PHILADELPHIA –The Temple Owls hosted the Buffalo Bulls for a nonconference match-up on Saturday. After losing to Villanova last weekend, the Owls came into the game hungry for a win but were unable to outlast the Bulls. With less than a minute on the clock, Buffalo’s quarterback Tyree Jackson took his team 81-yards down the field. Wide receiver Anthony Johnson scored the deciding touchdown off a 29-yard pass from Jackson to defeat the Owls 36-29.
Although the numbers may indicate constant action, the first quarter began rather slow. The Bulls were the first to find the end zone with 1:51 remaining on the clock in the opening quarter. The touchdown came off a 33-yard pass completion from Jackson to wide receiver Charlie Jones. After a missed kick, the score was 6-0.
Buffalo continued its momentum and scored four minutes into the second quarter off a 22-yard run by running back, Kevin Marks, making the score 12-0. Jackson attempted a two-point conversion, but he was picked off by Owl’s cornerback, Rock Ya-Sin, who ran it all the way back. Ya-Sin’s touchdown was ultimately overturned due to a penalty against the Owls.
Buffalo got the ball back deep in Temple’s territory. Jackson launched a pass that was intercepted again by Ya-Sin in the end zone on a near Buffalo touchdown. The Owls got the ball back with 1:45 left in the half and quarterback Frank Nutile used every second to take the Owls 80-yards down the field on eight plays. The drive was capped off by a 39-yard Hail Mary to Branden Mack for a touchdown. The Owls suddenly had momentum heading into the half only trailing 12-7.
The second half was full of action, and it started with the Owls.
Temple head coach Geoff Collins opening post game press conference remarks:
Temple WR Branden Mack addresses the Owl's use of three QB's:
The Owls marched down the field for a quick touchdown to take the lead 14-12. The Owl’s touchdown came off a 44-yard pass from Nutile to wide receiver Randle Jones. This completion marked Jones’ first career touchdown as an Owl.
A few drives later, Buffalo got the ball off of an interception by Cameron Lewis. The interception set up another touchdown by Marks to put the Bulls up 19-14.
The Owls got the ball back but had to punt it away after a disappointing drive. The Bulls turned that into another scoring drive, this time coming in the form of a 46-yard field goal by kicker, Adam Mitcheson. The third quarter ended with the Bulls leading the Owls 22-14.
The fourth quarter began with a three-and-out by both teams. On Buffalo’s second fourth quarter possession, Jackson was intercepted for the third time by Ya-Sin on an intended third-and-10 pass to George Rushing. However, the ruling of the interception was overturned again as the ball hit the ground. Nevertheless, Temple got the ball back since it was fourth down. Buffalo’s punt was then blocked by Mack and Ty Mason recovered it for an Owl’s touchdown, making the score 22-20. With just under 12 minutes to go, coach Collins elected to go for two. Wide receiver Ventell Bryant got the pitch on an end around reverse pass, which he ultimately threw to Kenny Yeboah for the conversion. This tied the score at 22.
The next few drives decided the game. Buffalo responded by scoring a 5-yard touchdown on a pass to Antonio Nunn. This made the score 29-22 Buffalo with 7:43 remaining.
Temple took over on offense looking to tie up the game. The Owls did just that as Nutile took the Owls 75-yards down the field in just 3:39 and scored a touchdown off a pass to Mack, tying it at 29.
With 4:48 left, the Buffalo Bulls offense got back on the field. At one point, the Bulls faced a crucial third and 10. They were on their own 36-yard line, when Jackson threw a pass to Antonio Nunn. However, the pass was broken up. This would have created a fourth down, but a roughing the passer penalty was called on Owls defensive tackle Karamo Dioubate. The Bulls took advantage of the penalty and marched the rest of the way down the field, resulting in Anthony Johnson catching a 29-yard pass to give Buffalo the lead, 36-29.
Nutile took the field for the Owls with 55-seconds left. He completed a few passes but was ultimately strip-sacked with 30-seconds left by Chuck Harris to end the game. The Bulls left South Philadelphia with a 36-29 victory to improve 2-0 on the season, while the Owls drop to 0-2.
After the game, coach Collins addressed the media about the Owl’s performance.
“Little things hurt us, but that’s a good football team [Buffalo], give them credit. And that team that’s in there [points to Temple’s locker room], is going to be a really good football team. We just have to keep working and staying together,” said Collins.
Nutile also lauded Buffalo after the game.
“Buffalo is obviously a good team, they have a lot of good players but it hurts a lot when you take a loss like that,” said Nutile. “We played extremely hard and everyone played until the last whistle, defense, special teams and offense, so it hurts.”
After the Owls fall to 0-2, they look to prepare for next week’s game against Maryland. Maryland is currently 2-0 after beating Bowling Green, 45-14, on Saturday. They also started off their season with a huge win over the then nationally ranked (No. 23), Texas Longhorns.
Collins also had a high level of praise for his star cornerback, Rock Ya-Sin.
After the game, Anthony Russo addressed the media:
Rock Ya-Sin addresses changes to be made on defense:
Buffalo Bulls
Running back, Kevin Marks ended the game with 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback, Tyree Jackson ended the game, 26 for 45, 275 yards, three TD’s and one interception.
Temple Owls
Running back, Ryquell Armstead had 107-yards rushing.
Quarterback, Frank Nutile was 15 for 31, had 216 yards, three TD’s and one interception.