Owls Drop Thriller to Navy in Last Minute

PHOTO BY JAISON NIEVES

PHILADELPHIA, PA- With all of Philly’s sports struggles this week, Temple looked to give the city some hope, but instead only added to the misery.

The Owls, unfortunately, could not hold onto their seven-point lead that they had with only a minute left in the game, as they fell to 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.

Temple won the coin toss and elected to receive, hoping to get off to a quick start in the homecoming game.

After back-to-back handoffs to begin the game, setting Temple up at 3rd and 3 on their own 32, Quarterback Evan Simon found wide receiver Kajiya Hollawayne wide open at the 47, who managed to take it all the way to Navy’s 22-yard line.

Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the drive, as they couldn’t manage to get it into the end zone, and kicker Carl Hardin missed wide right from 39.

This gave the ball to Navy at their own 21, and they took full advantage, marching down to the 50, where quarterback Blake Horvath found tight end Cody Howard for a 50-yard touchdown to put the Midshipmen up early.

Temple answered right back, though, as they put together a long 13-play drive that ended with Simon taking it in himself for the score from two yards out to tie the game.

The Owl’s defense came right back out and put up a strong stand, having Navy’s offense go three and out. Now, there were some self-inflicted wounds on Navy’s part, but a three-and-out is a three-and-out.

The Owls’ offense scored 10 more points in the second quarter, highlighted by a reception by wide receiver Colin Chase to set the Owls up at the one-yard line, letting running back Jay Ducker punch it in.

The lead could have definitely been more had it not been for Simon fumbling in the red zone.

The Owls held a strong 17-7 lead at half, but following the game, Simon mentioned how small things led to the lead not being as big as it could be.

“You look back at the first half, we had two field goal attempts that could have been touchdowns…And that’s the little details that I know, and you guys don’t. But two could have been touchdowns, and we don’t have to kick, and we’re up more at the end of the game.”

Right out of halftime, the Midshipmen had a five-minute drive that resulted in a touchdown from Horvath to bring the game within three.

And so the Owls answered back, with Simon finding wide receiver JoJo Bermudez for a 26-yard touchdown to bring the lead to 10 again.

And then Navy scored to bring it to 3 again.

The remainder of the game was a lot of back and forth.

Coach KC Keeler referred to this game as one of those 50/50 games that they just have to move on from.

“You know, we’re gonna let this one sit for 24 hours. We’re gonna be in a lot of 50/50 games; this was one of those 50/50 games. You know you can look each other in the eye and know we battled to the end.”

In the fourth quarter, Navy tied it at 24-24, and just like past drives, the Owls offense answered back. Every play on the touchdown drive was on the ground, except for when Simon found Hollawayne for a 22-yard reception that put them at the one. This allowed Ducker to get his second touchdown of the game, putting Temple out in front with 1:16 left in the game.

Things were looking great; the defense had Navy on fourth down and no timeouts. All they needed was a stop. But Horvath broke through the d-line and housed it for a 51-yard touchdown. Navy wound up going for two, and just when it seemed like they had them on the ropes, Horvath rolled out to the right, finding running back Alex Tecza in the corner of the end zone to give the Midshipmen the lead.

Temple got the ball back with 39 seconds left, but could not deliver despite Simon going 4/5 on his passing attempts, with the incompletion being the final Hail Mary attempt.

Despite the loss, confidence is still high in the Owls’ locker room.

Nose Tackle Allan Haye said that they just gotta go out and play Temple football next week.

“We got Charlotte next week, gonna go out there and dominate; play Temple football.”

Simon also had a message for the fans.

“I’m disappointed about tonight, but boy, I’d be encouraged, because you know, the tide is turning with this program, and just those little details, we’re going to dial in and don’t lose faith, I swear to you.”

And, Simon is right about the program. From 2021-2024, the program finished with three wins every year, but in 2025, they’ve matched those totals in just six games.

Even with the loss, there are still positive takeaways. Simon threw for a career high of 345 yards, Ducker had his first multi-touchdown game of the season, and Hollawayne also put up a career high 146 receiving yards.

The Owls lose a close one and will look to rebound next week away at the Charlotte 49ers at 3:30 pm.