Temple’s offense shows up late in 24-21 win against Akron

Written by: Liam Giannelli

Photo by: Zack Silverstein

For the first time in four years, Temple football has started its season 1-0. Thanks to the 353 total yards from the offense, led by quarterback E.J. Warner. The second-year quarterback finished with 292 passing yards completing 28 of his 49 pass attempts with two passing touchdowns that helped Temple defeat Akron 24-21. 

Running back Edward Saydee gave Temple their first lead of the game with a one-yard touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter. Tight end David Martin-Robinson also found the endzone converting Temple’s two-point conversion to give the Owls a 24-21 lead.

Saydee’s two touchdown receptions in Temple’s win were the first touchdown receptions of his collegiate career.

Colorado State transfer Tywan Francis recorded his first career interception with 2:31 remaining in the game, that up sealed the game for the Owls. Francis recorded five tackles, one tackle-for-loss, along with one pass breakup. 

“I will tell you something, [Temple] just found a way to win,” said Temple head coach Stan Drayton. “I am very proud of how our defense played, but the interception by Tywan was huge.”

The game started with the Zips offense scoring on the second of the game. Akron drew up a trick play that had instant success. Akron quarterback DJ Irons connected with running back Lorenzo Lingard for 77-yards to put the Zips up 7-0 early. 

Temple’s offense had no success on their first two drives. Akron’s stiff defense forced two quick three-and-outs for Temple. 

The Owls’ defense settled into a more disciplined approach, in hopes of swinging back the momentum for Temple’s offense in the first quarter. 

Warner struggled through his first four drives of the contest completing just four of his first 11 pass attempts. Warner who ended his freshman season red-hot, had trouble picking up where he left in November. 

Warner started to move the ball down the field for Temple with two minutes left in the first quarter. Warner finished the first quarter completing eight of his final 15 pass attempts for 73 yards, but Temple still trailed Akron 7-0. 

It did not take long into the second quarter for Temple to get onto the scoreboard. After a pass interference penalty that was intended to receiver Amad Anderson Jr., backup quarterback Quincy Patterson powered his way into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown capping off an 89-yard scoring drive to even up the score at seven. 

The Zips offense answered with a touchdown of their own. Irons surveyed the field and found receiver Daniel George for a 50-yard completion, who was tackled at Temple’s 25-yard line by cornerback Ben Osueke. The long completion helped set up a two-yard rushing touchdown by back-up quarterback Tahj Bullock that put the Zips up 14-7 with 7:49 remaining in the first half.

Akron continued to hold the momentum as they forced another punt from Temple, and took advantage of their running game. 

Bullock converted on a fourth-and-one,setting up Irons second passing touchdown of the game to receiver Myles Walker for a 14-yard score  to put Akron up 21-7 with 1:37 remaining in the half.

Dante Wright, who also transfered from Colorado State in the spring, was utilized heavily in his first game in a Temple uniform. Wright saw seven targets and had five catches for 55 yards in the first half. Wright would finish the contest with seven catches for 71 yards.

“[Wright] is going to get the ball in his hands, and you got to find creative ways to put the ball in [Wright’s] hands,” Drayton said. “We will have a better sense of what [Temple] is going to do on gameday, and prepare to find ways to get those guys the ball.”

An 11-play 60-yard offensive drive that ended with a Camden Price 40-yard field goal as time expired cut the Zips lead to 21-10 entering the tunnel for halftime.

In desperate need for points, the Temple offense showed more aggression in the second half, with Warner connecting with receiver Zae Baines down the sideline for a 31-yard completion on Temple’s opening drive of the third quarter.

The catch by Baines led to a 7-yard passing touchdown from Warner to Saydee. Temple was unsuccessful on their two-point conversion and trailed 21-16 with 11:33 remaining in the third quarter. 

The rest of the third quarter would remain scoreless. The Owls’ best scoring opportunity came from a Price 30-yard field goal attempt, but Price missed it wide to the right.

Temple’s defense showed up in a big way in the fourth quater. Defensive end Layton Jordan and a combination of newcomer from Florida linebacker Diwun Black and linebacker Corey Yeoman recorded sacks on Irons.

The struggles to rush the football for Temple’s offense carried over from last season. Six different Owls’ carried the football in the contest against Akron,however Temple accumulated only 61 rushing yards, with Darvon Hubbard leading the way with 35 yards on ten carries.

“[Temple] needs to be excited about what the future holds for us,” Drayton said. “I’m proud of  that we start the season off right, and find ways to get better in every phase of the game.”

Temple will look to build off their second half momentum, when they travel to Rutgers Sept. 9 at SHI Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.