2021 Temple Owls football team

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2021 Temple Owls football
Conference	American Athletic Conference
2021 record	3–9 (1–7 The American)
Head coach	Rod Carey (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Uremovich (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator	Jeff Knowles (3rd season)
Home stadium	Lincoln Financial Field (Capacity: 69,176)
Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
v t	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^		8	–	0					13	–	0
No. 20 Houston y		8	–	0					12	–	2
UCF		5	–	3					9	–	4
East Carolina		5	–	3					7	–	5
Tulsa		5	–	3					7	–	6
SMU		4	–	4					8	–	4
Memphis		3	–	5					6	–	6
Navy		3	–	5					4	–	8
Tulane		1	–	7					2	–	10
South Florida		1	–	7					2	–	10
Temple		1	–	7					3	–	9
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant As of December 31, 2021; Rankings from CFP Rankings

The 2021 Temple Owls football team represented Temple University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Owls were led by third-year head coach Rod Carey and played their home games at Lincoln Financial Field, competing as a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

Previous season[]

The Owls finished the 2020 season 1–6, 1–6 in AAC play to finish in tenth place in the conference.

Preseason[]

American Athletic Conference preseason media poll[]

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.^[1] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
1	Cincinnati	262 (22)
2	UCF	241 (2)
3	SMU	188
4	Houston	181
5	Memphis	168
6	Tulsa	153
7	Tulane	132
т-8	East Carolina	85
т-8	Navy	85
10	Temple	46
11	South Florida	43

Schedule[]

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 4	12:00 p.m.	at Rutgers*	SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ	BTN	L 14–61	52,519
September 11	3:30 p.m.	at Akron*	InfoCision Stadium Akron, OH	ESPN+	W 45–24	14,474
September 18	12:00 p.m.	Boston College*	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPNU	L 3–28	25,290
September 25	12:00 p.m.	Wagner*	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPN+	W 41–7	20,179
October 2	12:00 p.m.	Memphis	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPNU	W 34–31	28,573
October 8	7:00 p.m.	at No. 5 Cincinnati	Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH	ESPN	L 3–52	37,978
October 23	7:00 p.m.	at South Florida	Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL	ESPN+	L 14–34	25,430
October 30	12:00 p.m.	UCF	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPN+	L 7–49	19,595
November 6	3:00 p.m.	at East Carolina	Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC	ESPN+	L 3–45	32,817
November 13	12:00 p.m.	Houston	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPN+	L 8–37	18,440
November 20	4:00 p.m.	at Tulsa	H.A. Chapman Stadium Tulsa, OK	ESPN+	L 10–44	16,731
November 27	12:00 p.m.	Navy	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA	ESPNU	L 14–38	16,708
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 24 released prior to game All times are in Eastern time

Source:^[2]

Game summaries[]

at Rutgers[]

Temple at Rutgers

1 2 3 4 Total Owls 0 7 7 0 14 • Scarlet Knights 12 14 14 21 61 Date: September 4, 2021 Location: SHI Stadium Piscataway, NJ Game start: 12:02 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutes Game attendance: 52,519 Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 4 MPH Referee: Jeff Servinski TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Joe Beninati (play-by-play), Matt McGloin (analyst) and Michelle McMahon (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 11:54 RUT Olakunle Fatukasi safety (3 plays, -1 yards, 1:08) RUT 2–0 08:52 RUT Valentino Ambrosio 25-yard field goal (8 plays, 26 yards, 2:51) RUT 5–0 01:44 RUT Johnny Langan 2-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (1 play, 2 yards, 0:03) RUT 12–0 2 14:15 RUT Johnny Langan 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (6 plays, 28 yards, 2:23) RUT 19–0 10:59 RUT Kyle Monangai 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (4 plays, 22 yards, 1:24) RUT 26–0 09:15 TEM Edward Saydee 11-yard rush (Samir Gardner kick) (7 plays, 65 yards, 1:44) RUT 26–7 3 12:02 TEM D'Wan Mathis 3-yard rush (Samir Gardner kick) (9 plays, 81 yards, 2:52) RUT 26–14 08:05 RUT Bo Melton 40-yard pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (2 plays, 55 yards, 0:33) RUT 33–14 06:57 RUT Max Melton 46-yard interception returned (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (3 plays, 14 yards, 1:08) RUT 40–14 4 14:57 RUT Isaih Pacheco 2-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (12 plays, 64 yards, 5:29) RUT 47–14 11:26 RUT Aaron Young 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (4 plays, 17 yards, 1:29) RUT 54–14 03:09 RUT Kyle Monangai 7-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick) (13 plays, 62 yards, 6:37) RUT 61–14

