Temple Owls News

Jayce Freeman - Scores twice in loss Freeman accrued four receptions (on five targets) for 62 yards and two touchdowns during Saturday's 42-35 defeat against Navy.

Impact Freeman has served as a starting wideout throughout the season, so it was only a matter of time before he delivered a breakout performance. The wide receiver set a season high with 62 receiving yards to lead the team. He found the end zone twice in the fourth quarter, hauling in a six-yard score and adding a 25-yard touchdown. The multi-score effort represented his first trip to the end zone since Week 1 against Rhode Island.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

JoJo Bermudez - Hauls in TD against Navy Bermudez tallied two receptions (on three targets) for 55 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 42-35 defeat against Navy.

Impact Bermudez reeled in a 41-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter for his second receiving score of the season. The wideout has displayed consistent involvement in Temple's passing attack, logging multiple receptions in five consecutive contests after a quiet start to the campaign. He reconnected with Jaxon Smolik, who started under center after previously catching passes from Ajani Sheppard before Sheppard was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jaxon Smolik - Tosses three touchdowns in loss Smolik was 12-for-26 passing for 173 yards, three touchdowns and one interception during Saturday's 42-35 defeat versus Navy. He also had eight rushes for negative one yard.

Impact Smolik started under center and finished a game for the first time since Temple's season opener against Rhode Island. The opportunity was presented to the quarterback because Ajani Sheppard was only available in an emergency role after being deemed questionable ahead of Saturday's contest due to an undisclosed injury. Smolik provided an offensive spark against the Midshipmen's defense, helping score 28 points in the second half, though his efforts ultimately fell short of completing the comeback. He established new season highs across all major passing categories -- completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. His strong performance is likely sufficient for him to vie for expanded reps under center if Sheppard returns for Week 11 against UAB, keeping the Owls' quarterback situation unresolved late in the season.

21 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ajani Sheppard - Only available in emergency Sheppard (undisclosed) was only available in an emergency setting for Saturday's game against the Navy, according to Mike Livingston of The Temple News.

Impact Temple did not require using Sheppard against the Navy, and he will be given additional rest before next Saturday's against UAB. The quarterback's 2026 season features 85 completions for 1,245 yards and eight touchdowns. Sheppard also has 81 rushing attempts for 400 yards and five TDs.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Smith - Sits out Week 10 Smith (undisclosed) did not play during Saturday's game at Navy.

Impact Smith has failed to register any carries in back-to-back games. The running back's next opportunity to play is on Nov. 14 against UAB. Smith's 2026 season features 31 rushing attempts for 119 yards.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sam Brown - Seven carries, one touchdown Brown (undisclosed) totaled seven carries for 22 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 42-35 defeat to Navy.

Impact Compared to the previous week, Brown logged more carries Saturday. And though the running back barely averaged more than three yards per carry, he did score his fifth touchdown across four games this year. Brown having more TDs than games suggests how good an option he can be, though his limited rushing attempts do negatively affect his overall upside.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Gutierrez runs for 5 TDs, Navy blows 28-point lead before recovering to edge Temple 42-35

Jackson Gutierrez rushed for a career-high five touchdowns including the game-winner with 1:14 remaining after Navy blew a 28-point lead to pull out a 42-35 victory over Temple on...

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Ajani Sheppard - Splits starter reps in warmups Sheppard (undisclosed) is splitting first-team reps in warmups ahead of Saturday's contest against Navy, per 247Sports.com.

Impact Sheppard was deemed a game-time decision ahead of kickoff, though with him being seen splitting first-team reps in warmups, he should be available for Saturday's game. He is splitting the reps with Jaxon Smolik, as the two have been fighting for the starting quarterback role throughout the year. It's unclear who will get the starting nod, though the team could have the two split reps like they did to begin the season. Sheppard has started the majority of games for the Owls this season, but last week he threw three interceptions, opening the door for Smolik to start.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Jaxon Smolik - Rotating reps in warmups Saturday Smolik was observed rotating first-team snaps during warmups ahead of Saturday's game against Navy, 247Sports.com reports.

Impact It is unclear who will be getting the nod under center as both Smolik and Ajani Sheppard were seen swapping first-team reps as they prepare for the game. The Penn State transfer has completed 16 of 27 passes for 129 yards with one touchdown and one interception across four appearances. More news regarding his status for his game should surface closer to kickoff.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Peter Clarke - Out for remainder of 2026 season Clarke (leg) is out for the remainder of the 2026 season, per the American Conference injury report.

Impact Clarke suffered a broken fibula and was widely expected to be out for the season, and now, the American Conference injury report makes it official. The tight end had 18 grabs for 273 yards and two scores, but now, Temple figures to look towards Ryder Kush as the Owls' starting tight end.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Smith - Availability in question for Saturday Smith (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup versus Navy, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Smith's status is uncertain leading up to Saturday's kickoff. The running back will aim to recover prior to the game, but if he is unable to suit up, Temple will be down a backfield option.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ajani Sheppard - Question mark to play Saturday Sheppard (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Saturday's clash with Navy, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Sheppard's questionable status indicates that he will likely be a game-time decision for Temple. The quarterback has performed efficiently in his first season with the program, throwing for 1,245 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions across seven starts. If Sheppard can't suit up, Jaxon Smolik is positioned to start under center for the Owls.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sam Brown - Status up in air for Saturday Brown has been deemed questionable for Saturday's game versus Navy, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Brown returned from a three-game absence and tallied 25 total yards last week against East Carolina. The tailback's status is up in the air once again in Week 10, however. Brown hasn't been a consistent part of the Temple ground game since Week 4, but his ability to stress defenses as a receiver out of the backfield makes him a big asset for the Owls.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Keveun Mason - Puts up 51 rushing yards in loss Mason recorded eight rushes for 51 yards during Saturday's 17-9 loss against East Carolina.

