Temple’s Late Surge Stuns Tulane 49–42 As Owls Flip East Standings

Josh Folck | The Stateline Gazette

PHILADELPHIA — Evan Simon threw four touchdown passes, added a rushing score, and Temple erupted in the fourth quarter to stun Tulane 49–42 on Saturday night in a back-and-forth Stateline Conference shootout that reshaped the East Division race.

After weeks of narrow losses, the Owls finally broke through, scoring twice in the final quarter to pull away in a game that had been tied entering the final 15 minutes.

“It felt like a season’s worth of frustration came out in that fourth quarter,” Temple coach Grant Easterday said. “Our guys just refused to let it slip away again.”

Back-and-forth from the start

Tulane struck first and often early, taking a 13–7 lead after one quarter and stretching the margin to 28–21 by halftime behind quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who carved up the Temple secondary.

Retzlaff threw for 348 yards and five touchdowns, spreading the ball across a deep receiving group and keeping the Owls on their heels.

“We were aggressive and confident early,” Tulane coach Evan Wilkins said. “That’s the version of our offense we’ve been chasing all year.”

Temple stayed within striking distance, and by the end of the third quarter the score was knotted at 35–35, setting up a frantic finish.

Simon takes over

Simon took control in the fourth quarter, delivering poise and precision when Temple needed it most. The quarterback finished 21-of-32 for 280 yards and four touchdowns through the air, while also punching in a rushing score.

He repeatedly found Xavier Irvin, who caught nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Peter Clarke and JoJo Bermudez each delivered red-zone scores as Temple finally broke free.

“Evan was poised, he was decisive, and he trusted his guys,” Easterday said. “That’s what winning football looks like.”

Temple finished with 431 total yards and scored on two fourth-quarter drives to seize control.

Tulane’s missed chances

Tulane matched Temple blow for blow for most of the night but couldn’t deliver the final defensive stop.

Shazz Preston caught three touchdown passes, and Omari Hayes added 86 receiving yards and a score. But two interceptions by Retzlaff loomed large, including one that Temple turned into points late.

“We had chances to put it away and didn’t,” Wilkins said. “Against a team playing that desperate and that hard, you can’t leave the door open.”

What it means

The win keeps Temple alive in the East Division race and injects momentum into a season that appeared to be slipping away just weeks ago.

For Tulane, the loss was another reminder of the thin margins in a division packed with contenders.

“We’re better than our record,” Wilkins said. “But until we close games, that doesn’t matter.”

On a chaotic night in Philadelphia, Temple closed — and Tulane did not.

Score Summary

Temple 49, Tulane 42 Tulane 13, Temple 7 — 1st Tulane 28, Temple 21 — Halftime 35–35 — End of 3rd Temple 49, Tulane 42 — Final

Team Statistics

Temple: 431 total yards Rushing: 151 yards, 3 TDs Passing: 280 yards, 4 TDs

Tulane: 446 total yards Rushing: 98 yards, 1 TD Passing: 348 yards, 5 TDs

Individual Statistics

Passing

Temple: Evan Simon 21/32, 280 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT Tulane: Jake Retzlaff 22/28, 348 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INT

Rushing

Temple:Jay Ducker 17 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD, Jocquez Smith 4 carries, 19 yards, 1 TD,Evan Simon 5 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD

Tulane:Jamauri McClure 16 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD, Maurice Turner 4 carries, 50 yards, Jake Retzlaff 2 carries, 1 yard

Receiving

Temple:Xavier Irvin 9 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD, Peter Clarke 3 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD, JoJo Bermudez 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD, Kajiya Hollawayne 2 receptions, 27 yards, Colin Chase 1 reception, 9 yards, Ryder Kusch 1 reception, 5 yards

Tulane:Justyn Reid 6 receptions, 113 yards, Bryce Bohanon 6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD, Shazz Preston 5 receptions, 63 yards, 3 TDs, Omari Hayes 4 receptions, 86 yards, 1 TD, Johnny Pascuzzi 1 reception, 12 yards