Over/under
RUT –14.5	52

Statistics	Temple	Rutgers
First downs	12	21
Total yards	261	365
Rushing yards	113	220
Passing yards	148	145
Turnovers	5	0
Time of possession	24:23	35:37

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing	D'Wan Mathais	8/24, 148 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Edward Saydee	12 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jose Barbon	2 receptions, 48 yards
Rutgers	Passing	Noah Vedral	15/27, 138 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Noah Vedral	9 carries, 71 yards
	Receiving	Bo Melton	6 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD

at Akron[]

Temple at Akron

1 2 3 4 Total • Owls 7 17 14 7 45 Zips 14 3 0 7 24 Date: September 11, 2021 Location: InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field Akron, OH Game start: 3:35 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 2 hours and 25 minutes Game attendance: 14,573 Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SSW 15 MPH Referee: Greg Sujak TV announcers (ESPN+): Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 10:19 AKR DJ Irons 9-yard rush (Cory Smigel kick) (12 plays, 77 yards, 4:41) AKR 7–0 02:43 AKR Tony Grimes Jr. 17-yard pass from Kato Nelson (Cory Smigel kick) (10 plays, 80 yards, 4:26) AKR 14–0 02:26 TEM Randle Jones 70-yard pass from Justin Lynch (Rory Bell kick) (1 play, 70 yards, 0:12) AKR 14–7 2 11:46 AKR Cory Smigel 39-yard field goal (11 plays, 53 yards, 5:40) AKR 17–7 05:24 TEM William Kwenkeu 38-yard fumble returned (Rory Bell kick) (7 plays, 15 yards, 3:10) AKR 17–14 05:12 TEM Manny Walker 3-yard interception returned (Rory Bell kick) (1 play, -10 yards, 0:05) TEM 21–17 00:37 TEM Rory Bell 26-yard field goal (10 plays, 59 yards, 2:46) TEM 24–17 3 09:34 TEM Randle Jones 27-yard pass from Justin Lynch (Rory Bell kick) (5 plays, 71 yards, 2:13) TEM 31–17 00:24 TEM Justin Lynch 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick) (11 plays, 77 yards, 5:51) TEM 38–17 4 06:06 TEM Ra'Von Bonner 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick) (11 plays, 67 yards, 5:43) TEM 45–17 02:47 AKR Konata Mumpfield 3-yard pass from DJ Irons (Cory Smigel kick) (7 plays, 75 yards, 3:19) TEM 45–24

Over/under
TEM –6.5	52

Statistics	Temple	Akron
First downs	19	26
Total yards	432	362
Rushing yards	177	171
Passing yards	255	191
Turnovers	0	2
Time of possession	27:51	32:09

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing	Justin Lynch	19/23, 255 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Tayvon Ruley	6 carries, 62 yards
	Receiving	Randle Jones	7 receptions, 170 yards, 2 TDs
Akron	Passing	DJ Irons	12/22, 109 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Jonzell Norrils	15 carries, 66 yards
	Receiving	Michael Mathison	8 receptions, 101 yards

Boston College[]

Boston College at Temple

1 2 3 4 Total • RV Eagles 14 7 0 7 28 Owls 0 0 0 3 3 Date: September 18, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 12:03 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 22 minutes Game attendance: 25,290 Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 9 MPH Referee: Gary Patterson TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play–by–play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 13:21 BC Jaden Williams 19-yard pass from Dennis Grosel (Connor Lytton kick) (3 plays, 29 yards, 1:39) BC 7–0 00:36 BC Pat Garwo III 1-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick) (10 plays, 66 yards, 7:59) BC 14–0 2 00:48 BC Travis Levy 2-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick) (4 plays, 57 yards, 2:22) BC 21–0 4 13:09 TEM Rory Bell 22-yard field goal (11 plays, 47 yards, 5:21) BC 21–3 04:14 BC Dennis Grosel 2-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick) (8 plays, 58 yards, 4:34) BC 28–3

Over/under
BC –15.0	56

Statistics	Boston College	Temple
First downs	13	13
Total yards	221	245
Rushing yards	179	84
Passing yards	59	161
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	28:40	31:20

