Temple University Athletics
Temple University
1-0 , 0-0
Rhode Island
1-1 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Temple | 10 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
Temple Secures Week One Win Over Rhode Island
9.5.26 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Temple (1-0) opened the 2026 season with a 38-14 victory over Rhode Island (1-1) on Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Owls rushed for 227 yards, led by Keveun Mason's career day of 158 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Jaxon Smolik threw an 18-yard touchdown to Jayce Freeman on his first career pass attempt as Temple scored on each of its first two possessions.
Temple's defense supplied two touchdowns of its own. Jamarcus Pierre returned an interception 35 yards for a score in the second quarter before Tyree Alualu added a 63-yard pick-six in the fourth, giving the Owls two interception-return touchdowns in the same game for the first time in program history.
Game Highlights
- Temple scored on each of its first two possessions, opening with a touchdown before Carl Hardin connected on a 33-yard field goal.
- JoJo Bermudez returned four punts for 86 yards, including a 47-yard return in the third quarter.
- Temple held Rhode Island scoreless in the second half and to 97 rushing yards for the game.
- Kevin Hornbeak and Davier Bishop each recorded a sack.
How It Happened
Temple wasted little time taking the lead. After Ajani Sheppard opened the game with a 21-yard completion to Colin Chase, Jaxon Smolik entered and connected with Jayce Freeman for an 18-yard touchdown on his first career pass attempt. Rhode Island answered with a 35-yard touchdown from Tyler Budge to Marquis Buchanan, but Carl Hardin's 33-yard field goal put Temple back in front, 10-7.
The defense provided the next big swing. Jamarcus Pierre intercepted Budge and returned it 35 yards for his first career touchdown, extending the lead to 17-7. Rhode Island cut the margin to three late in the half, but Keveun Mason capped a 75-yard two-minute drive with a one-yard touchdown run to send Temple into halftime ahead, 24-14.
Temple took control after the break. The Owls held Rhode Island scoreless in the third quarter, while Mason finished an 82-yard, 17-play drive with his second touchdown of the day to make it 31-14.
Tyree Alualu put the game away in the fourth quarter when he intercepted Budge and raced 63 yards down the sideline for Temple's second pick-six of the afternoon. The Owls forced another turnover later in the quarter when Jordan Montgomery forced a fumble recovered by Bryson Goodwin and closed out the 38-14 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Keveun Mason finished with 192 all-purpose yards, the fifth-most by a Temple player in a season opener since 1995.
- Mason's 158 rushing yards rank second among Temple season-opening performances since 1995, behind Tanardo Sharps' 180 at Navy in 2000.
- Temple finished with 369 yards of total offense and averaged 6.0 yards per play.
- The Owls were 4-for-4 in the red zone and 2-for-2 on fourth down.
- Temple's defense recorded six tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
URI 0, TEM 7
TEM - Freeman,Jayce 18 yd pass from Smolik,Jaxon (Hardin,Carl kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:31
URI 7, TEM 7
URI - Buchanan,Marquis 35 yd pass from Budge,Tyler (Groff,Ty kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:58
URI 7, TEM 10
TEM - Hardin,Carl 33 yd field goal 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 04:03
URI 7, TEM 17
TEM - Pierre,Jamarcus 35 yd interception (Hardin,Carl kick)
URI 14, TEM 17
URI - Budge,Tyler 1 yd run (Groff,Ty kick), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 06:58
URI 14, TEM 24
TEM - Mason,Keveun 1 yd run (Hardin,Carl kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:06
URI 14, TEM 31
TEM - Mason,Keveun 3 yd run (Hardin,Carl kick), 17 plays, 82 yards, TOP 08:16
URI 14, TEM 38
TEM - Alualu,Tyree 63 yd interception (Hardin,Carl kick)
