The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[ 1] Cincinnati , who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.
Media poll
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Cincinnati
262 (22)
2
UCF
241 (2)
3
SMU
188
4
Houston
181
5
Memphis
168
6
Tulsa
153
7
Tulane
132
т-8
East Carolina
85
т-8
Navy
85
10
Temple
46
11
South Florida
43
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 4 12:00 p.m. at Rutgers * BTN L 14–6152,519
September 11 3:30 p.m. at Akron * ESPN+ W 45–2414,474
September 18 12:00 p.m. Boston College * ESPNU L 3–2825,290
September 25 12:00 p.m. Wagner * Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPN+ W 41–720,179
October 2 12:00 p.m. Memphis Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPNU W 34–3128,573
7:00 p.m. at No. 5 Cincinnati ESPN L 3–5237,978
October 23 7:00 p.m. at South Florida ESPN+ L 14–3425,430
October 30 12:00 p.m. UCF Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPN+ L 7–4919,595
November 6 3:00 p.m. at East Carolina ESPN+ L 3–4532,817
November 13 12:00 p.m. Houston Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPN+ L 8–3718,440
November 20 4:00 p.m. at Tulsa ESPN+ L 10–4416,731
November 27 12:00 p.m. Navy Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA ESPNU L 14–3816,708
Source:[ 2]
Temple at Rutgers
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
0
7 7 0
14
• Scarlet Knights
12
14 14 21
61
Scoring summary 1 11:54 RUT Olakunle Fatukasi safety(3 plays, -1 yards, 1:08) RUT 2–0
08:52 RUT Valentino Ambrosio 25-yard field goal(8 plays, 26 yards, 2:51) RUT 5–0
01:44 RUT Johnny Langan 2-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(1 play, 2 yards, 0:03) RUT 12–0
2 14:15 RUT Johnny Langan 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(6 plays, 28 yards, 2:23) RUT 19–0
10:59 RUT Kyle Monangai 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(4 plays, 22 yards, 1:24) RUT 26–0
09:15 TEM Edward Saydee 11-yard rush (Samir Gardner kick)(7 plays, 65 yards, 1:44) RUT 26–7
3 12:02 TEM D'Wan Mathis 3-yard rush (Samir Gardner kick)(9 plays, 81 yards, 2:52) RUT 26–14
08:05 RUT Bo Melton 40-yard pass from Noah Vedral (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(2 plays, 55 yards, 0:33) RUT 33–14
06:57 RUT Max Melton 46-yard interception returned (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(3 plays, 14 yards, 1:08) RUT 40–14
4 14:57 RUT Isiah Pacheco 2-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(12 plays, 64 yards, 5:29) RUT 47–14
11:26 RUT Aaron Young 1-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(4 plays, 17 yards, 1:29) RUT 54–14
03:09 RUT Kyle Monangai 7-yard rush (Valentino Ambrosio kick)(13 plays, 62 yards, 6:37) RUT 61–14
Pregame line
Over/under
RUT –14.5
52
Statistics
Temple
Rutgers
First downs
12
21
Total yards
261
365
Rushing yards
113
220
Passing yards
148
145
Turnovers
5
0
Time of possession
24:23
35:37
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
D'Wan Mathis
8/24, 148 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Edward Saydee
12 carries, 57 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jose Barbon
2 receptions, 48 yards
Rutgers
Passing
Noah Vedral
15/27, 138 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Noah Vedral
9 carries, 71 yards
Receiving
Bo Melton
6 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD
Temple at Akron
1
2 3 4 Total
• Owls
7
17 14 7
45
Zips
14
3 0 7
24
Scoring summary 1 10:19 AKR DJ Irons 9-yard rush (Cory Smigel kick)(12 plays, 77 yards, 4:41) AKR 7–0
02:43 AKR Tony Grimes Jr. 17-yard pass from Kato Nelson (Cory Smigel kick)(10 plays, 80 yards, 4:26) AKR 14–0
