Defense, Gardner, Blue star in Temple's 17-7 victory
Posted November 08, 2019 6:00 am
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Sam Franklin scooped up a fumble and returned it 39 yards for Temple's second touchdown and the Owls went on to a 17-7 victory over South Florida on Thursday night.
Christian Braswell punched the ball out of the grasp of receiver Terrence Horne and Franklin grabbed it and raced down the left sideline for a 14-0 lead in the third quarter.
Jager Gardner rushed for a career-high 133 yards on 25 carries, including a 57-yarder, while Jadan Blue caught 11 passes for 121 yards for the Owls. Quincy Roche led the defense with 3ˆ½ of the Owls' nine sacks.
Kenny Yeboah took a 1-yard pass from Todd Centeio with 1ˆ½ minutes left in the first half to complete a nine-play, 80-yard drive for the Owls (6-3, 3-2), who snapped a tie for third place with USF (4-5, 2-3) in the American Athletic Conference's East Division.
Jordan McCloud threw a 14-yard TD pass to Bryce Miller late in the third quarter for the Bulls' lone score before Owls kicker Will Mobley booted a career-tying 44-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
South Florida defensive back Bentlee Sanders (20) is stopped by Temple wide receiver Jeremy Jennings (22) on a kickoff during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) is sacked by Temple defensive end Arnold Ebiketie (47) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Temple running back Jager Gardner, center, runs for a first down against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida defensive back Bentlee Sanders, left, outruns Temple wide receiver Jose Barbon (80) after an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida defensive back Bentlee Sanders celebrates after intercepting a pass by Temple quarterback Anthony Russo during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida wide receiver Randall St. Felix (5) gets hit by Temple safety Amir Tyler (25) as he reaches for a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. Tyler was called for pass interference on the play. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) is tripped by Temple cornerback Harrison Hand (23) on a run during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida wide receiver Jernard Phillips cannot hang onto a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Temple, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Temple defensive end DeAndre Kelly (42) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Temple tight end Kenny Yeboah (84) celebrates with offensive lineman Isaac Moore (63) after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Temple defensive end Dana Levine (17) celebrates after sacking South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) fumbles the football when he is sandwiched between Temple linebacker Chapelle Russell (3) and defensive tackle Khris Banks (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. Temple recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Temple running back Jager Gardner (21) picks up yardage against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida running back Jordan Cronkrite (2) runs past Temple linebacker Sam Franklin (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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South Florida quarterback Jordan McCloud (12) eludes a sack by Temple defensive end Quincy Roche during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Temple quarterback Anthony Russo throws a pass against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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