Temple University Athletics
Thursday, October 22
Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium - Greenville, N.C.
7:00 p.m.
Temple University
at
East Carolina
#22/24 Football Travels to East Carolina for Weeknight Divisional Showdown
10.20.15 | Football
PHILADELPHIA -- The #22/24 Temple football team returns to the road for a weeknight tussle with division rival East Carolina on Thursday. The game will kick-off at 7:00 p.m. and will air nationally on ESPN2. Â
Last Time Out
Temple defeated UCF, 30-16, at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night. Jahad Thomas rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler Matakevich recorded his 400th career tackle in the win, which was the sixth-straight for the Owls.Â
Nationally-Ranked
The undefeated Temple team is ranked in both polls for the first time in school history. The Owls hold the top spot in the American Athletic Conference's East Division, one game up on East Carolina.Â
The Match-Up
Temple (6-0, 3-0) enters the game with a strong offense led by two high school teammates. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker and running back Jahad Thomas both matriculated from Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Philadelphia and have brought the Owls to new heights. Walker has eclipsed 1,000 passing yards in his first six games, also improving his decision-making from 2014 and limiting his turnovers. Thomas has become the primary running back for head coach Matt Rhule's traditionally-focused offense, setting new career highs and recording a rushing score in each game so far. Walker and his veteran offensive line will have to contend with East Carolina's (4-3, 2-1) strong pass rush, led by linebacker Montese Overton. Overton set a new conference mark with four sacks at SMU earlier this month.
When the Pirates have the ball, they'll face the American's top defense in yards and points allowed. East Carolina has two dangerous quarterbacks that the Owls will have to defend. Starter Blake Kemp has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, while James Summers has rushed for five scores this season. Temple's defense has 11 interceptions in the first six games, tied for the conference lead. The rush defense, led by senior defensive linemen Nate D. Smith and Matt Ioannidis, is top-10 nationally, averaging under 100 yards allowed per game.
The Last Time
In their last meeting, Temple pulled off the upset, topping the #21/19 Pirates 20-10 at Lincoln Financial Field. The win gave the Owls their first upset of a nationally ranked team at home. Defensive lineman Praise Martin-Oguike was a huge factor to the victory, recording 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and blocking a field goal. Defensive back Tavon Young returned a forced fumble 63 yards to paydirt to open scoring. Kenny Harper had two rushing touchdowns in the contest for the Owls, who improved to 5-3 after the victory.
Up Next
Following the East Carolina game, Temple returns home to Philadelphia for a Halloween clash with Notre Dame. The Owls will face the Irish in front of sellout crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. Saturday's game-time is set for 8:00 p.m., with the game airing on ABC.Â
Game Notes | Conference Release | Press Conference
Â
Last Time Out
Temple defeated UCF, 30-16, at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday night. Jahad Thomas rushed for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler Matakevich recorded his 400th career tackle in the win, which was the sixth-straight for the Owls.Â
Nationally-Ranked
The undefeated Temple team is ranked in both polls for the first time in school history. The Owls hold the top spot in the American Athletic Conference's East Division, one game up on East Carolina.Â
The Match-Up
Temple (6-0, 3-0) enters the game with a strong offense led by two high school teammates. Junior quarterback P.J. Walker and running back Jahad Thomas both matriculated from Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Philadelphia and have brought the Owls to new heights. Walker has eclipsed 1,000 passing yards in his first six games, also improving his decision-making from 2014 and limiting his turnovers. Thomas has become the primary running back for head coach Matt Rhule's traditionally-focused offense, setting new career highs and recording a rushing score in each game so far. Walker and his veteran offensive line will have to contend with East Carolina's (4-3, 2-1) strong pass rush, led by linebacker Montese Overton. Overton set a new conference mark with four sacks at SMU earlier this month.
When the Pirates have the ball, they'll face the American's top defense in yards and points allowed. East Carolina has two dangerous quarterbacks that the Owls will have to defend. Starter Blake Kemp has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, while James Summers has rushed for five scores this season. Temple's defense has 11 interceptions in the first six games, tied for the conference lead. The rush defense, led by senior defensive linemen Nate D. Smith and Matt Ioannidis, is top-10 nationally, averaging under 100 yards allowed per game.
The Last Time
In their last meeting, Temple pulled off the upset, topping the #21/19 Pirates 20-10 at Lincoln Financial Field. The win gave the Owls their first upset of a nationally ranked team at home. Defensive lineman Praise Martin-Oguike was a huge factor to the victory, recording 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and blocking a field goal. Defensive back Tavon Young returned a forced fumble 63 yards to paydirt to open scoring. Kenny Harper had two rushing touchdowns in the contest for the Owls, who improved to 5-3 after the victory.
Up Next
Following the East Carolina game, Temple returns home to Philadelphia for a Halloween clash with Notre Dame. The Owls will face the Irish in front of sellout crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. Saturday's game-time is set for 8:00 p.m., with the game airing on ABC.Â
Game Notes | Conference Release | Press Conference
Â
Players Mentioned
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