PHILADELPHIA – Temple and the University of South Florida had five lead changes in the game midway through the third quarter.

But after the sixth lead change, the Owls, who have had a bumpy season so far, went on a 17-0 run that would eventually lead them to a 46-30 victory over South Florida.

“It was just a huge moment for us with Army happening and letting Memphis slip out of our hands…” coach Matt Rhule said. “There were just so many guys that made plays out there, that’s what makes it such a huge win to me.”

Defensive lineman Avery Ellis blocked Jon Hernandez’s punt with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter, which set the Owls’ offense up on South Florida’s 20-yard line.

Two plays later, running back Jahad Thomas fought his way through two South Florida defenders into the end zone for his first of two touchdowns of the night.

But, his partner, running back Ryquell Armstead gashed the Bulls’ defense for 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, including a 76-yard touchdown run. 

“There’s a way to win every game. Bill Parcells said that and I believe it,” Rhule said. “So, we get in the game and it just looked like the downfield passing game was going to be there, in terms of some of the throws we made at the end of the half. And then, it looked like the power run game was going to be there, so we stuck with it.”

One of the reasons why the Owls were so successful on the run was because of the passing game quarterback Phillip Walker was able to establish early in the game.

Walker connected with wide receiver of Ventell Bryant for big gains of 31 and 36-yards, which lead the Owls to an Aaron Boumerhi field goal to give them a one possession lead heading into halftime.

Bryant finished with five receptions for 115-yards—his first career 100-yard receiving game.

Walker, continued to build off of his game-winning drive he had against the University of Central Florida by going 14-of-21 for 209-yards and one touchdown.

Entering the game, the Owls had a third down percentage of 33 percent but they converted on 63 percent of them against South Florida.

On the opposite side of the ball, Temple had their hands full, but they contained South Florida’s explosive offense, despite allowing 30 points and a few big plays.

Entering this game, South Florida had a number of NCAA streaks, but after losing to Temple none of the streaks remain alive.

Those streaks—11 straight games with 35 points, 440-yards and 12 straight games of 200 rushing-yards—all are history thanks to Temple.

However, the Bulls did have their moments where their dynamic quarterback, running back combo of Quinton Flowers and Marlon Mack had Temple on their toes.

South Florida’s first two touchdown drives each lasted less than 2:04.

The Owls, though, ate up the clock and tried to keep Flowers and Mack on the sideline. Temple controlled the time of possession, holding the ball for 39:07, while South Florida had it 20:53.

Midway through the third quarter, Flowers took the Bulls down the field in less than 50 seconds.

On the option, Flowers gashed the Owls for 50-yards. Three plays later he did the same thing on a three-yard touchdown run to make it 23-30 South Florida with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.

“[Flowers] was like a video game out there,” Rhule said.

Mack, who was bottled up for most of the night, broke loose for a 30-yard rushing touchdown to bring the game within one possession with 8:42 left in the fourth quarter.

Mack, who was averaging 7.0 yards per carry entering the game, rushed for 67-yards on 13 carries.

While down by one touchdown, the Bulls tried to pull off some late heroics, but Flowers was pulled after being hit on 3rd-and-23 from their one-yard line.

Back up quarterback Brett Kean’s only pass of the night was intercepted by Delvon Randall, which sealed the victory for Temple.

The Owls, who are now 5-3 overall and 3-1 in American Athletic Conference play, lead the East Division.

Temple has a chance to repeat as East Division champs this year and play in the conference championship game.

“The thing that I hope most of the team gets out of this is that now that we’re in the No.1 spot, on our side of the conference, that people are going to keep coming after us,” defensive end Haason Reddick said, who had 1.5 tackles for a loss against South Florida. “That we can’t get relaxed. The biggest thing is to continue to play good football, win every conference game from here on out and that way we can go to the conference championship game.”