Temple Owls vs Navy Midshipmen Match Player Stats On Dec 03, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 3, 2016

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Temple's Phillip Walker threw a pair of touchdown passes and the Owls contained No. 19 Navy's high-powered triple option for a 34-10 victory in the American Athletic Conference championship game Saturday.

Temple (10-3) won a league title for the first time since 1967. The loss by the Midshipmen (9-3) ensures that undefeated Western Michigan will earn the coveted spot in the Cotton Bowl as the Group of 5 champion.

Temple also snapped the Midshipmen's 15-game home winning streak at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which was tied with Houston for the longest home mark in the nation.

Navy quarterback Will Worth injured his ankle early in the second quarter and later appeared on the sidelines with crutches and an air cast on his left foot. Prior to being injured, Worth set the school record with 2,595 yards of total offense this season.

Both of Walker's touchdown passes came in the first half, including a 56-yard strike to Keith Kirkwood that gave the Owls a 21-0 early in the second quarter. Walker was 15 of 25 for 199 yards.

The Midshipmen also lost three slotbacks, Darryl Bonner (head), Dishan Romine (leg) and Toneo Gulley (ankle), to injuries.

Navy sophomore backup quarterback Zach Abey was forced into his first action and completed 7 of 13 passes for 104 yards with two interceptions. Abey had a 47-yard run late in the third quarter to give the Mids a spark. He then scored from 1 yard to cut the margin to 24-10 with 2:18 left in the third quarter.

The Mids' defense was more effective in the second half before wearing down. A 30-yard touchdown run by Ryquell Armstead provided the 34-10 margin with 3:04 left in the game.

Navy entered the game ranked second nationally in rushing offense with 342 yards per game. However, the Owls held the Mids to just 168 yards on the ground.

Jahad Thomas also had a 15-yard touchdown run for Temple in the game's opening drive.

NOTES:. Navy had two turnovers in the first half, which equalled their total over the past in five games. ... Temple advanced to the conference championship for the second consecutive season. The Owls lost to Houston 24-13 in last year's title game. ... Owls LB Avery Williams was ejected for targeting in the second quarter. ... Navy takes on archrival Army next week and will then play in the Armed Forces Bowl.