Temple University Athletics
Saturday, October 29
Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia
3:30 p.m.
Temple University
6-3 , 4-1
34
vs
13
Cincinnati
4-4 , 1-4
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
CINCINNATI
0
13
0
0
13
Temple
10
7
3
14
34
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Temple Blows by Cincinnati, 34-13, for Fifth Straight
10.29.16 | Football
PHILADELPHIA — Utilizing a devastating ground game highlighted by senior RB Jahad Thomas and his big-play ability, Temple routed visiting American Athletic foe Cincinnati in a 34-13 dismantling, to the delight of 29,763 fans Saturday evening at Lincoln Financial Field.
The all-around victory was generated off critical snaps within each facet of the matchup; however, a bonanza of special teams plays, including a blocked punt and muffed kickoff return, wrecked havoc on the Cincinnati baseline energy.
With the win, Temple moves to a commanding 6-3 (4-1 American), making the team bowl bound in back-to-back years for the first time in school history. Cincinnati, meanwhile, falls to a 4-4 (1-4 American) mark on the season.
Facing a Bearcat offense averaging over 400 yards per game, the Temple defense stepped up early to force a quick three-and-out. The momentum carried through to the special teams on the ensuing punt, as redshirt senior DL Avery Ellis blocked the kick, his second in two games.
Under direction from senior QB Phillip Walker, the Owls' offense rolled down inside the ten-yard line, only to settle for a short 26-yard field goal from K Aaron Boumerhi. The freshman has been perfect on field goal attempts since replacing junior Austin Jones three games ago, the latter of which is sidelined due to a season-ending injury on a kickoff against Memphis.
When Walker and his unit took over two drives later after a Cincinnati fumble, the group was not to be denied the end zone this time around. With just four plays, Temple covered 55 yards for the touchdown, a majority of which came on a 40-yard scoring toss from Walker to junior Adonis Jennings down the left sideline.
The senior quarterback concluded the evening with no turnovers and two passing touchdowns, throwing 12-of-19 for 199 yards through the air.
The Bearcats, led by QB Gunner Kiel, responded on their first play of the second quarter, scoring on a short, four-yard lob to the back-left corner of the end zone.
Fighting a swing in momentum towards Cincinnati, the Owls' offense broke through behind the efforts of senior RB Jahad Thomas, who gashed the Bearcats with a 56-yard cut up the left sideline. Walker and redshirt sophomore WR Ventell Bryant cleaned up the drive two plays later, connecting on a 28-yard post route at the goal line.
Thomas put together another strong performance despite never finding the end zone himself, ending his NCAA-best streak of consecutive games with two or more touchdowns. On the day, he finished with a team-best 151 yards on 17 carries.
Kiel sought to keep the gap at a one-score margin, compiling a ten-play possession and his second touchdown pass of the day — this time a 10-yard crossing route — for the Bearcats. Despite the narrowing lead, Temple maintained a 17-13 advantage heading into the locker room.
The second half, however, proved wildly different from the offensive-centric first, as the Owls' defense held Cincinnati to zero points in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Walker chewed up clock as he guided the offense on an impressive 15-play drive for a second Boumerhi field goal, this time from 27 yards out.
Eventually, just as the final period began, Temple was able to secure solid footing as sophomore RB Ryquell Armstead punched in two scores on near-consecutive snaps, the first from three-yards out and the second a six-yard grind into the end zone. The highly productive back up finished with 18 carries for 61 yards and the two touchdowns.
The momentum created by Armstead's initial score essentially buried Cincinnati on the ensuing kickoff, as Boumerhi's squib kick slipped through the hands of a returner, before junior Cequan Jefferson dove in for the recovery at the 18-yard line. In decisive fashion, the sophomore tailback would score just four plays later.
Up next, Temple will once again take to the road after the two-game home stand, this time to battle UConn (3-6, 1-5 American), who fell in crushing 41-3 fashion Saturday against East Carolina. Meanwhile, Cincinnati travels back home to face off against non-conference opponent BYU.
Box Score | Video Highlights | Pre-Game Gallery - 1 | Pre-Game Gallery - 2 | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
Press Conferences: Rhule | Walker | Thomas
The all-around victory was generated off critical snaps within each facet of the matchup; however, a bonanza of special teams plays, including a blocked punt and muffed kickoff return, wrecked havoc on the Cincinnati baseline energy.
With the win, Temple moves to a commanding 6-3 (4-1 American), making the team bowl bound in back-to-back years for the first time in school history. Cincinnati, meanwhile, falls to a 4-4 (1-4 American) mark on the season.
Facing a Bearcat offense averaging over 400 yards per game, the Temple defense stepped up early to force a quick three-and-out. The momentum carried through to the special teams on the ensuing punt, as redshirt senior DL Avery Ellis blocked the kick, his second in two games.
