TAMPA, Fla. — Temple waited until the final minutes to deliver its biggest punch of the season.
The Owls rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit Saturday night, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 34-yard run by Ajani Sheppard with 3:08 remaining before their defense slammed the door on previously undefeated South Florida in a thrilling 17-13 victory at Raymond James Stadium.
The win ended USF’s perfect start and gave Temple one of its most significant road victories in years.
Temple improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in American Conference play, while the Bulls dropped to 4-1 and 1-1.
With the Owls trailing 13-10, Temple took possession at its own 4-yard line with 8:32 remaining. What followed was a 96-yard, 10-play drive that consumed 5:24 and completely changed the game.
Temple kept the drive alive with a pass-interference penalty and a crucial third-down completion to Jayce Freeman. Then, facing third-and-seven, Sheppard found a crease and exploded down the field for the 34-yard touchdown that put the Owls ahead for good.
It was the kind of play Temple needed from Sheppard, who finished with 87 rushing yards.
USF had one more opportunity.
The Bulls drove into position to try to reclaim the lead, but Temple’s defense held firm, forcing an incompletion on fourth-and-eight to turn the ball over on downs.
USF got the football back with 51 seconds remaining, but Temple refused to give the Bulls another chance.
Asa Locks recovered a fumble on the final play of the game, sending the Owls into celebration and handing USF its first defeat of the season.
Temple’s Defense Sets the Tone
The upset was built on more than one late touchdown.
Temple’s defense controlled the first half, limiting the Bulls to just 108 total yards and three points.
USF opened the scoring with a field goal, but Temple answered early in the second quarter when Carl Hardin connected on a 34-yard field goal to tie the game.
The Owls then grabbed control before halftime.
With 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Sheppard connected with JoJo Bermudez for a 24-yard touchdown, sending Temple into halftime with a 10-3 advantage.
USF came out of halftime with renewed energy.
The Bulls engineered a 14-play, 75-yard drive on their opening possession of the third quarter, eventually tying the game when D.J. Crowther scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Temple appeared ready to answer.
The Owls put together a promising drive featuring a 29-yard completion to Freeman and a 34-yard run by Hunter Smith. But the drive ended in heartbreak when Sheppard fumbled near the goal line and USF recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
That mistake gave the Bulls new life.
Nico Gramatica then drilled a 49-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, putting USF ahead 13-10.
Temple’s offense, however, had the final answer.
Owls Keep Running
Temple’s rushing attack once again provided the foundation for the offense.
The Owls finished with 182 rushing yards and have now produced at least 176 yards on the ground in every game this season. It marks the first time Temple has opened a season with five consecutive games of at least 176 rushing yards since 2011.
Sheppard led the way with 87 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Curly Ordonez also delivered a standout defensive performance, recording a team-high 10 tackles in his home state.
The Owls and Bulls each finished with four tackles for loss, but Temple made the most important defensive plays when the game was on the line.
A Historic Road Victory
The victory marked Temple’s first road win over an opponent that entered the game with at least four victories and no losses since the Owls defeated No. 14 Virginia Tech 28-24 on Oct. 17, 1998.
Temple had previously defeated an opponent with at least four wins and no losses in 2019, when the Owls knocked off No. 23 Memphis 30-28 at Lincoln Financial Field.
This one, however, came against a USF team that entered Raymond James Stadium at 4-0 and appeared poised for another strong season.
Instead, Temple walked away with one of the most memorable wins of its season.
The Owls didn’t dominate the game from start to finish. They simply made the plays that mattered most when the opportunity arrived.
A 96-yard touchdown drive.
A 34-yard burst from Sheppard.
A fourth-down defensive stop.
And, finally, a fumble recovery to end it.
Temple’s season suddenly has a different feel.
The Owls left Tampa with a road upset, a conference victory and renewed momentum heading into the remainder of American Conference play.
