No. 20 Miami storms through Temple in 41-7 victory

Photo by: Ikram Adam

Temple entered today’s game without a win against Miami in 93 years. Today was no difference as Temple dropped its 14th straight game to No. 20 Miami Hurricanes on a cold and rainy Saturday 41-7.

The Owls (2-2, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) struggled on both sides of the ball.

Outside of a Reece Clark seven-yard touchdown reception before halftime, the Owls struggled to move the ball. Miami (4-0, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) entered today’s game with a top-18 defense in the nation and proved it today allowing 279 total yards. 

A Stan Drayton led offense will always want to run the ball effectively, Saturday that did not happen. The Owls finished with a total of two rushing yards to end the first half and finished the game with just 11 yards.

“If we can’t establish the run in the style of offense we’re playing, its going to struggle,” Drayton said.

The offense struggled to keep possession of the football as well. Quarterback E.J. Warner totaled three turnovers on the day, including two interceptions to Miami cornerback Te’Corey Couch.

Defensively, Temple entered the game short-handed as linebacker Yvandy Rigby and cornerback Jalen McMurray both were held out after testing their injuries pregame. 

“We had the intention to play our best guys,” Drayton said. “I didn’t think they could give the type of effortthat we needed out here today to be competitive.”

This proved to be costly for the Owls’ defense as Miami totaled 543 yards. Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke had a modest but efficient statline recording 220 passing yards and three touchdowns.

During Monday’s press conference, Drayton mentioned he wanted his defensive line to step up and have a big game this afternoon. However, Miami running back Henry Parrish Jr. finished with 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns, becoming the second running back this season to record their career high against Temple.

Temple has a short time to move on from this game as they begin conference play Thursday night (7:30 p.m. ESPN+) against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-2, 0-0 AAC) at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Drayton believes his team will do just that.

“We got to flush it in a hurry,” Drayton said. “I got some good leadership in that locker room… they don’t like losing, it does not feel good for anybody in this program.”