In a gripping game on November 16, 2024, at Philadelphia, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) continued its challenging season with a narrow defeat at the hands of Temple University, marking a continuation of their winless run in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
The match saw Temple’s Maddux Trujillo successfully execute four crucial field goals. The most decisive was a 39-yarder in overtime, which clinched an 18-15 victory for Temple. Trujillo’s exceptional performance also included earlier field goals from distances of 54, 50, and 47 yards, demonstrating his consistency and reliability under pressure.
FAU’s first overtime possession was hindered significantly by Tyquan King’s back-to-back sacks, which played a pivotal role in stalling their offensive advance. Despite mounting a late comeback thanks to CJ Campbell, who executed a 1-yard touchdown run with just 34 seconds left on the clock, FAU was unable to seize victory. Campbell’s play was instrumental in narrowing the score to 15-13, followed by a creative two-point conversion that showcased a pitch to Omari Hayes, who then connected with quarterback Tyriq Starks in the end zone to level the game.
Earlier, FAU had taken the lead with Terrez Worthy capping a strategic 87-yard drive with a 1-yard run touchdown, setting the score at 12-7 with 7:15 remaining in the game. However, the perseverance and response by Temple’s Evan Simon, who completed 24 of 41 passes for a total of 218 yards, ensured that FAU couldn’t maintain their advantage.
Campbell was also a standout performer for FAU with a total of 70 rushing yards over 20 carries and an additional touchdown early in the second quarter. Both Kasen Weisman and Tyriq Starks combined for a 19-of-36 passing record, amassing 194 yards over the course of the game. Despite these efforts, FAU’s struggle to secure a conference win continues, reflecting their 0-6 standing in the AAC and overall record of 2-8.
The intense match at Philadelphia highlighted both the strengths and vulnerabilities of FAU as they push to overcome their winless streak within the conference. Despite notable performances, the Owls must address key challenges to turn their season around.
Source: Sun-sentinel
