Jake Elliott snuck a 31-yard field goal just inside the left upright as time expired to allow Memphis to escape with a 16-13 victory over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls (5-4, 3-3) held the American Athletic Conference’s top scoring and third ranked total offense in check all night until a 12 play, 66-yard drive did them in.
Memphis (6-3, 4-1) took their first lead of the game late in the third quarter on a 27-yard kick by Elliott that was set up a muffed punt by the Owls. Temple tied it with just under three minutes to go but their defense was unable to get the ball back for the offense or force overtime.
The Owls built a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on big plays. P.J. Walker ran 33 yards on Temple’s first play scrimmage, it set up a 43-yard field goal by Austin Jones. A long drive by the Tigers resulted in a missed field goal. Then, after the teams traded three-and-outs, Kenneth Harper raced 75 yards to extend the Owls lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Owls seemed poised to pad their lead. They had a second-and-three at the Memphis 14-yard line but were flagged for holding and on the next play Walker was intercepted by Andrew Gaines at the 11.
Temple’ next opportuity with the ball ended with a three-and-out but disaster struck when Alex Starzyk’s punt was blocked and the Tigers were in business at the Owls’ 31. It led to 42-yard field goal by Elliott. A short punt by Starzyk gave Memphis the ball at their own 41, three plays later, the score was tied when Brandon Hayes caught a 17-yard pass from Paxton Lynch for a touchdown.