Temple University Athletics
"Just the Facts" Machine
9.20.15 | Football
News & Notes Following Temple's 25-23 Win at UMass
Temple has now opened the season with a 3-0 record. That ties for the longest winning streak in the two-and-a-half seasons under head coach Matt Rhule and is the first 3-0 start since 2010. The Owls have not opened a season 4-0 since 1974 when they started 6-0 en route to a 8-2 record.
The Temple defense leads the conference in both sacks (12 – 4th in the NCAA) and interceptions (6 – 7th in the NCAA). The team's +3 turnover ratio (8/5) also paces the conference.
The defense forced eight 3-and-outs at UMass. They have now forced 18 three-and-outs on 42 qualifying opponent possessions this season.
The offense was 6-9 on third downs of 6-or-fewer yards (8-19 overall). Conversely, the defense held UMass to just 1-12 on third downs of 6-or-more yards (3-17 overall).
Since taking the lead late in the second quarter vs. Penn State, the Owls have trailed for less than 7 minutes this season in the following two-and-a-half games. Overall, Temple has had a lead for 93:46 of the 180 minutes played this season.
Since being held without points in the season's opening quarter vs. Penn State, Temple has scored points in each of the following 11 quarters this season. Its most productive quarter has been right after halftime with a 34-6 advantage in the third quatrter.
It was the first ever game in the series against UMass. The teams are scheduled to play again in 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls next opponent, Charlotte, will also be the first matchup between the two schools of a home-and-home series in 2015-16.
Temple featured a pair of high school teammates starting on each side of the ball. On offense, junior QB P.J. Walker and junior RB Jahad Thomas have received their share of recognition recently for their friendship dating back before their time winning a state championship at Elizabeth High in New Jersey. On defense, redshirt-junior LB Stephaun Marshall and redshirt-junior DL Avery Ellis both earned a start in yesterday's game. That was Ellis' first career start. The two have been friends since their days at Montclair (NJ) High.
Marshall was the difference maker at UMass. While sharing the strongside linebacker position with Avery Williams, Marshall got the start this week and contributed a relatively quiet four tackles through the games first 57 minutes. However, with Temple holding just a three point lead and UMass with the ball, Marshall intercepted QB Blake Frohnapfel to give the Owls a chance to run out the clock. A quick turnover by Temple resulted in a UMass score giving the hosts a 23-20 lead. The Owls blocked the extra point attempt, and Marshall scooped it up and alertly lateraled to teammate Will Hayes who returned it for two points. That proved to be the difference when the Owls drove down for a game-winning 32-yard FG.
Redshirt-junior Praise Martin-Oguike was credited with the blocked PAT. It is the third blocked kick he has had in the past eight games.
Walker had what may be looked at as a defining moment in his career. The QB threw for a career-high 391 yards, the third most in Temple history, and led the team to a thrilling 4th quarter comeback. Overall he made use of eight different receivers including a strike to sophomore WR Adonis Jennings for a TD. But it was in the games final drive that he shined brightest. With 1:16 on the clock he marched the Owls 50 yards, completing 6 of 9 passes, including two 3rd-and-6 throws to WR John Christopher. That set the stage for kicker Austin Jones to win the game with a 32-yard chip shot FG for a 25-23 victory. He completed six passes of 20+ yards, including a 53-yarder to Robby Anderson – his longest of the season. Walker had a streak of 140 consecutive passes without an interception snapped in the second quarter.
Sophomore kicker Austin Jones had a career-high 11 points including the game-winning 32-yard FG with just two seconds remaining. Temple has been looking for a reliable kicker since Brandon McManus (Denver Broncos) graduated in 2012 and Jones looks like the answer. So far this season he has made all seven FG attempts and all nine PATs.
Redshirt senior John Christopher had a career-best seven catches and 72 yards. He shined as Walker's go-to guy to extend drives. Six of his seven catches went for first downs, including five conversions on 3rd down.
Jahad Thomas continues to lead the American Athletic Conference in rushing yards (394), all-purpose yards (677) and kickoff returns (33.2). He leads the NCAA all-purpose yards. Yesterday he contributed two runs of 10+ yards, a 27-yard reception, and a kickoff return of 31-yards, among his 164 all-purpose output.
Redshirt-senior Nate D. Smith has recorded a sack in each of the first three games and leads the team and the conference with 4.0 QB takedowns.
