Temple Owls Struggle Against Army’s Relentless Ground Game, Falling 42-14 at Home

In what was anticipated to be a difficult test for the Temple Owls, the undefeated Army Black Knights arrived in Philadelphia with a game plan centered around their signature ground game—and they executed it to near perfection. Army’s triple-option attack was relentless, and Temple couldn’t find an answer, ultimately succumbing to a 42-14 defeat on Thursday night.

A One-Sided First Half

Right from the first quarter, Army made their intentions clear. With only a few minutes off the clock, Army running back Noah Short ignited the Black Knights' offense with an explosive 61-yard touchdown run, sending a clear message that the Owls were in for a long night. This early strike set the tone for what became a steady, suffocating performance by Army's offense, which systematically wore down Temple’s defense.

By the second quarter, Army quarterback Bryson Daily made his mark with an 8-yard rushing touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. Army’s offense wasn’t just productive—it was methodical, designed to grind out yards and dominate time of possession. Their patience on offense left Temple with little room to breathe and even less time to respond.

Army’s Ground Assault Breaks Temple

The second half opened in much the same way, with Daily once again finding the end zone, capping off Army's first drive with another rushing touchdown, widening the gap to 21-0. Temple's defense, which has struggled all season to stop the run, looked helpless against Army’s ball control. The Black Knights didn't just gain yards—they demoralized the Owls, pushing them deeper into a deficit they couldn’t overcome.

By the time Kanye Udoh added a 28-yard touchdown run, Army was up 28-0. At that point, it seemed like the game was all but over for Temple. Army’s ground game was too effective, their offensive line too dominant, and their quarterback too versatile. Bryson Daily’s ability to lead the triple-option offense with precision was a key difference, and in my opinion, it’s what separates Army from other teams. Not only does their system force opponents to defend every inch of the field, but the way they manage the clock leaves their opponents scrambling to keep up. It’s a strategy that works, and Temple simply couldn’t match it.

Temple’s Brief Fightback

Despite being down 28-0 late in the third quarter, Temple did show some life. Quarterback Evan Simon finally found a rhythm, connecting with wide receiver Dante Wright for a 29-yard touchdown pass to get the Owls on the board. Wright, who had eight catches for 98 yards, was one of the few bright spots for Temple, consistently finding space against Army’s secondary.

Temple followed up with a long touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, as Simon hit freshman tight end Daniel Evert for a 54-yard score. Evert, playing in his first career start, made a strong impression, showcasing his big-play potential. After a successful two-point conversion, Temple cut Army’s lead to 28-14, and for a brief moment, there was hope for a comeback.

However, Army’s response was swift and brutal. Bryson Daily put the game out of reach with his third rushing touchdown, pushing the lead back to 35-14. A late interception by Army set up one final score—a touchdown pass from quarterback Dewayne Coleman to receiver Cam Schurr—securing the Black Knights' commanding 42-14 win.

Key Performances and Takeaways

From an individual standpoint, Temple linebacker Tyquan King was a defensive standout. Recording 14 tackles, including nine solo, King once again showed his ability to lead the Owls’ defense. This was his second consecutive game with double-digit tackles, and his physicality was evident throughout. But unfortunately for Temple, one player can’t win a game, and despite King’s efforts, the Owls couldn’t contain Army’s offense.

On offense, Dante Wright continues to be a reliable target for Temple, as evidenced by his 98-yard receiving night. His chemistry with Simon is something Temple should build on as they head deeper into the season. Additionally, freshman tight end Daniel Evert is beginning to carve out a role in Temple’s offense, and his big-play ability adds a new dimension to their passing attack.

While Temple’s offense showed flashes of promise, particularly in the second half, my opinion is that their inability to stop the run is becoming a glaring weakness. Army didn’t do anything fancy—they simply executed their game plan with precision. Temple’s defense was slow to adjust and appeared overmatched at the line of scrimmage. If they want to find success this season, fixing their run defense will need to be a top priority.

Moving Forward

Temple’s loss drops them to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in conference play, leaving them in a difficult spot. Their next challenge comes on October 5th when they travel to face the UConn Huskies. UConn has had their own struggles this season, so the Owls should see this as a chance to regroup and get back in the win column.

Army, meanwhile, moves to an impressive 4-0, and it’s clear that they’ve hit their stride. Their system is working to perfection, and they’ve proven that their disciplined, methodical approach can take them far this season.

Final Thoughts

Temple’s late-game fightback deserves credit, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that Army was the better team in almost every aspect of the game. Army’s ability to control the clock, maintain possession, and grind out long drives was the difference. Temple’s offense showed potential in bursts, but they need more consistency if they want to compete against the stronger teams in their conference.

From my perspective, Temple’s struggles against Army reflect deeper issues within their defense—specifically, their inability to handle the run. This game highlights a larger trend, and unless they find a way to tighten up on that front, it could be a long season for the Owls.

Ultimately, Army’s ground game was the story of the night, and their ability to execute their system leaves little room for error from their opponents. Temple learned that the hard way, and now they must regroup and prepare for what lies ahead.