After all, they just won their first conference championship in nine years and are well on their way to a New Year’s Six Bowl game.
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Temple started its next drive at midfield, and junior running back Jahad Thomas, who had 19 carries for 69 yards, converted a fourth-and-one from the Cougars’ 31-yard line after Walker completed a pass to the him in the flat. He was shaken up on the play after being drilled to the turf as he scored. Matakevich, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year and a Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award finalist, is the only FBS player to lead his team in tackles every game, tallying 118 stops and five interceptions.
The Cougars claimed the American Athletic Conference title in the inaugural conference championship game, their first conference title since 2006. Cornerback Brandon Wilson didn’t miss a beat replacing Farrow – rushing for 111 yards and two scores – and could play both ways against Temple.
Following Houston’s 24-13 win over Temple in Saturday’s American Athletic Conference championship game, Cougars fans did what many fans, especially of the college-student variety, do in such situations: storm the field.
Temple’s defense held on the ensuing series, and the offense marched into Houston territory but finally stalled when Walker threw an incomplete pass behind Adonis Jennings on fourth and 3 from the Cougars’ 38.
Kansas State 24, West Virginia 23: Wide receiver Cody Cook led Kansas State to a pair of touchdowns as the emergency quarterback, Morgan Burns returned a kickoff 97 yards for the go-ahead score and the Wildcats (6-6, 3-5 Big 12) became bowl-eligible by defeating the Mountaineers (7-5, 4-6) at Manhattan, Kansas. Temple’s second turnover was while they were in Houston’s redzone.
The Cougars then extended their lead to 17-0 following another Temple punt.
Later in the half, Ward made it 17-0 with his ninth run of 30 or more yards this season.
Temple put points on the board with less than two minutes to go in the half on a 40-yard field goal by PK Austin Jones. It was the ninth fumble recovery of his career which set a school record.
Anderson caught a 16-yard touchdown pass to make it a 14-point game again, and early in the fourth quarter, Jones kicked 39-yard field, but Temple didn’t get any closer.
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Anderson led Temple with 12 catches for 150 yards and their only touchdown. “He’s still got some polishing to do in terms of his quarterback play”.
