If you’ve spent any time watching the American Athletic Conference (AAC) lately, you know that some matchups just defy logic. UTSA Roadrunners football vs Temple football is exactly one of those games. On paper, it looks like a standard conference meeting between a Texas program on the rise and a historic Philadelphia team trying to find its feet. But on the turf? It’s been a chaotic rollercoaster that keeps messing with everyone's betting slips.
Honestly, the most recent meeting in October 2025 told us everything we need to know about where these two stand. Most fans in San Antonio expected a cakewalk. I mean, the Roadrunners had owned the Owls in their previous two meetings, outscoring them by nearly 40 points combined. But college football doesn't care about your "recent trends."
The 2025 Shocker at Lincoln Financial Field
Temple basically flipped the script on its head during their last encounter. It was October 4, 2025. The Roadrunners walked into Philadelphia as 6.5-point favorites, looking to extend a dominant run. For the first half, it looked like business as usual. UTSA led 14-3 at the break, and the Owls looked, well, like they were struggling to find an identity under first-year head coach K.C. Keeler.
Then the third quarter happened. It was a 15-minute meltdown for UTSA and a 15-minute miracle for Temple.
The Owls erupted for 21 points in that quarter alone. Evan Simon, the Rutgers transfer who has been a steady hand for Temple, started carving up the secondary. He hit JoJo Bermudez for a score, and then Hunter Smith tore off a 54-yard touchdown run that basically sucked the air out of the UTSA sideline. By the time Peter Clarke hauled in a 15-yard pass from Simon, Temple had a lead they wouldn't give back.
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Final score: Temple 27, UTSA 21.
It was Temple’s first-ever win against the Roadrunners. Just like that, the "safe bet" was gone.
Breaking Down the All-Time Series
Even with that 2025 upset, UTSA still holds the edge in the overall series history. They currently lead 2-1. But the way those games played out shows a massive shift in momentum.
- 2023: UTSA won 49-34. This was peak Frank Harris era stuff. The Roadrunners’ offense was a juggernaut, racking up nearly 500 yards of total offense.
- 2024: UTSA absolutely dismantled Temple 51-27. This was the game that made people think the Owls might never catch up. Robert Henry Jr. was a nightmare for the Temple defense, and the game was over by halftime.
- 2025: The 27-21 Temple win mentioned above. This changed the narrative from "UTSA dominance" to "competitive AAC rivalry."
You’ve gotta look at the stats to see why the 2025 game was so weird. In the previous years, UTSA’s offense was explosive. They were hitting 75-yard touchdowns like they were routine. But in the 2025 game, the Temple defense—led by guys like Demerick Morris and Curly Ordonez—finally figured out how to keep the lid on. UTSA's longest play was only 36 yards. That’s a massive win for a defensive coordinator.
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The Quarterback Duel: McCown vs Simon
The heart of UTSA Roadrunners football vs Temple football right now is the battle under center. Owen McCown has taken over the mantle for UTSA, and he’s been... well, he’s been a gunslinger. In the 2025 loss, he threw for 234 yards and two scores, but those two interceptions were killers. That’s the McCown experience—high ceiling, but he'll give the other team a chance if they stay patient.
On the other side, Evan Simon has been the stabilizing force Temple desperately needed. He’s not necessarily going to put up 500 yards, but he’s efficient. During that 2025 win, he hit a milestone of 100 straight pass attempts without a pick. In a league where turnovers usually decide the champion, that kind of discipline is worth its weight in gold.
Why the Venue Matters
There is a weird "home field" thing going on here too. San Antonio's Alamodome is a fortress. When Temple had to travel there in 2024, they got waxed. The noise, the heat (even indoors), and the "210" energy are tough for any East Coast team to handle.
But Philadelphia in October? That’s a different vibe. Lincoln Financial Field might not always be packed for college games, but the atmosphere is colder, the wind can be a factor, and for a Texas-based team like UTSA, it’s a long flight for a noon kickoff. The Roadrunners have looked significantly more vulnerable when they have to leave the 100-degree Texas sun.
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What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
If you're looking ahead to the next time these two square off, don't just look at the win-loss record. Look at the trenches. Temple’s defensive line has finally grown some teeth. Demerick Morris and Sekou Kromah are becoming household names in the AAC for a reason. They lived in the UTSA backfield last time around, recording three sacks and forcing McCown into some bad decisions.
UTSA, meanwhile, needs to find their "big play" identity again. Robert Henry Jr. is still one of the best backs in the conference, but if teams like Temple can hold him under 100 yards—as the Owls did for the first time in a year back in October—the Roadrunners become one-dimensional.
Key Tactical Shifts
- Temple’s Red Zone Defense: They’ve moved from a "bend and break" style to a "multiple 3-4" that confuses young quarterbacks.
- UTSA’s Tempo: Coach Jeff Traylor loves to go fast, but against a disciplined Temple team, going fast can sometimes just mean three-and-outs that tire out your own defense.
- Special Teams: Don't sleep on Carl Hardin. The Temple kicker was the unsung hero in 2025, nailing field goals from 31 and 36 yards that provided the final margin of victory.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you are following this series, here is the reality: the days of UTSA being a double-digit favorite over Temple are likely over. The Owls have found a system under K.C. Keeler that prioritizes ball security and defensive pressure.
- Watch the Turnovers: In all three meetings, the team that won the turnover battle won the game. Simple, but true.
- The "Texas" Factor: If the game is in San Antonio, lean UTSA. If it's in Philly, it's a toss-up regardless of what the "experts" say.
- Player to Track: Devin McCuin for UTSA. He’s the safety valve for McCown. If he’s getting 8+ targets, UTSA’s offense is usually in a rhythm. If he’s erased by the secondary, UTSA struggles.
Basically, this isn't a mismatch anymore. It's a fight. The 2025 season proved that Temple has finally caught up to the standard UTSA set when they first joined the AAC. Whether you’re a Roadrunner fan hoping to reclaim the crown or an Owl looking to start a winning streak, this matchup is now a must-watch on the conference calendar.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the next meeting, specifically in the secondary for UTSA and the offensive line for Temple, as those units have been the "make or break" factors in their recent slugfests.