Football Drops OT Decision to Army, 31-28

Saturday, October 21

West Point, N.Y.

12:00 p.m. EST

Temple University

3-5

Army

6-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

TEMPLE

Army West Point

Photo by: Zamani Feelings

Football Drops OT Decision to Army, 31-28

10.21.17 | Football

Box Score PDF Box Score Photo Gallery - Game Action Geoff Collins Press Conference

PHILADELPHIA - In a matchup that showcased two squads unwilling to back down, Temple failed to convert on an overtime field goal, falling to Army in a tight 31-28 OT contest Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium. The Owls performed well despite a slew of injuries and first-time starters on both sides of the ball, ultimately coming up short on the road against a relentless Black Knights unit.

Keys to the Game

> Army kicked off the scoring on the Black Knights' second possession of the game, taking the ball 68 yards over 12 plays before wrapping up the drive with an 11-yard touchdown rush by Darnell Woolfolk.

> The Black Knights' special teams came through to set up their following offensive drive, as a blocked punt placed Army at the Owls' 28-yard line. Two plays later, including a 24-yard pass, Army extended its lead out to 14-0 early in the second quarter.

> Temple took over its next possession with purpose, responding behind WR Isaiah Wright's 50-yard touchdown run. The sophomore broke away under the guise of a unique formation, drifting between defenders en route to the end zone.

> After the Temple defense shut down Army near midfield, the Owls' took over deep in their own territory. First-time starter QB Frank Nutile then proceeded to orchestrate an 83-yard touchdown drive to knot the game at 14 apiece, culminating with a 37-yard bomb to senior WR Adonis Jennings for the score.

> The third quarter proved nearly as uneventful as the first, as the only highlight came as Temple K Aaron Boumerhi clanged a 32-yard field goal off the right upright.

> Near the start of the final period, the Owls were finally able to earn their first lead of the day. Nutile kickstarted the drive with a 36-yard toss to redshirt junior RB David Hood before junior RB Ryquell Armstead broke loose on a 43-yard scamper for the Temple touchdown and the 21-14 edge.

> Late in the fourth quarter, the Black Knights found a response of their own, as Woolfolk sprinted 44 yards for a game-tying score, 21-21.

> The ensuing Temple possession saw a very methodical offensive drive by the Owls, as Nutile guided his unit down the field for their fourth touchdown of the game. Armstead again showed his toughness, breaking multiple tackles on a 21-yard push into the end zone, giving Temple a 28-21 advantage with less than two minutes to play.

> With just one second remaining, Army once again closed the gap on the Owls, scoring on a 16-yard touchdown pass from back-up QB Hopkins to WR Adams. With the late score tying the game 28 all, Temple advances to its first overtime matchup since 2012.

> With the Owls winning the coin toss, they elected to play defense to kickoff OT. Army took advantage of the opening possession, drilling a 29-yard field goal for the three-point lead.

> Despite the Temple offense performing similar to their counterpart, Boumerhi failed to convert on a 27-yard attempt, ending the game in Army's favor, 31-28.

Game Notes

> On the game, the Owls saw five new players make their first career starts: redshirt junior Frank Nutile at QB, redshirt junior James McHale at LT, redshirt junior Jaelin Robinson at LG, redshirt junior Gordon Thomas at C and redshirt sophomore Deandre Kelly at DE.

> Redshirt freshman Jonny Forrest stepped onto the field for the first time as a Temple Owl, earning time on special teams throughout the game. .

> Senior S Sean Chandler, a four-year veteran in the Temple secondary, grabbed his first interception of the year on the final play of the opening half. With the pick, Chandler jumps up another spot to 11th all-time in career interceptions (8) with Temple.

> Do-it-all sophomore Isaiah Wright compiled two 50-yard plus plays on the day, as he picked up a 50-yard rush in the second quarter and a 51-yard reception in the third.

> The joint sack on the Black Knights' final drive by Temple seniors DE Jacob Martin and DE Sharif Finch marked the first Army has given up all year.

> Temple advanced to an overtime matchup for the first time since 2012, when the Owls dropped UConn in a 17-14 victory on the road.

Up Next

The Owls receive a well-deserved bye week following the road trip before turning their attention to conference foe and Army rival Navy, facing the Midshipmen in a night matchup on Thursday, November 2.