The Howard Bison will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. This Week 2 matchup of the 2025 regular season is set for Saturday, September 6, with a 2:00 PM kickoff. Fans can catch the action on ESPN+.
Howard Bison enters this contest with a challenging start to their season, having lost 44-7 to Rutgers Scarlet Knights in their last outing. Their performance included 14 first downs and a total of 262 offensive yards. Despite these efforts, the team is still searching for their first win of the season.
Conversely, the Temple Owls are riding high after a dominant 42-10 victory against the Massachusetts Minutemen in Week 1. Temple showcased a balanced offensive approach with 276 passing yards and 192 rushing yards. As the home team, they look to continue their strong start under the familiar conditions at Lincoln Financial Field.
Temple vs Howard At a Glance
- Game Venue: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
- Kickoff Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Temple Owls Record: 1-0 this season
- Howard Bison Record: 0-1 last season
- Game Odds: Temple favored with a spread of -25.5
Temple Owls Aim to Soar Higher in the 2025 Season
Temple’s Offensive Overview
The Temple Owls have shown a significant improvement in their offensive performance this season. They currently rank 20th in points for, with a total of 42, demonstrating a solid scoring capability. Their passing game is also a key strength, as they have accumulated 276 passing yards, placing them 36th in the rankings.
The rushing game has been a strong point as well, with 192 rushing yards securing them the 47th spot. With 24 first downs, the Owls are ranked 17th, indicating their ability to sustain drives and keep the chains moving.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, the Owls have been impressive, limiting their opponents to just 10 points, which is the 6th best in the league. Their ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks is evident, with 2 sacks also ranked 6th.
In terms of turnovers, Temple has excelled with 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery, placing them 2nd and 3rd respectively. This indicates a defense that not only stops opponents but also creates opportunities for their offense.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent game against the Massachusetts Minutemen, Temple showcased their offensive and defensive prowess with a commanding 42-10 victory. They managed 24 first downs compared to Massachusetts’ 18, illustrating their offensive efficiency.
The Owls’ passing game was particularly effective, with 276 yards through the air, significantly outpacing the Minutemen’s 199 yards. On the ground, Temple dominated with 192 rushing yards, compared to Massachusetts’ 103, highlighting their balanced attack.
Player Spotlight
Evan Simon, Temple’s quarterback, delivered an impressive performance with 248 passing yards, ranking 45th in the league. His ability to distribute the ball efficiently is a key factor in Temple’s offensive success.
Running back Jay Ducker also shone with 128 rushing yards, placing him 20th in the league. His contributions on the ground provide a necessary balance to the Owls’ offensive strategy.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Day Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS in Away Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U in Away Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
Howard Bison Set to Challenge Opponents with Strong Defense
Offensive Analysis
The Howard Bison have struggled offensively, scoring just 7 points in their most recent game. With only 116 passing yards, they ranked 191st, indicating difficulties in their aerial attack. On the ground, they recorded 146 rushing yards, placing them 167th in rushing offense.
First downs have been a challenge as well, with the Bison securing just 14, ranking them 115th. This indicates a need for improvement in sustaining drives and converting opportunities.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Bison have been more effective, allowing 44 points but ranking 16th in points against. Their ability to prevent opponents from scoring is a positive sign for their defense. However, their pass rush needs work as they recorded no sacks, ranking 46th.
Despite the lack of sacks, Howard’s secondary has shown strength with zero interceptions allowed, ranking them 1st. Their ability to prevent turnovers through the air is a key defensive highlight.
Player Highlights
Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins leads the offense, having passed for 116 yards in their latest outing. Although he threw one interception, his leadership remains crucial for the team. Running backs Eden James and Jarett Hunter combined for 73 rushing yards, adding depth to the ground game.
Wide receiver Isiah Williams stood out with 39 receiving yards from three receptions. Meanwhile, Richie Ilarraza contributed four receptions for 25 yards. Their contributions will be essential for the Bison’s offensive progression.
Betting Trends
- Howard Bison have struggled offensively, scoring 7 points in their last game.
- Defensively, they rank 16th in points against, showcasing a strong defense.
- No sacks recorded in their last outing, indicating room for improvement in the pass rush.
- Ranked 1st in interceptions allowed, highlighting a solid secondary.
Temple vs Howard Prediction: Temple -25.5
Temple Owls have started the season strong with a 1-0 record and have shown impressive offensive capabilities, scoring 42 points in their opener. Their defense also appears stout, allowing just 10 points, which ranks them 6th in the nation. Given Temple’s home-field advantage at Lincoln Financial Field, the Owls are in a prime position to cover the -25.5 spread against Howard.
Howard Bison, on the other hand, struggled last season, with a record of 0-1 to start this season. Their offense managed to score only 7 points per game last year, which ranked 134th in scoring. Facing a strong Temple defense, it’s unlikely that Howard will manage to keep the game within the spread.
Temple’s performance trends are favorable, having covered their last spread as a favorite and showcasing a potent mix of offensive and defensive strength. The Bison’s weak defensive stats, particularly in points against and lack of interceptions or fumble recoveries, indicate that Temple should be able to dictate the game’s tempo.
With the odds stacked in Temple’s favor and their recent form, the Owls are expected to dominate this encounter and cover the -25.5 spread. Our projected final score for the game is Temple 45 – Howard 10.
- Temple vs Howard Prediction: Temple -25.5
- Temple vs Howard Score: Temple 45 – Howard 10
