Temple 60, SMU 40. Game Recap

Showing a huge hangover from their first loss of the season, the Temple Owls survived a game effort from the SMU Mustangs in holding on for a 60-40 win in Dallas.

The final score was not indicative of what turned out to be a very close game that came down to the final minutes of regulation. Temple added two late touchdowns that turned a five point deficit into a 20-point final margin.

Temple quickly jumped out with a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on a 94-yard run by Jager Gardner and a six-yard Robby Anderson touchdown catch. After failing to fight back after early body blows throughout the season, SMU finally responded with a 17-0 run. That run included two touchdown drives that took a combined six plays, and 2:02 of game time.

Needing a response of their own late in the first half, P.J. Walker led the Owls on a 75-yard drive to take a 21-17 lead at the half.

The second half saw both offenses take control with six of the first seven drives ending with a score. The only one that didn't saw the Mustangs lose the ball on a fumble. After the dust settled from a wild start to the second half, Temple looked to be in control with a 45-31 lead.

As if this game could have not have gotten any wilder, SMU came roaring back once again in the craziest way possible. The Mustangs defense got on the board as Temple got caught holding in the end zone for a safety. SMU proceeded to return the free kick for a touchdown to pull withing five at 45-40.

Suddenly, Temple was once again in a dogfight versus a scrappy SMU squad.

Trying to run out the clock on third down, Walker found room around the right edge and extended the Temple lead to 53-40 on a 36-yard touchdown run. The Owls put icing on the win with a 41-yards pick-six by Sean Chandler to give Temple a backdoor cover and the 60-40 win.