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Boston College	Passing	Dennis Grosel	7/15, 59 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Pat Garwo III	17 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	CJ Lewis	2 receptions, 21 yards
Temple	Passing	Justin Lynch	17/24, 161 yards
	Rushing	Justin Lynch	21 carries, 27 yards
	Receiving	Jadan Blue	3 receptions, 40 yards

Wagner[]

Wagner at Temple

1 2 3 4 Total Seahawks 7 0 0 0 7 • Owls 0 17 17 7 41 Date: September 25, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 12:05 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 4 minutes Game attendance: 20,179 Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 5 MPH Referee: Nate Black TV announcers (ESPN+): Bill Spaulding (play–by–play) and Barrett Brooks (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 10:24 WAG Guenson Alexis 1-yard rush (Austin Hosier kick) (9 plays, 80 yards, 10:24) WAG 7–0 2 11:57 TEM Kyle Dobbins 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick) (11 plays, 81 yards, 6:06) TIE 7–7 06:43 TEM Rory Bell 47-yard field goal (8 plays, 27 yards, 3:01) TEM 10–7 04:20 TEM Kyle Dobbins 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick) (3 plays, 20 yards, 1:09) TEM 17–7 3 11:48 TEM Rory Bell 31-yard field goal (8 plays, 61 yards, 3:12) TEM 20–7 07:03 TEM Kyle Dobbins 5-yard rush (Rory Bell kick) (7 plays, 77 yards, 2:51) TEM 27–7 05:12 TEM Kadas Reams 44-yard pass from D'Wan Mathis (Rory Bell kick) (3 plays, 50 yards, 0:57) TEM 34–7 4 06:25 TEM Kadas Reams 21-yard pass from D'Wan Mathis (Rory Bell kick) (10 plays, 95 yards, 4:48) TEM 41–7

Pregame line	Over/under
TEM –36.5	55

Statistics	Wagner	Temple
First downs	8	22
Total yards	159	407
Rushing yards	123	115
Passing yards	36	292
Turnovers	1	1
Time of possession	30:54	29:06

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wagner	Passing	Guenson Alexis	4/8, 36 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Rickey Spruill	14 carries, 73 yards
	Receiving	Jeremiah Lorick	3 receptions, 33 yards
Temple	Passing	D'Wan Mathis	22/32, 292 yards, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Kyle Dobbins	13 carries, 61 yards, 3 TDs
	Receiving	Jose Barbon	8 receptions, 130 yards

Memphis[]

Memphis at Temple

1 2 3 4 Total Tigers 3 14 6 8 31 • Owls 0 17 7 10 34 Date: October 2, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers (ESPNU): (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Memphis	Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Memphis	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 5 Cincinnati[]

Temple at Cincinnati

1 2 Total Owls 0 No. 5 Bearcats 0 Date: October 8, 2021 Location: Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH Game start: 7:00 p.m. EDT Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Rocky Boiman (analyst) and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Temple	Cincinnati
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Cincinnati	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at South Florida[]

Temple at South Florida

1 2 Total Owls 0 Bulls 0 Date: October 23, 2021 Location: Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL Game start: TBD EDT Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Temple	South Florida
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
South Florida	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

UCF[]

Central Florida at Temple

1 2 Total Knights 0 Owls 0 Date: October 30, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: TBD EDT Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	UCF	Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCF	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at East Carolina[]

Temple at East Carolina

1 2 Total Owls 0 Pirates 0 Date: November 6, 2021 Location: Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC Game start: TBD EDT Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Temple	East Carolina
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
East Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Houston[]

Houston at Temple

1 2 Total Cougars 0 Owls 0 Date: November 13, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: TBD EST Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Houston	Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Houston	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Tulsa[]

Temple at Tulsa

1 2 3 4 Total Owls 0 0 10 0 10 • Golden Hurricane 10 17 7 10 44 Date: November 20, 2021 Location: Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium Tulsa, OK Game start: TBD EST Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Temple	Tulsa
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tulsa	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Navy[]

Navy at Temple

1 2 3 4 Total • Midshipmen 7 10 7 14 38 Owls 0 7 7 0 14 Date: November 27, 2021 Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: TBD EST Elapsed time:   Game attendance:   Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD Referee:   TV announcers ( ):

Scoring summary 1 2 3 4

Over/under

Statistics	Navy	Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Navy	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Temple	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References[]