Temple Owls vs. Houston Cougars

After the Owls’ defense forced its third three-and-out from the Cougars’ offense in the second half of Saturday’s game, Temple’s offense got the ball back with just more than five minutes remaining.

The AAC title game will take place on the campus of the University of Houston, where the Cougars will host the upstart Temple Owls. We continue our coverage with the earliest game played on Saturday (Noon EST); the AAC Championship, featuring Houston and Temple.

Two players who will garner a lot of attention: Houston’s Greg Ward Jr. and Temple’s Jahad Thomas. It’s a huge step forward for this program, which continues to make waves under first-year coach Tom Herman. “You also have to rush him, otherwise he will sit there and pick you apart”. Herman, in front of his players, ended the rumor that he was going to be the new coach at SC, and recently agreed in principle on a contract that would keep him at Houston. They won 10 games for only the second time ever, joining the 1979 Garden State Bowl team, and it appears that they might actually be able to hold onto coach Matt Rhule for at least another season.

One day after signing a five-year contract extension to stay at Houston, the Cougs look to have staying power and could form a dynasty of sorts in the American Athletic Conference that should be strong again next year with Memphis, Temple, Navy and South Florida all worthy opponents. The second touchdown put the Cougars up 17-0 in the second quarter, and it was a lovely, glorious run of 47 yards.

Temple, which averaged 158.3 yards per game on the ground entering the contest, had just 98 total rushing yards Saturday.

At the end of No. 18 Houston’s 24-13 victory against the No. 21 Owls, Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) Event staffers appeared to aggressively punch and tackle fans.

Temple (10-3) will learn its bowl assignment on Sunday, with the Boca Raton Bowl, Dec. 22, a potential destination. P.J. Walker threw an interception on Temple’s first drive, leading to a Houston touchdown, and Robby Anderson lost a fumble on the next drive at the Houston 25-yard line, wasting a 63-yard drive. The wide receiver is the go-to target of the unit as he has 89 catches for 1140 yards on the year for six touchdowns.

Houston is out of the playoff running, but they can get themselves a favorable bowl game with a win.

Temple: LB Tyler Matakevich.

It took the Cougars 10 plays to drive the short distance.

The Owls started the game with a 17-yard drive before Walker’s pass was intercepted by Houston’s Tyus Bowser.