Temple has found its identity under K.C. Keeler. But these numbers show there’s still work to do.
The Owls are 2-3 after Saturday’s 17-13 win against previously unbeaten South Florida, but its record only tells part of the story.
Temple spent much of K.C. Keeler’s first season searching for an identity.
Five games into Year 2, the Owls seem to have one.
Temple is 2-3 after Saturday’s 17-13 win against previously unbeaten South Florida, but its record only tells part of the story. The Owls have built their offense around the run game, cut back some of the mistakes that plagued them last season, and repeatedly put themselves in position to win close games.
Their shortcomings are just as visible. Temple has struggled to get opponents off the field and remains limited through the air, leaving little margin for error in the fourth quarter.
Here are five numbers that help explain what Temple has become this season.
212.6
Temple’s offense starts on the ground.
The Owls average 212.6 rushing yards through five games, a significant jump from the 147.4 they averaged last season. Their 5.5 yards per carry is also up from 4.4 in 2025.
More important than the average has been the consistency.
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Temple has rushed for at least 176 yards in every game, including 182 against South Florida. The Owls totaled a season-high 261 yards against Toledo and have shown they can produce on the ground regardless of opponent or game script.
The commitment is unmistakable. Temple has run the ball 195 times compared with only 95 pass attempts. For the Owls, it’s about staying ahead of the chains, controlling games on the ground, and making opponents stop them before asking their quarterbacks to carry the offense.
149.4
The other side of that identity is a passing game Temple has rarely needed — or wanted — to feature.
The Owls average 149.4 passing yards after averaging 197.4 last season. Temple threw for just 92 yards in its win against South Florida.
Ajani Sheppard has completed 40 of 72 passes for 631 yards and six touchdowns while avoiding an interception through five games. Jaxon Smolik has attempted another 23 passes.
Temple isn’t asking either quarterback to throw 35 or 40 times. Instead, the passing game has largely complemented what the Owls establish on the ground.
That formula worked against South Florida. Temple produced only 274 total yards but avoided turnovers and pieced together a 96-yard, game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
33.4
Keeler has repeatedly emphasized avoiding self-inflicted mistakes, and Temple has made noticeable progress in one area. The Owls average 33.4 penalty yards after averaging 50.5 last season — a decrease of nearly 34%.
They were flagged only three times for 15 yards against South Florida, allowing an offense built around staying on schedule to do exactly that.
For a team that has already played three games decided by four points or fewer, those yards matter.
50%
Temple’s biggest problem has come when its defense has had an opportunity to end drives.
Opponents have converted 50% (33 of 66) of third downs against the Owls. Temple’s offense, by comparison, has converted 40% of its own third downs.
The Owls surrendered late scoring drives in consecutive losses to Toledo and Army before finally finishing against South Florida. The Bulls converted seven of their 15 third downs, but Temple forced a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter before recovering a fumble on the final play.
+5
Perhaps no number better captures Temple’s season.
The Owls have been outgained, 1,878-1,810, and sit below .500. Yet they have outscored opponents, 129-124.
Temple has built an identity designed to keep games within reach: run the football, avoid mistakes, and have an opportunity late.
Against Toledo and Army, the Owls couldn’t finish.
Against South Florida, they did.
Five games into the season, and led by the continued approach of Keeler, Temple no longer appears to be searching for what it wants to be. Now, it’s whether that identity can consistently turn close games into wins.
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