Temple Downs Tulsa 38 – 37 in Overtime, Improves to 3 – 1 in The American
October 25, 2025 –
The Temple Owls are trying to prove that they belong in the upper half of the standings in the American. The Owls could not afford a loss to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, winless in the league, to remain in a loftier position. To do so it may take a late drive, defensive stand, or in this situation a crucial stop on a do-or-die two-point conversion by Tulsa in overtime. The Golden Hurricane matched Temple in the overtime by scoring on their first possession. A gutsy call by Tulsa, go for two and win it then and there.
The Golden Hurricane lined up in the wildcat formation and snapped the ball to Brody Foley. He moved to the middle and set up for a jump pass. He was pressured by the Owls Demerek Morris and did not get the ball high enough to get to an open receiver. The ball knocked to the turf as Temple brings home a road 38 – 37 victory.
Temple Gets The First Score in Overtime
It took the Owls two-plays from 25 yards out to take control of the game. Quarterback Evan Simon completed a 24-yards to Colin Chase. On the next play Simon found Kajiya Hollawayne for the touchdown. Kicker Carl Hardin made the extra point, which turned out to be a huge play.
Tulsa used 5-plays to get the touchdown, a 5-yard pass to Foley from quarterback Baylor Hayes to set up the end of game drama.
A Shootout
Temple held the early lead, but two touchdowns by Foley, a run and a reception from Hayes, gave Tulsa a 17 – 14 halftime lead. Then the back and forth started.
Jay Ducker hauled in a 13-yard pass from Simon and the Owls went ahead 21-17. Hayes responded with a scoring strike to Grayson Tempest and a 24 – 21 Hurricane lead. Hollawayne caught a 6-yarder from Simon late in the third quarter and a 28 – 24 Owls lead.
In the fourth quarter it was a small play that had huge implications in the end of game strategy. Hardin converted a 52-yard filed goal with gave the Owls a 31 – 24 lead. It was a season and career long for the sophomore.
Tulsa scored with 3:44 to send the game eventually to overtime.
It was the first overtime road win for the Cherry and White since a 17 – 14 win over UConn in 2012. Temple did beat FAU at home in overtime last season.
What the Numbers Say
It was another big day for Simon who completed 24 of 35 passes for 267 yards and 5 touchdowns. This game matched his touchdown total in the season opener at UMass. He also ran for 17 yards. Hollawayne caught 3 touchdowns in his 10 catches for 85 yards. Ducker had the other two scores in his 23 yards receiving. Ducker ran for 78 yards behind Hunter Smith who had 92 rushing yards.
Tulsa signal caller Baylor Hayes completed 19 of 31 for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hayes ran for 18 yards and a score. Dominic Richardson led the Tulsa rushing attack with 78 yards. Josh Smith caught 4 passes for 112 yards. Brody had 2 touchdown receptions and one on the ground.
Temple gained 447 yards on offense and ran 69 plays. Tulsa netted 436 yards of offense on 75 plays.
And neither quarterback threw an interception.
All this offense for a game decided by an incomplete pass on a two-point conversion.
Up Next
Temple (5 – 3, 3 – 1) returns home for a Saturday game with East Carolina (4 – 3, 2 – 1). Another chance for the Owls to take a step forward in the league standings.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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