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Temple has now opened the season with a 3-0 record. That ties for the longest winning streak in the two-and-a-half seasons under head coach Matt Rhule and is the first 3-0 start since 2010. The Owls have not opened a season 4-0 since 1974 when they started 6-0 en route to a 8-2 record.
The Temple defense leads the conference in both sacks (12 – 4th in the NCAA) and interceptions (6 – 7th in the NCAA). The team's +3 turnover ratio (8/5) also paces the conference.
The defense forced eight 3-and-outs at UMass. They have now forced 18 three-and-outs on 42 qualifying opponent possessions this season.
The offense was 6-9 on third downs of 6-or-fewer yards (8-19 overall). Conversely, the defense held UMass to just 1-12 on third downs of 6-or-more yards (3-17 overall).
Since taking the lead late in the second quarter vs. Penn State, the Owls have trailed for less than 7 minutes this season in the following two-and-a-half games. Overall, Temple has had a lead for 93:46 of the 180 minutes played this season.
Since being held without points in the season's opening quarter vs. Penn State, Temple has scored points in each of the following 11 quarters this season. Its most productive quarter has been right after halftime with a 34-6 advantage in the third quatrter.
It was the first ever game in the series against UMass. The teams are scheduled to play again in 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls next opponent, Charlotte, will also be the first matchup between the two schools of a home-and-home series in 2015-16.
Temple featured a pair of high school teammates starting on each side of the ball. On offense, junior QB P.J. Walker and junior RB Jahad Thomas have received their share of recognition recently for their friendship dating back before their time winning a state championship at Elizabeth High in New Jersey. On defense, redshirt-junior LB Stephaun Marshall and redshirt-junior DL Avery Ellis both earned a start in yesterday's game. That was Ellis' first career start. The two have been friends since their days at Montclair (NJ) High.
Marshall was the difference maker at UMass. While sharing the strongside linebacker position with Avery Williams, Marshall got the start this week and contributed a relatively quiet four tackles through the games first 57 minutes. However, with Temple holding just a three point lead and UMass with the ball, Marshall intercepted QB Blake Frohnapfel to give the Owls a chance to run out the clock. A quick turnover by Temple resulted in a UMass score giving the hosts a 23-20 lead. The Owls blocked the extra point attempt, and Marshall scooped it up and alertly lateraled to teammate Will Hayes who returned it for two points. That proved to be the difference when the Owls drove down for a game-winning 32-yard FG.
Redshirt-junior Praise Martin-Oguike was credited with the blocked PAT. It is the third blocked kick he has had in the past eight games.
Walker had what may be looked at as a defining moment in his career. The QB threw for a career-high 391 yards, the third most in Temple history, and led the team to a thrilling 4th quarter comeback. Overall he made use of eight different receivers including a strike to sophomore WR Adonis Jennings for a TD. But it was in the games final drive that he shined brightest. With 1:16 on the clock he marched the Owls 50 yards, completing 6 of 9 passes, including two 3rd-and-6 throws to WR John Christopher. That set the stage for kicker Austin Jones to win the game with a 32-yard chip shot FG for a 25-23 victory. He completed six passes of 20+ yards, including a 53-yarder to Robby Anderson – his longest of the season. Walker had a streak of 140 consecutive passes without an interception snapped in the second quarter.
Sophomore kicker Austin Jones had a career-high 11 points including the game-winning 32-yard FG with just two seconds remaining. Temple has been looking for a reliable kicker since Brandon McManus (Denver Broncos) graduated in 2012 and Jones looks like the answer. So far this season he has made all seven FG attempts and all nine PATs.
Redshirt senior John Christopher had a career-best seven catches and 72 yards. He shined as Walker's go-to guy to extend drives. Six of his seven catches went for first downs, including five conversions on 3rd down.
Jahad Thomas continues to lead the American Athletic Conference in rushing yards (394), all-purpose yards (677) and kickoff returns (33.2). He leads the NCAA all-purpose yards. Yesterday he contributed two runs of 10+ yards, a 27-yard reception, and a kickoff return of 31-yards, among his 164 all-purpose output.
Redshirt-senior Nate D. Smith has recorded a sack in each of the first three games and leads the team and the conference with 4.0 QB takedowns.
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Players Mentioned
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