Game Guide: Rhode Island

Date

Saturday, Sept. 5

Time

2:00 p.m.

Location

Philadelphia, Pa.

Broadcast

ESPN+

PHILADELPHIA – The 2026 Temple football season is upon us as the Owls are set to kickoff against the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday, September 5. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and will kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

Game Central: Rhode Island

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Things to Look for in 2026...

276 and Counting...

Head coach K.C. Keeler enters the 2026 season as the winningest active head coach in the FBS with 276 career wins.

Temple TUFF

The Owls welcomed in five new members to the single-digit fraternity last week. #0 Peter Clarke, #2 Saboor Karriem, #5 Sam Brown V., #6 Grayson Mains, and #8 Eric Stuart will join returning single-digits #1 Colin Chase and #7 Dante Atton.

Year Two Success

Head coach K.C. Keeler sits with a 32-8 record in the second year of his tenure as a head coach. He was 6-3 at Rowan, 15-1 at Delaware, and 11-4 at Sam Houston State.

K.C. Keeler is 15-8 as a head coach in week one contests since 2002.
Rhode Island played last Friday in a 'Week 0' contest. Since 2000, Temple has never played a team that competed in 'Week 0'.
The last time Temple won week one games in back-to-back seasons was in 2014 and 2015 when the Matt Rhule-led Owls beat Vanderbilt and Penn State.

Series History

All-Time SeriesTemple leads, 11-0

Last MeetingTemple, 45-6 • Nov. 8, 1975

Last Temple WinNov. 8, 1975 • W, 45-6

Current StreakTemple, 11

Temple By the Numbers

4Temple will have a different starting quarterback for the fourth-straight season

6Temple will face six new head coaches this season

0.92The Owls had a 0.92 turnover margin in 2025, ranking first in the conference and eighth in the fbs

33K.C. Keeler enters his 33rd season as a head coach in 2026

Scouting Rhode Island 1-0 (0-0)

Last Time Out

W, 34-7 vs. Merrimack

Key Player

QB, Tyler Budge • 13-29 for 128 yards, 1 TD

Team Trend

Forced four turnovers in the win

The Rams hit the field for a week zero contests on Friday against Merrimack and took care of business, winning 34-7. The defense guided the pathway to victory in the contest as the Rams blanked Merrimack's offense over the final 50:15 of the game. The defense forced three turnovers, adding another one on special teams. Linebacker Moses Meus capped off the night for Rhody on defense as he took back a 49-yard pick-six in the final minute of the game.

Quarterback Tyler Budge started the game in place of the injured Devin Farrell. Farrell finished the 2025 season on the First Team All-CAA list after having 27 total touchdowns in 2025. Budge, though, held his own in week zero. He finished the night 13-29 for 128 yards and one touchdown. That one touchdown pass was to fifth year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan. Buchanan has an outstanding 2025 season finishing as an All-American for multiple media outlets. Buchanan was in mid-season form against Merrimack as he ended the night with six catches for 72 yards and one receiving score.

Stats

Up Next

Temple vs. Penn State

Saturday, Sept. 1212:00 PMPhiladelphia, Pa.ESPN2

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