Temple quarterback P.J. Walker. Photo by: Zach Bauders/contrastphotography.com

The Temple Owls were unable to build on their season opening upset win over Vanderbilt and fell to Navy 31-24 at Lincoln Financial Field as the Midshipmen’s powerful rushing attack amassed 487 yards and four touchdowns.

It started off well enough for the Owls, Sharif Finch forced a fumble and recovered it for a touchdown less than two minutes into the game. It’s the second week in a row the Owls defense scored.

Navy, led by quarterback Keenan Reynolds, scored on their next three possessions to build a 17-7 lead. Temple scored just before halftime, when P.J. Walker hit Romond Deloatch for a six-yard touchdown.

In the third quarter, Navy would add two more touchdowns to go up 31-14 but the Owls would fight back and by the mid-point of the fourth quarter they trailed by just seven thanks to a 28-yard field goal by Austin Jones and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Walker to Jalen Fitzpatrick. The Owls would run out of time trying for the tie.

Reynolds had 173 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns; Walker had 71 yards on the ground and was 29-of-49 passing for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

“We put our defense in bad spots with turnovers, but they battled all game,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

Keenan Reynolds. Photos by Zach Bauders/conrastphotography.