeoman each had six total tackles
QB Forrest Brock led the way for Temple's signal callers, totaling 102 passing yards and one touchdown off 10-19 passing.
RB Joquez Smith totaled 54 rushing yards off eight attempts.
TE Reese Clark led all players in receiving with 87 yards off five catches.