East Carolina all-purpose QB/WR Mike Wright,Jr. scores on a zone read 18-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter of Saturday's action.
East Carolina -coming off a 14-point victory over Tulsa- traveled to Philadelphia on Saturday to take on AAC foe Temple. The Owls (5-3) -winners in three of its last four games- looked to capture bowl eligibility in two-time FCS national champion head coach KC Keeler’s first year on campus.
Temple was led by quarterback Evan Simon, who entered with contest with 23 touchdown passes and no interceptions. From the start, ECU defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge was intent on making Simon uncomfortable in the pocket.
We share some of the images from Saturday’s action in our photo collage recap.
Temple (5-3) came into the game seeking bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019.
ECU kickoff specialist Everett Scott, pictured, posted touchbacks on five of his eight kickoffs on the afternoon.
Temple quarterback Evan Simon came into the contest with 23 touchdowns and zero interceptions. ECU DC Josh Aldridge -on his way to USF- used all-out blitzes to keep Simon (15-of-25, 151 yards, one INT) off-balance.
Temple leading WR JoJo Bermudez (No. 17 pictured) can't quite make the catch after getting behind ECU first-team All-AAC safety Ja'Marley Riddle (No. 2 pictured).
Temple head coach KC Keeler, pictured, has an overall 276-119-1 record across four head coaching stops. He won two FCS national titles as a head coach at Sam Houston State before heading to the FBS level this past season.
In a battle of all-conference personnel, Temple third-team All-AAC cornerback Ben Osueke (No. 24 pictured) faces off against ECU first-team All-AAC receiver Anthony Smith (No. 9 pictured).
East Carolina all-purpose QB/WR Mike Wright,Jr. scores on a zone read 18-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter of Saturday's action.
Temple running back Jay Ducker (No. 20 pictured) breaks the tackle of ECU DT Justin Benton (No. 99 pictured) on Saturday afternoon.
Temple OLB Cam'Ron Stewart -a second-team All-AAC selection- encourages his defense on the sidelines. Stewart (No. 25 pictured) finished with five sacks and 10.5 tackles for losses in 2025.
ECU quarterback Katin Houser hands the ball off as the offensive line controls the action up front. Houser -a former Michigan State Spartan- completed a season-high 79-percent of his 24 attempts for 256 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Temple head coach KC Keeler meets ECU second-year head coach Blake Harrell in the middle of the field after Saturday's contest.
