Keveun Mason ran for 158 yards and Temple did not need much else
A comfortable Temple win. The film says it was less about fireworks than you'd think.
There was no drama to speak of. Temple dismantles Rhode Island, 38-14 at Lincoln Financial Field. Rhode Island drew level at 7-7 before Temple pulled away for good. Keveun Mason ran 20 times for 158 yards and two scores and caught two passes for 34 yards.
The turnover battle was the game
Temple won the turnover battle 1-3, led by Jamarcus Pierre (1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 tackles), Tyree Alualu (1 INT, 1 PBU, 1.5 tackles) and Jordan Montgomery (1 forced fumble, 1 tackle). Rhode Island converted 6 of 14 third downs (43%) to Temple's 25%, led by Tyler Budge (5/12). Stacked together, that is what turned a close game into this one.
How the two sides actually played on the night.
The difference-makers
Keveun Mason ran 20 times for 158 yards and two scores and caught two passes for 34 yards — two of them from inside the 20, two third-down conversions and a hand in four plays of 15 yards or more. Colin Chase caught three passes for 43 yards. Jaxon Smolik threw for 57 yards on six attempts with one touchdown, with that score from inside the 20. For Rhode Island, Tyler Budge threw for 195 yards on 31 attempts with one touchdown and ran nine times for 38 yards and one score, with that score from inside the 20, five third-down conversions and a hand in six plays of 15 yards or more. Marquis Buchanan caught 10 passes for 137 yards, one of them for a touchdown, including a hand in three plays of 15 yards or more. Brendon Barrow ran 11 times for 39 yards and caught one pass for 5 yards. Jamarcus Pierre was the disruptive one for Temple: 1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 tackles.
What Rhode Island has to fix
The problems had names: Tyler Budge (2 interceptions) and Brendon Barrow (1 lost fumble).
The disruptive ones
Two names to keep: Case Mankins (2 sacks, 2 TFLs, 3 tackles) for Rhode Island and Jamarcus Pierre (1 INT, 1 PBU, 2 tackles) for Temple.
How we got here
Temple struck first through Jaxon Smolik, led 24-14 at the half and Temple got the final points on a late touchdown by Tyler Budge.
How it graded
The closing line had Temple -14.5. Temple covered. The total was 51.5; the teams combined for 52, an over. Keveun Mason accounted for 12 of Temple's points.
Where it leaves them
Historically similar games since 2019 — close margin, both offenses held far below norm — and how often that offense outperformed this level the following week.
Temple cleared the bar with room to spare; Rhode Island goes back to the drawing board. Tyler Budge was responsible for 12 of Rhode Island's points; there was not enough behind him.
Discussion
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