02:26 TEM Randle Jones 70-yard pass from Justin Lynch (Rory Bell kick)(1 play, 70 yards, 0:12) AKR 14–7
2 11:46 AKR Cory Smigel 39-yard field goal(11 plays, 53 yards, 5:40) AKR 17–7
05:24 TEM William Kwenkeu 38-yard fumble returned (Rory Bell kick)(7 plays, 15 yards, 3:10) AKR 17–14
05:12 TEM Manny Walker 3-yard interception returned (Rory Bell kick)(1 play, -10 yards, 0:05) TEM 21–17
00:37 TEM Rory Bell 26-yard field goal(10 plays, 59 yards, 2:46) TEM 24–17
3 09:34 TEM Randle Jones 27-yard pass from Justin Lynch (Rory Bell kick)(5 plays, 71 yards, 2:13) TEM 31–17
00:24 TEM Justin Lynch 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick)(11 plays, 77 yards, 5:51) TEM 38–17
4 06:06 TEM Ra'Von Bonner 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick)(11 plays, 67 yards, 5:43) TEM 45–17
02:47 AKR Konata Mumpfield 3-yard pass from DJ Irons (Cory Smigel kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 3:19) TEM 45–24
Pregame line
Over/under
TEM –6.5
52
Statistics
Temple
Akron
First downs
19
26
Total yards
432
362
Rushing yards
177
171
Passing yards
255
191
Turnovers
0
2
Time of possession
27:51
32:09
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
Justin Lynch
19/23, 255 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Tayvon Ruley
6 carries, 62 yards
Receiving
Randle Jones
7 receptions, 170 yards, 2 TDs
Akron
Passing
DJ Irons
12/22, 109 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Jonzell Norrils
15 carries, 66 yards
Receiving
Michael Mathison
8 receptions, 101 yards
Boston College at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
• RV Eagles
14
7 0 7
28
Owls
0
0 0 3
3
Scoring summary 1 13:21 BC Jaden Williams 19-yard pass from Dennis Grosel (Connor Lytton kick)(3 plays, 29 yards, 1:39) BC 7–0
00:36 BC Pat Garwo III 1-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick)(10 plays, 66 yards, 7:59) BC 14–0
2 00:48 BC Travis Levy 2-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick)(4 plays, 57 yards, 2:22) BC 21–0
4 13:09 TEM Rory Bell 22-yard field goal(11 plays, 47 yards, 5:21) BC 21–3
04:14 BC Dennis Grosel 2-yard rush (Connor Lytton kick)(8 plays, 58 yards, 4:34) BC 28–3
Pregame line
Over/under
BC –15.0
56
Statistics
Boston College
Temple
First downs
13
13
Total yards
221
245
Rushing yards
179
84
Passing yards
59
161
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
28:40
31:20
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Boston College
Passing
Dennis Grosel
7/15, 59 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Pat Garwo III
17 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
CJ Lewis
2 receptions, 21 yards
Temple
Passing
Justin Lynch
17/24, 161 yards
Rushing
Justin Lynch
21 carries, 27 yards
Receiving
Jadan Blue
3 receptions, 40 yards
Wagner at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
Seahawks
7
0 0 0
7
• Owls
0
17 17 7
41
Scoring summary 1 10:24 WAG Guenson Alexis 1-yard rush (Austin Hosier kick)(9 plays, 80 yards, 10:24) WAG 7–0
2 11:57 TEM Kyle Dobbins 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick)(11 plays, 81 yards, 6:06) TIE 7–7
06:43 TEM Rory Bell 47-yard field goal(8 plays, 27 yards, 3:01) TEM 10–7
04:20 TEM Kyle Dobbins 1-yard rush (Rory Bell kick)(3 plays, 20 yards, 1:09) TEM 17–7
3 11:48 TEM Rory Bell 31-yard field goal(8 plays, 61 yards, 3:12) TEM 20–7
07:03 TEM Kyle Dobbins 5-yard rush (Rory Bell kick)(7 plays, 77 yards, 2:51) TEM 27–7
05:12 TEM Kadas Reams 44-yard pass from D'Wan Mathis (Rory Bell kick)(3 plays, 50 yards, 0:57) TEM 34–7
4 06:25 TEM Kadas Reams 21-yard pass from D'Wan Mathis (Rory Bell kick)(10 plays, 95 yards, 4:48) TEM 41–7
Pregame line
Over/under