Impact Even with Sam Brown returning from injury, Mason was still utilized out of the backfield more than his counterpart. He recorded eight carries, which was the most for a running back, as quarterback Ajani Sheppard attempted a team-high 15 carries. His production was highlighted by an 18-yard rush that stood as the team's longest rushing play of the game. It is unclear if Mason's usage in the backfield will decrease moving forward with Brown healthy once again.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Brown V - Limited touches in return Brown logged three carries for one yard and gathered in all three targets for 24 yards during Saturday's 17-9 loss versus East Carolina.

Impact Brown's availability served as a positive sign for Temple's backfield moving forward, and he was the first running back to take the field for the team. In his return, he was heavily limited while attempting a season-low three rushing attempts for one yard. He did not record a rushing attempt for the entire second half, as it appears the coaching staff made a decision to ease him back into action after a three-game absence. It remains to be seen if he will handle a heavier workload against Navy on Saturday.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ajani Sheppard - Struggles on the road Sheppard was 11-for-20 passing for 118 yards and three interceptions during Saturday's 17-9 loss against East Carolina. He also had 15 rushes for 69 yards.

Impact Sheppard was clean of interceptions heading into Saturday's contest, though that changed quickly when he faced the Pirates' secondary and threw a trio of picks. Aside from his struggles through the air, he found modest production on the ground by posting 69 rushing yards to lead the team. Even with his turnovers, he remained in the game for every snap, providing a reassuring sign that the coaching staff still trusts him, even with Jaxon Smolik waiting for another opportunity to take over under center. It was not an ideal start for Sheppard, especially considering he failed to contribute a score for the first time since Week 1, when he served as the backup quarterback. He will aim to bounce back against Navy in Week 10.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Clarke - Suffers broken fibula Clarke broke his fibula Saturday, Temple head coach K.C. Keeler announced Monday, according to OwlSportsUpdate.

Impact This clarifies the leg injury Clarke suffered over the weekend and supports the expectation that his 2026 season is likely over. Temple will likely need to turn elsewhere at tight end down the stretch. Clarke had 18 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns this fall.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Clarke - Probably done for 2026 Temple's head coach K.C. Keeler said postgame that Clarke (leg) is probably done for the 2026 season, Shawn Pastor of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Unfortunately for Clarke, Week 9 saw him suffer a leg injury so bad that he was carted off East Carolina's football field with his right leg in a cast. "He's probably going to be done for the year," Keeler said on the tight end. "He (Clarke) went down and he could tell immediately there was a problem." It looks like Clarke's 2026 season is finished before he can even log a November game.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

JoJo Bermudez - Logs another three receptions Bermudez (undisclosed) logged three receptions for 48 yards during Saturday's 17-9 loss to East Carolina.

Impact Bermudez has been incredibly consistent across 2026, with the wide receiver's campaign including either two or three receptions in each of his seven games. The wideout's senior season features 14 catches for 195 yards (13.9 averaged per catch) and two touchdowns.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Peter Clarke - Carted off Saturday Clarke was carted off with an apparent leg injury during Saturday's game against East Carolina, per Stephen Igoe of 247Sports.com.

Impact Clarke had recorded one reception for four yards prior to exiting the contest. It remains to be seen if he will return, but considering he was carted off, there is a slim chance he returns to Saturday's game. His status will be monitored along with the severity of the injury moving forward.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Brown V - Active versus ECU Brown (ankle) is in at running back for Temple during Saturday's contest against East Carolina, per Mike Livingston of Owls Scoop.

Impact Brown was the first running back to take the field for Temple during the team's first offensive possession, indicating that he has recovered from an ankle injury that forced him to miss three consecutive games. Brown's return will reduce Keveun Mason's recent usage, and Brown should see heavy involvement since he rushed for double-digit carries in both of his two appearances this season.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

JoJo Bermudez - Listed as starting wideout Bermudez (undisclosed) is listed as a starting receiver for Temple ahead of Saturday's contest against East Carolina, per Mike Livingston of Owls Scoop.

Impact Bermudez missed Week 7 against Charlotte but seems positioned to return to action, with the team announcing him as a starter. The wideout, before getting hurt, had recorded 14 receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in six games. His possible return will be a huge addition to Temple's receiving corps.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Zander Baptiste - Unavailable Saturday Baptiste (undisclosed) will not play in Saturday's game versus East Carolina, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Baptiste will miss his second-straight game as the Owls face off against the Pirates in Week 9. The 6-foot-4 sophomore wideout has appeared in five games this season but has yet to record a touch. Baptiste's next chance to return will come in Week 10 against Navy.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

JoJo Bermudez - Status questionable for Week 9 Bermudez (undisclosed) holds a questionable designation for Saturday's matchup versus East Carolina, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Bermudez is questionable for Saturday's contest just two hours before kickoff, indicating his status will be decided during pregame warmups. He missed Week 7 with an undisclosed injury after scoring a touchdown in his previous two outings.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Brown V - Listed as questionable for Saturday Brown (ankle) has been deemed questionable for Saturday's matchup versus East Carolina, per the American Athletic availability report.

Impact Brown hasn't appeared in a game since Week 4 versus Army, but it appears he has a chance to rejoin the action against ECU. It will be worth monitoring the starting back's status as warmups approach, which will hopefully provide more clarity on his status for the contest.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

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Gutierrez runs for 5 TDs, Navy blows 28-point lead before recovering to edge Temple 42-35