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Temple Owls quarterback E.J. Warner returns to the game against Navy, while Navy QB Tai Lavatai is expected to be out due to a calf injury. Navy had sacked Warner four times last season, more than any other team. Temple takes an early lead with a touchdown pass from Warner to TE Jordan Smith. Temple dominates the first quarter with a 17-0 lead. Temple's defense stifles Navy's offense, forcing them to punt multiple times. Temple's offense continues to score, extending their lead to 17-0 in the second quarter. Temple's performance is impressive considering Navy's strong defense, which had been allowing an average of 22.1 points per game. Temple leads 10-0 after the first quarter, outgaining Navy 112-26. Temple attempts a trick play but loses yards due to a fumble. The score remains 17-0 in favor of Temple at halftime.
Undefeated Air Force down 17-0 to Army late in the first quarterโฆ
Again, the is exactly what Temple needed to do today: get a lead, force Navy to throw. Jordan Magee came in unblocked on third down and sacked Arline. The Mids will punt again.
On third-and-2 from 34, Temple tried what looked like the beginnings of a trick play. Warner's pass went to Hubbard, who fumbled. The play lost 7 yards. Dante Atton's punt was downed at the Navy 6. Temple 17, Navy 0, 8:43 left before halftime.
That Navy drive ended with a Tra Thomas sack of Arline on third down. Again, this is the blueprint to beating Navy. Get a lead, force the Mids to do what they don't want to do and throw the ball. Temple's next possession will start at its own 15 with 12:30 left in the 2nd.
Temple is doing this against the third-best defense in the American Athletic Conference. Navy had been allowing 22.1 points per game through seven games, which put them at 42nd in the country in that category.
TEMPLE!!! 17-0 UP ON NAVY!! https://t.co/eBboXMOz8K
After a pass interference flag helped Temple get a first down, Warner found TE David Martin-Robinson down the middle of the field for a 24-yard touchdown pass. Price's PAT is good. Temple 17, Navy 0 with 14:46 left in the second quarter. Bryce Thoman was in at RG on that drive.
Temple has a 10-0 after one quarter. The Owls will face a third-and-3 at the Navy 39 when play resumes. Warner is 10 of 11 passing for 102 yards and a TD, a 22-yard scoring toss to TE Jordan Smith. The Owls outgained the Midshipmen 112-26 in the first quarter.
On fourth-and-2, Stan Drayton elected to send Price out for a 42-yard field goal attempt instead of going for it. Price converted, and Temple has a 10-0 lead at the 3:18 mark of the first quarter.
Temple snuffed out Navy's first series and got the ball back at its 36 after the punt. Warner went 6 of 6 passing for 59 yards and the TD pass to Smith on the first drive.
In not-so-shocking news, Temple really missed E.J. Warner over its last 2 games. He just moved the Owls right down the field and capped the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to TE Jordan Smith. Camden Price's PAT is good and Temple leads 7-0 with 11:23 left in the 1st quarter.
Navy won the toss and deferred. Not such a bad thing for Temple to get the ball first today. The Owls need to get a lead and build it. If Navy gets behind by a couple of scores and has to throw it more, that's what Temple wants.
The tables are turned this week as E.J. Warner is back while Navy QB Tai Lavatai is expected to miss the game with a calf injury. The biggest variable: Navy sacked Warner 4 times last season, nobody else sacked him more than once. Our Temple-Navy preview: https://t.co/4Npcln7z74