PHILADELPHIA — Temple (2-1, 0-0) defeated Norfolk State (1-2, 0-0) at Lincoln Financial Field, 41-9, behind a strong rushing attack Saturday afternoon. The story of the game was freshman RB Joquez Smith, who compiled 157 total yards and two touchdowns. Smith's 142 rushing yards are the most by a Temple freshman since Re'Mahn Davis in 2019.

The Owls wasted no time taking an early lead. QB E.J. Warner went 3-for-5 with 64 yards and completed to Smith for a 15-yard touchdown reception to give Temple a 7-0 lead with 11:37 remaining in the first quarter. With 1:09 remaining in the first quarter, QB Quincy Patterson scored a one-yard touchdown rush to extend Temple's lead to 14-0.

The Spartans scored their first points of the game with 10:23 remaining in the first half on a two-yard touchdown pass from QB Otto Kuhns to WR Aaron Moore that cut the Owls' lead to 14-7.

Smith broke loose for a 51-yard rushing touchdown with 9:00 left in the second quarter to give the Owls a 21-7 lead.

With 5:23 left in the first half, RB Darvon Hubbard scored on a 21-yard rushing touchdown to give Temple a 28-7 lead at the half.

Patterson rushed in a touchdown from two yards out with 3:24 left in the third. His second touchdown of the day gave the Owls a 38-7 lead.

The Owls held strong on a goal-line stand with 12:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, retaking possession after the Spartans progressed down to the Temple one-yard line. A holding penalty in the endzone on the following drive resulted in a Norfolk State safety, giving the team its final two points of the game.

Camden Price's second field goal of the game with 1:59 left on the clock sealed the Cherry and White's victory.