Temple Routs SMU in American Opener, 45-20

Saturday, October 1

Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia

12:00 p.m.

Temple University

3-2 , 1-0

SMU

2-3 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

SMU

Temple

Temple Routs SMU in American Opener, 45-20

10.1.16 | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Video Highlights Pre-Game Gallery Game Action Gallery Matt Rhule Press Conference Ryquell Armstead Press Conference Haason Reddick Haason Reddick Press Conference Post-Game Quotes

By: Jim Sullivan

PHILADELPHIA — Aiming to make a splash in the American Conference debut, the Temple offensive and defensive fronts gave no ground as they guided the Owls into the win column, knocking off visiting SMU in a 45-20 thrashing on Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. A combination of consistent quarterback pressure and a punishing ground attack proved the difference for the Owls in the victory, surging past the Mustangs in decisive fashion.

With the game teetering on the brink of a Temple blowout midway through the second quarter, senior DE Haason Reddick saw his opportunity to put away the victory on an SMU third-and-6. Blowing by the right tackle, Reddick smashed into Mustang QB Ben Hicks full force, triggering a fumble that was promptly palmed by fellow senior Romond Deloatch and corralled into the endzone.

The touchdown extended the Owl lead to a commanding 28 points, a margin that was narrowly slimmed throughout the remainder of the matchup. The advantage forced SMU into panic mode early, an edge for the high-energy Temple defensive front.

The critical victory marks the first in the Owls' defense of last season's Eastern Division Title, as they improve to 3-2 (1-0 American) on the year. The Mustangs, meanwhile, fall to 2-3 (0-1 American) and turn their attention to a Tulsa road trip next weekend.

A rocky start for Temple — highlighted by senior QB Phillip Walker throwing a pick-six — was quickly remedied by, surprisingly enough, punter Alex Starzyk. After Temple's second drive stalled three snaps in, the junior drove a kick into the back of an SMU blocker, allowing Reddick to recover the live ball.

Seven plays later, senior RB Jahad Thomas burst through a truck-sized hole for an untouched 12-yard touchdown run, knotting the score at 7-7. From that point on, the Owls' offense never looked back, surgically picking apart the Mustang defense.

The ensuing Temple possession lasted just a single play, as Walker redeemed his opening gaffe with a 42-yard connection to now-healthy sophomore WR Ventell Bryant for the duo's first score of the season. The touchdown gave the Owls a 14-7 lead, an advantage they did not relinquish.

Walker's early struggles were short-lived, as the senior wrapped up the win with 124 yards passing on 7-of-18 and his lone touchdown to Bryant. The receiving corps saw a plethora of distribution from the signal caller as well, with three wideouts topping 30 yards, the best of which came from junior Keith Kirkwood (41 yards on three receptions).

A second sophomore, this time RB Ryquell Armstead, crossed the goal line next for the Owls following a few back-and-forth punts, punching it in after a 34-yard Walker-to-Deloatch toss set Temple up at the one-yard line. To cap the offense's first half, Thomas made his second endzone appearance of the day minutes into the second quarter, breaking off a 15-yard rush for the score.

For the game, the senior tailback finished with 16 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns, jumping him into sole possession of third place on Temple's all-time career scoring list (26 touchdowns).

The real story of the half, though, proved the stout defensive performance, giving up just 100 yards and a lone, late touchdown to a statistically high-powered Mustang offense. Along with the forced fumble, the stingy unit also grabbed two interceptions — by senior DB Nate L. Smith and sophomore LB Jared Folks, respectively — as sophomore DB Delvon Randall led the team in tackles (5).

As exciting and point-happy as the first half was for both teams, the final two quarters proved conflictingly quiet. The third saw only an Austin Jones' field goal for Temple, pushing the lead to a comfortable 38-14, before the Mustangs added only their second offensive score of the game on a 14-yard pass to open the final period.

With SMU finally showing some life, the Owls decided to answer with vigor on their ensuing drive. Once again, the ground game came through as Armstead shrugged off defenders in a 37-yard sprint into the endzone.

The sophomore impressed throughout the game, particularly during the final two quarters, finishing with a career-best 159 yards on 15 rushes for two scores of his own.

A defensive stand inside the ten-yard line helped close out the victory, as SMU failed to convert four straight snaps deep in the red zone. Randall concluded the game with a career-best double-digit tackle mark (10) while both Smith and redshirt freshman LB Chapelle Russell added seven tackles each.

Temple follows up the victory with a short week and a Thursday night road trip to Memphis, who the Owls defeated last year 31-12 in Philadelphia. The Tigers stand at 3-1 to kickoff the season, dropping their first loss on Saturday in a road challenge against Ole Miss.

Box Score | Video Highlights | Pre-Game Gallery | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes

Press Conferences: Rhule | Armstead | Reddick