TEM –36.5
55
Statistics
Wagner
Temple
First downs
8
22
Total yards
159
407
Rushing yards
123
115
Passing yards
36
292
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
30:54
29:06
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Wagner
Passing
Guenson Alexis
4/8, 36 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Rickey Spruill
14 carries, 73 yards
Receiving
Jeremiah Lorick
3 receptions, 33 yards
Temple
Passing
D'Wan Mathis
22/32, 292 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Kyle Dobbins
13 carries, 61 yards, 3 TDs
Receiving
Jose Barbon
8 receptions, 130 yards
Memphis at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
Tigers
3
14 6 8
31
• Owls
0
17 7 10
34
Date: October 2, 2021Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutesGame attendance: 28,573Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 12 MPH Referee: Hank JohnsTV announcers (ESPNU ):
Statistics
Memphis
Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Temple at Cincinnati
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
0
3 0 0
3
• No. 5 Bearcats
10
7 28 7
52
Scoring summary 1 07:15 CIN Cole Smith 30-yard FG(10 plays, 48 yards, 4:26) CIN 0–3
02:52 CIN Alec Pierce 9-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Cole Smith kick)(2 plays, 13 yards, 0:34) CIN 0–10
2 09:42 CIN Jerome Ford 8-yard run (Cole Smith kick)(11 plays, 65 yards, 5:10) CIN 0–17
05:27 TEM Rory Bell 55-yard FG(9 plays, 37 yards, 4:03) CIN 3–17
3 14:50 CIN Jerome Ford 75-yard run (Cole Smith kick)(1 play, 75 yards, 0:10) CIN 3–24
11:00 CIN Tyler Scott 38-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Cole Smith kick)(2 plays, 54 yards, 0:41) CIN 3–31
07:45 CIN Charles McClelland 28-yard run (Cole Smith kick)(3 plays, 61 yards, 1:04) CIN 3–38
00:54 CIN Michael Young 11-yard pass from Desmond Ridder (Cole Smith kick)(10 plays, 76 yards, 4:03) CIN 3–45
4 10:15 CIN Ethan Wright 58-yard run (Cole Smith kick)(5 plays, 77 yards, 2:14) CIN 3–52
Pregame line
Over/under
CIN −28
54.5
Statistics
Temple
Cincinnati
First downs
14
23
Total yards
235
542
Rushing yards
85
279
Passing yards
150
263
Time of possession
31:59
28:01
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
D'Wan Mathis
16/27, 120 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Justin Lynch
3 carries, 29 yards
Receiving
Jose Barbon
5 receptions, 45 yards
Cincinnati
Passing
Desmond Ridder
22/30, 259 yards, 3 TD
Rushing
Jerome Ford
15 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Alec Pierce
6 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
Temple at South Florida
Date: October 23, 2021Location: Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL Game start: TBD EDT Elapsed time: Game attendance: Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBDReferee: TV announcers ( ):
Statistics
Temple
South Florida
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
South Florida
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Central Florida at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
• Knights
7
14 21 7
49
Owls
0
0 0 7
7
Statistics
UCF
Temple
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UCF
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Temple at East Carolina
1
2 Total
Owls
0
Pirates
0
Date: November 6, 2021Location: Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC Game start: TBD EDT Elapsed time: Game attendance: Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBDReferee: TV announcers (ESPN+): Courtney Lyle, Brandon Weeden
Statistics
Temple
East Carolina
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
East Carolina