Under direction from senior QB Phillip Walker, the Owls' offense rolled down inside the ten-yard line, only to settle for a short 26-yard field goal from K Aaron Boumerhi. The freshman has been perfect on field goal attempts since replacing junior Austin Jones three games ago, the latter of which is sidelined due to a season-ending injury on a kickoff against Memphis.
When Walker and his unit took over two drives later after a Cincinnati fumble, the group was not to be denied the end zone this time around. With just four plays, Temple covered 55 yards for the touchdown, a majority of which came on a 40-yard scoring toss from Walker to junior Adonis Jennings down the left sideline.
The senior quarterback concluded the evening with no turnovers and two passing touchdowns, throwing 12-of-19 for 199 yards through the air.
The Bearcats, led by QB Gunner Kiel, responded on their first play of the second quarter, scoring on a short, four-yard lob to the back-left corner of the end zone.
Fighting a swing in momentum towards Cincinnati, the Owls' offense broke through behind the efforts of senior RB Jahad Thomas, who gashed the Bearcats with a 56-yard cut up the left sideline. Walker and redshirt sophomore WR Ventell Bryant cleaned up the drive two plays later, connecting on a 28-yard post route at the goal line.
Thomas put together another strong performance despite never finding the end zone himself, ending his NCAA-best streak of consecutive games with two or more touchdowns. On the day, he finished with a team-best 151 yards on 17 carries.
Kiel sought to keep the gap at a one-score margin, compiling a ten-play possession and his second touchdown pass of the day — this time a 10-yard crossing route — for the Bearcats. Despite the narrowing lead, Temple maintained a 17-13 advantage heading into the locker room.
The second half, however, proved wildly different from the offensive-centric first, as the Owls' defense held Cincinnati to zero points in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Walker chewed up clock as he guided the offense on an impressive 15-play drive for a second Boumerhi field goal, this time from 27 yards out.
Eventually, just as the final period began, Temple was able to secure solid footing as sophomore RB Ryquell Armstead punched in two scores on near-consecutive snaps, the first from three-yards out and the second a six-yard grind into the end zone. The highly productive back up finished with 18 carries for 61 yards and the two touchdowns.
The momentum created by Armstead's initial score essentially buried Cincinnati on the ensuing kickoff, as Boumerhi's squib kick slipped through the hands of a returner, before junior Cequan Jefferson dove in for the recovery at the 18-yard line. In decisive fashion, the sophomore tailback would score just four plays later.
Up next, Temple will once again take to the road after the two-game home stand, this time to battle UConn (3-6, 1-5 American), who fell in crushing 41-3 fashion Saturday against East Carolina. Meanwhile, Cincinnati travels back home to face off against non-conference opponent BYU.
Box Score | Video Highlights | Pre-Game Gallery - 1 | Pre-Game Gallery - 2 | Game Action Gallery | Post-Game Quotes
Press Conferences: Rhule | Walker | Thomas
Team Stats
CIN
TEM
Total Yards
186
474
Pass Yards
119
199
Rushing Yards
67
275
Penalty Yards
35
25
1st Downs
10
25
3rd Downs
5
7
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
19:37
40:23
1st Quarter
CIN 0, TEM 3
TEM - BOUMERHI,Aaron 26 yd field goal 8 plays, 30 yards, TOP 3:12
CIN 0, TEM 10
TEM - JENNINGS,Adonis 40 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (BOUMERHI,Aaron kick) 4 plays, 55 yards, TOP 1:58
2nd Quarter
CIN 6, TEM 10
CIN - GRAY, Devin 4 yd pass from KIEL, Gunner (PASLEY, Josh kickfailed) 5 plays, 32 yards, TOP 1:41
CIN 6, TEM 17
TEM - BRYANT,Ventell 28 yd pass from WALKER,Phillip (BOUMERHI,Aaron kick) 4 plays, 82 yards, TOP 1:41
CIN 13, TEM 17
CIN - GRAY, Devin 10 yd pass from KIEL, Gunner (PASLEY, Josh kick) 10 plays, 76 yards, TOP 4:35
3rd Quarter
CIN 13, TEM 20
TEM - BOUMERHI,Aaron 27 yd field goal 15 plays, 87 yards, TOP 7:55
4th Quarter
CIN 13, TEM 27
TEM - ARMSTEAD,R. 3 yd run (BOUMERHI,Aaron kick), 8 plays, 67 yards, TOP 3:36
CIN 13, TEM 34
TEM - ARMSTEAD,R. 6 yd run (BOUMERHI,Aaron kick), 4 plays, 18 yards, TOP 2:01
Game Leaders
CMP
12
TD
2
YDS
199
INT
0
Players Mentioned
RB
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K
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WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
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K
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RB
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