Owls freshman RB impresses in first start

DALLAS - As expected, Temple running back Jahad Thomas wasn't in the starting lineup during Friday night's American Athletic Conference game at SMU. The Temple junior, however did see sufficient action beginning late in the first half.

Thomas, who entered the game leading the AAC in rushing (113 yards per game) had injured his ribs in last week's 24-20 loss to Notre Dame.

Freshman Jager Gardner earned his first start and he made quite an impression. After gaining 1 yard on his first carry, Gardener went up the middle for a school-record 94-yard touchdown run on Temple's second offensive play.

The longest previous run in Temple history was 84 yards by Kevin Grady vs. Akron in 1975.

Gardner had entered the game with just four carries for -1 yards.

Thomas would rush for 14 yards on six carries in the first half, while Gardner had 104 yards on four carries in the first two quarters.

Take away Gardner's 94-yard run and Temple gained 55 yards on 19 carries.

Helping the coaches Temple center Kyle Friend, who suffered a knee injury in last week's 24-20 loss to Notre Dame, saw his string of 41 consecutive starts snapped. Friend made the trip and was with the team, helping the coaches upstairs in the coaching box.

Coach Matt Rhule talked about how Friend was helpful during the week in meetings, doing whatever he could to aid the Owls.

The Temple record for most consecutive games as a starter is 47 by center Alex Derenthal, who played from 2004-2008.

Friend had his first five starts as a right guard and then last 36 at center.

Junior Brendan McGowan (6-foot-4, 300), with 13 previous starts but none this year, replaced Friend in the starting lineup.

Tough first, better second SMU has been a fast starter this season, having scored on its first drive in five of its first eight games. On Friday, SMU failed to score in the first quarter, which had been its best of the season. The Mustangs had outscored teams, 86-75, in the opening quarter, but faced a 14-0 deficit after the first 15 minutes against Temple.

It was the first time this year that SMU had failed to score at least a touchdown in the opening quarter.

Conversely, Temple had only outscored teams, 30-14 in the opening quarter before its 14-0 edge over SMU.

It was the second quarter where SMU did its damage, outscoring the Owls, 14-7 and briefly taking a 17-14 lead. That was only the second time this season the Mustangs have outscored a team in the second quarter, with the only other occasion a 7-0 advantage on opening day against Baylor.

Three players whose status was uncertain due to undisclosed injuries, all played for Temple. Cornerback Tavon Young and left tackle Dion Dawkins started and defensive end Nate D. Smith came in as a reserve. Ryquell Armstead went in the locker room to have X-rays on his foot in the third quarter.