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Houston at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
• Cougars
7
3 14 13
37
Owls
0
0 0 8
8
Date: November 13, 2021Location: Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, PA Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 16 minutesGame attendance: 18,440Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 13 MPHReferee: Edwin LeeTV announcers (ESPN+): Courtney Lyle (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 8:47 HOU Alton McCaskill 3-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(7 plays, 47 yards, 3:30) HOU 7–0
2 7:46 HOU Dalton Witherspoon 39-yard field goal(13 plays, 58 yards, 7:09) HOU 10–0
3 11:29 HOU Ta'Zhawn Henry 6-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(8 plays, 65 yards, 3:31) HOU 17–0
4:00 HOU Alton McCaskill 34-yard run (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(5 plays, 52 yards, 2:05) HOU 24–0
4 14:22 TEM Edward Saydee 1-yard run (Justin Lynch pass to Darius Pittman for two-point conversion)(4 plays, 45 yards, 0:56) HOU 24–8
10:57 HOU Jaylen Erwin 35-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon PAT blocked)(7 plays, 77 yards, 3:23) HOU 30–8
6:13 HOU Seth Green 6-yard pass from Clayton Tune (Dalton Witherspoon kick)(6 plays, 42 yards, 2:28) HOU 37–8
Line
Over/under
HOU –25.0
53
Statistics
Houston
Temple
First downs
24
10
Total yards
446
218
Rushing yards
217
99
Passing yards
229
119
Turnovers
0
3
Time of possession
39:22
20:38
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Houston
Passing
Clayton Tune
21/34, 224 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Alton McCaskill
21 rushes, 129 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving
Seth Green
7 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Temple
Passing
Justin Lynch
11/24, 119 yards, 2 INTs
Rushing
Justin Lynch
14 rushes, 78 yards
Receiving
Randle Jones
5 receptions, 36 yards
Temple at Tulsa
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
0
0 10 0
10
• Golden Hurricane
10
17 7 10
44
Statistics
Temple
Tulsa
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Temple
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Tulsa
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Navy at Temple
1
2 3 4 Total
• Midshipmen
7
10 7 14
38
Owls
0
7 7 0
14
Scoring summary 1 4:33 NAVY Carlinos Acie 11–yard run (Bijan Nichols kick) (5 plays, 27 yards, 2:22) NAVY 7–0
2 10:40 NAVY Chance Warren 15–yard pass from Xavier Arline (Bijan Nichols kick)(13 plays, 71 yards, 6:40) NAVY 14–0
8:30 TEM Ra'Von Bonner 1–yard run (Rory Bell kick)(1 play, 1 yard, 0:04) NAVY 14–7
0:11 NAVY Bijan Nichols 32–yard field goal(4 plays, –8 yards, 1:23) NAVY 17–7
3 6:43 NAVY Isaac Ruoss 3–yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)(11 plays, 58 yards, 5:22) NAVY 24–7
0:47 TEM Tayvon Ruley 4–yard run (Rory Bell kick)(14 plays, 80 yards, 5:51) NAVY 24–14
4 9:04 NAVY Isaac Ruoss 6-yard run (Bijan Nichols kick)(12 plays, 75 yards, 6:43) NAVY 31–14
1:40 NAVY Chance Warren 4–yard pass from Tai Lavatai (Bijan Nichols kick)(12 plays, 57 yards, 5:53) NAVY 38–14
Pregame line
Over/under
NAVY –13.5
42.5
Statistics
Navy
Temple
First downs
21
11
Total yards
291
182
Rushing yards
219
84
Passing yards
72
98
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
37:11
22:49
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Navy
Passing
Tai Lavatai
5/11, 57 yards, TD
Rushing
Carlinos Acie
10 carries, 86 yards, TD
Receiving
Chance Warren
3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD
Temple
Passing
Mariano Valenti
10/14, 73 yards
Rushing
Tayvon Ruley
9 carries, 68 yards, TD
Receiving
Jose Barbon
5 receptions, 34 yards