Temple Football’s Passing Stagnates in Road Loss to East Carolina

Temple Football lost their third game in a row on Saturday, Oct. 31, falling 17-9 to East Carolina in a gritty defensive matchup that saw the Owls unable to find the end zone. Less than two weeks removed from shuffling their defensive staff, Temple (2-6, 1-3 American) got a jolt on that side of the ball, holding the Pirates to just four of 12 third downs converted and a pair of turnovers on downs, but the Owls’ own miscues crushed them.

Quarterback Ajani Sheppard threw three interceptions in the second half, limiting Temple’s ability to dig out of a 17-3 hole. A missed 41-yard field goal from Carl Hardin in the first half could’ve allowed the Owls to take the lead with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Pirates’ defense stonewalled them at the red zone, making a tackle for loss at the 20-yard line on one drive and sacking Sheppard on third down to force a field goal on another. Veteran running back Sam Brown V, meanwhile, got just three carries as he continues to recover from injury.

On the day, Temple ran just two plays in the East Carolina red zone, and a lack of explosive plays — their longest gain went for just 19 yards — limited their ability to land a decisive blow. Their own defense held their end of the bargain, keeping the Pirates off the board for the final 25 minutes of play; senior safety Saboor Karriem intercepted a deep pass at his own 21-yard line with 4:25 to play, giving Temple a chance at a final drive, but Sheppard’s final pick came two plays later and sealed the Owls’ fate.

Temple’s road trip will continue at Navy on Saturday, Nov. 7, when they face the Midshipmen at 3:30 p.m.