Temple vs. Utah State Tickets & How to Watch Info
Tickets: Get tickets to this game on Vivid Seats
Game date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Game time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
TV channel: ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Utah State football’s non-conference game at Temple is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, with a noon (MT) kickoff.
This will be Utah State’s first-ever meeting with Temple, marking the start of a home-and-home series. The Owls will visit USU on September 23, 2028.
Following tough matchups against Power Five opponents in Weeks 2 and 3, Utah State’s final non-conference game is a cross-country contest at Temple.
This game will contrast with facing USC and Utah. Temple is not seen as a high-level contender, so this should be a great barometer to see where the Aggies are as a football team.
The Owls have modest expectations, making this a more winnable game for the Aggies—significant if they enter with a 1-2 record.
In 2023, Temple’s top performer on offense was quarterback E.J. Warner.
Warner, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, had an impressive season, showing his potential as a young talent.
He threw for over 3,000 yards and contributed significantly to the team’s offensive production, often standing out in games with his poise and ability to make plays under pressure.
His performances were crucial for Temple, especially in their competitive outings. When passing the ball, you could say, “Like father, like son.”
Temple in 2023 Temple opened the 2023 season with a comeback win over Akron, where QB E.J. Warner threw for nearly 300 yards.
Defensively, holding Akron to 21 points was a positive sign after allowing nearly 30 points per game in 2022.
Unfortunately, the season quickly unraveled. Excluding a Week 3 win over FCS Norfolk State, Temple only secured one more victory—a November 4 win against Navy, breaking a five-game losing streak.
They finished the season 3-9, the third straight year with that record, including a 1-7 conference performance where an average of three touchdowns outscored them.
In 2023, Edward Saydee was Temple’s rushing leader. He was a crucial player in the ground game, accumulating over 600 rushing yards during the season.
Saydee consistently provided the Owls with a reliable rushing option, contributing to yardage and critical touchdowns.
His performance was vital in balancing the offensive attack alongside E.J. Warner’s passing game.
2024 Season Outlook Temple is predicted to finish last in the AAC and is consistently ranked nationally among the bottom ten teams.
The offseason wasn’t kind to them, with critical contributors departing. E.J. Warner, the AAC’s passing leader, transferred, and linebacker Jordan Magee entered the NFL Draft.
The Owls lost its top two receivers, leading rusher, and six of its top defenders from 2023.
Coach Stan Drayton is banking on more than 40 newcomers to turn things around.
Position battles are underway, particularly at quarterback, where Evan Simon and Forrest Brock compete for the starting job.
Running back Joquez Smith is expected to take over after Darvon Hubbard’s departure
. At the same time, receivers Dante Wright and Zae Baines are set to lead the passing attack.
Though not stars, they are viable playmakers, with Wright catching 39 passes for 507 yards and 4 TDs and Baines posting 36/442/1 in 2023.
The Owls face challenges defensively with only three returning starters. The defensive line is the most stable unit, led by Tra Thomas, who posted 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks last year.
Temple also needs to improve in forcing turnovers, having generated just five in 2023, one of the worst totals in FBS.
Last week against USC, the Utah State Aggies gave up 544 total yards of offense, 295 through the air and 249 in rushing, which is substantial.
It begs the question: Was USC that good, or were the Aggies bad on the defensive side or somewhere in the middle?
You can bet the Owls took notice, so it is something to watch for in this game in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia.
In the upcoming Utah State vs. Temple game, here are some key players to watch from both teams:
Temple
- E.J. Warner (QB): Temple’s standout quarterback and offensive leader, Warner has shown strong decision-making and passing ability. His performance will be critical in leading the offense.
- Edward Saydee (RB): Temple’s rushing leader, Saydee provides a balanced ground game that can keep the Aggies’ defense on their toes.
- Darian Varner (DL): Varner is a key defensive presence for Temple, known for his ability to disrupt the backfield and pressure the quarterback.
Utah State
- Cooper Legas (QB): Utah State’s returning quarterback, Legas is a dual-threat player capable of making plays both in the air and on the ground.
- Terrell Vaughn (WR): One of Utah State’s top receivers, Vaughn is a big-play threat who can stretch the field and make critical catches.
- Ike Larsen (DB): A defensive playmaker, Larsen is known for his coverage skills and ability to create turnovers, making him a key to slowing down Temple’s passing attack.
These players will be pivotal in shaping the outcome of the game.
Game Prediction Temple hasn’t had a bowl-worthy team since 2019, and while Utah State is favored, they’ve struggled on the road the past two seasons, going 5-7 and being outscored by an average of 10.5 points.
The Aggies should win, but a close game is likely, with any margin greater than eight points breaking a recent trend.