Temple Falls to East Carolina at Home

Saturday, November 1

2:00 PM

Temple University

5-4 , 3-2

East Carolina

5-3 , 3-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

East Carolina

Temple

Temple Falls to East Carolina at Home

11.1.25 | Football

Box Score K.C. Keeler Press Conference Allan Haye and Evan Simon Press Conference Photo Gallery

PHILADELPHIA -- The Temple Owls (5-4, 3-2 American) defeated the East Carolina Pirates (5-3, 3-1 AMER) 45-14 in front of a crowd of 13,168 at Lincoln Financial Field.

How It Happened

For the eighth time this season, the Owls won the opening coin toss and, this time, elected to defer to the second half sending the defense onto the field first. The Pirates got chunk play after chunk play to open the day on offense. A big 28-yard run by London Montgomery was followed by a 35-yard pass-and-catch from quarterback Katin Houser to Anthony Smith. ECU would punch it in soon after through the air on a connection from Houser to Yannick Smith from seven yards out. The visitors held an early 7-0 lead just 1:52 into the game. The Temple offense kept the ball in the air on the first three plays of the day for that side of the ball, and it resulted in a quick three-and-out. On the ensuing ECU drive, the Owls did what has been a focus for them all season long, take the ball away from the opposing offense. On a deep ball down the field, the ball deflected off the intended wide receiver and fell into the arms of safety Pooh Lawton. The Temple offense, however, did something it hadn't done all season long and that's turn the ball over through the air. Evan Simon's pass was intercepted by Ja'Marley Riddle. The very next play, the Pirates extended the lead. On a jet sweep, Anthony Smith took the ball and blew past defenders for a 45-yard rushing score. The next ECU offensive possession was yet another timely turnover forced by the Temple defense. Safety Jamere Jones not only forced the fumble, but he recovered the ball that set the offense up at the ECU 27-yard line. Thanks to a pass interference by the Pirate defense on third down, the Owls were set up inside the ten. Two plays later, Jay Ducker burst through the offensive line to get the Owls on the board with the four-yard score. ECU led 14-7 with 4:31 remaining in the first quarter. The first ECU punt of the day followed the Temple scoring drive. Cam'Ron Stewart stopped a Houser run on third-and-eight to end the drive.
The Temple offense got into a real rhythm to start the second frame. This drive largely featured running back Keveun Mason. The true freshman notched not only his longest rush of his young career on the drive, but also his first touchdown. From 29-yards out, Mason took the hand off and broke through tackles to even the score at 14 points. East Carolina got the ball back with 11:18 left in the first half and retook the lead. The Pirates had a true 'ground and pound' drive as they ran the ball 11 times in a row, which resulted in a 15-yard rushing touchdown by backup quarterback Mike Wright Jr. The first punt of the quarter came on the following Temple offensive drive, and the Pirates would start the next drive from the ECU 27-yard line. Three plays later, the ECU offense would extend the lead to 14 points. Yannick Smith hauled in his second receiving score of the day, this one being a 59-yard catch-and-run. Temple would get the ball back down 28-14 with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter. The Owls' offense would sputter out on the next drive just before midfield. Dante Atton would lay a beautiful punt down that took 12 seconds off the clock and pinned ECU at their own nine-yard line, and it would eventually lead us to halftime.
The second half started with a three-and-out by the Temple offense. The Temple defense held the Pirates to what would've been a three-and-out, but ECU gained 21 yards on a fake punt that extended the drive. Six plays later, the Pirates would cash in. Montgomery would score his first touchdown of the day from 19 yards out to put the Pirates up 35-14 with 8:42 remaining in the third. Temple's next offensive drive would result in another punt by Atton who would pin the Pirates at their own three-yard line. ECU would not be deterred by this, however, and would quickly and efficiently march down the field. ECU added to the lead by way of a one-yard run from Marlon Gunn Jr. The visitors held a 42-14 lead with 3:52 left in the quarter.
ECU's last possession of the third quarter spilled into the fourth, and it yet again resulted in points. This time, kicker Nick Mazzie got in on the action ad he knocked through a 46-yard field goal making it 45-14 Pirates. Gevani McCoy entered at quarterback for the Owls in the fourth quarter. The redshirt senior led Temple down the field late in the game, however, on fourth down from the ECU four, the Owls could not convert. The Pirates would take time off the clock on the ensuing offensive drive which would eventually end the contest.

Statistically Speaking

Temple secured its third win at home this season. This feat continues a three-year streak of picking up three wins in a season at Lincoln Financial Field.
Pooh Lawton picked up his first FBS interception of his career in today's game. He had three while at Slippery Rock in the FCS.
Lawton also finished the game with a career-high in tackles at either level of play. He notched six solo tackles on the day.
Freshman running back Keveun Mason secured his first touchdown of his career in today's game. The scoring play was also the longest rush of his career at 29-yards.
Mason set more career-highs on the day. He had seven carries for 48 yards, both being career-highs.
Despite the result, the Owls won the turnover battle once again this season. Temple took the ball away from the Pirates twice, while only conceding the ball once.
Linebacker Curly Ordonez racked up 14 tackles on the day. This marks a career-high for the junior. This also marks a season-high for any Owl in 2025.

Up Next

The Owls will go on its second bye week of the season in week 12. The following week, however, Temple will play its final home contest of the 2025 season against the Tulane Green Wave on Saturday, Nov. 22. Fans can tune into Temple's radio broadcast by going to OwlSports.com/listen.