Temple rushes for 227 yards, scores two defensive touchdowns in win over Rhode Island
Goforitradio Staff
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The Temple Owls opened the 2026 season by hosting FCS opponent Rhode Island in the programs’ first meeting since 1975.
The Owls rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns and returned two interceptions for touchdowns as Temple (1-0) defeated Rhode Island (1-1), 38-14, at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday.
For the second consecutive year under head coach K.C. Keeler, the Owls won their season opener.
Temple and the Rams traded scores early, and the Owls led 10-7 after the first quarter. Temple pulled away in the second and third quarters. Safety Jamarcus Pierre intercepted Rhode Island quarterback Tyler Budge and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
After Budge scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to cut the lead to 17-14, Temple sophomore running back Keveun Mason answered with a one-yard touchdown before halftime, giving the Owls a 24-14 lead.
Mason, who rushed for 158 yards, scored his second touchdown on a three-yard run in the third quarter, extending Temple’s lead to 31-14.
The Owls put the game away in the fourth quarter when linebacker Tyree Alualu intercepted Budge and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown.
Bottom Line:
As Temple prepares to host No. 18 Penn State, they will probably need more production from quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik, who started the game, and Ajani Sheppard. The two combined to complete 9 of 16 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. The Owls will likely need to throw the ball more against the Nittany Lions.
Defensively, the Owls forced three turnovers on Saturday and held Rhode Island scoreless in the second half. Temple also recorded multiple defensive touchdowns in a game for the first time since 2021. The defense will be tested against the Nittany Lions.
Temple did what it needed to do against Rhode Island. Next week’s matchup with Penn State will provide a better indication of how good the Owls can be in 2026.
