Temple Owls on Fire After Win Against Ranked Memphis

The Temple Owls have been on fire so far this season, going against teams like Maryland and East Carolina. Saturday’s game against Memphis was a big one, as not only it was Temple’s homecoming game, but Memphis is also a ranked team with a 5-0 record this season. Despite this, the Owls soared and secured a victory at home in front of a crowd of 34,253 fans with a final score of 30-28. This was the first time in program history that Temple has defeated two nationally-ranked opponents in a season, and boy is there a lot to talk about. Here are the highlights from this weeks game! 

Offense: 

In Saturday’s game, Temple’s offense did a great job in executing some great plays. In opening drive, RB Jager Gardner scored the first touchdown of the game, giving the Owls the lead with 7-0. In total, Gardner had 18 carries for 77 yards, a shining player on Saturday! 

QB Anthony Russo completed 20 out of 33 pass attempts, for a total of 224 yards and 2 TDs. Backup QB Todd Centeio also did well, with 3 completions out of the 3 pass attempts for 32 yards. WR Branden Mack had a career high in Saturday’s game, with 9 receptions for 125 yards and 1 TD. Other key offense players include RB Re’Mahn Davis who had 23 carries for 72 yards and WR Isaiah Wright who had 6 receptions for 56 yards and 1 TD. 

Defense: 

The Owls defense lived up to the Temple TUFF reputation in Saturday’s game, having some big plays and ultimately forcing four turnovers for Memphis. The defense was strong part of the victory in the game, with some key performers including: CB Harrison Hand, who had 9 total tackles and 6 solo tackles, S Ayron Monroe with 7 total tackles and 5 solo, and LB Chapelle Russell with 7 total tackles and 4 solo. 

Temple Ranked in the Top 25 Coaches Poll? 

Talk of Temple becoming a ranked team was in the works as they beat both Maryland and East Carolina, and the Memphis game was a large factor in determining where the Owls would stand in terms of a national ranking. The Owls, now 5-1, are ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll with their 30-28 victory over Memphis.