Penn State‐Temple Rivalry Rekindles After Decade‐Long Hiatus

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The long‑cherished rivalry between Penn State and Temple is set to resume this weekend, with the Nittany Lions heading back to Philadelphia for the first time since their 27‑10 loss at Lincoln Financial Field in 2015.

After a decade-long pause, the two programs will meet again on Saturday, revived by the historic stadium that once hosted their first showdown in 1931. The matchup, which carries a 95‑year legacy, is more than a tally of wins and losses; it is a narrative of triumphs, heartbreaks and unforgettable moments that have defined both teams' identities. Penn State's dominance over the series is unquestionable.

With an all‑time record of 40‑4‑1, the Nittany Lions have won thirty‑two of the last thirty‑three encounters. Their last thirty‑one consecutive victories, spanning from 1952 to 2014, were largely orchestrated by the legendary coach Joe Paterno, who guided the team through the majority of that stretch. During that period the Lions outscored the Owls by a staggering 1,068 to 331 points, maintaining an average margin of 23.8 points per game and registering four shutouts.

The most lop‑slop result in the rivalry was the 66‑14 blowout in 1995, a game that underscored Penn State's offensive prowess. Yet the rivalry's flavor comes from the dramatic encounters that punctuated the decades. The opening duel in 1931 saw the Owls upset the Nittany Lions with a 12‑0 shutout before a crowd of 20,000 at Temple Stadium.

A decade earlier, in 1941, the waterlogged, mud‑slick field delivered Temple's last triumph in seventy‑four years, as the Owls beat the Lions 14‑0 and stole the hearts of their supporters. The 1975 meeting at Franklin Field was another nail‑biter; Penn State edged the Owls 26‑25 in front of a staggering 57,112‑strong audience.

The next year, a last‑second touchdown took the game in Temple's favour, but a chaotic incident- a spectator barging onto the field and delaying the clock - forced Penn State's hand to attempt a risky two‑point conversion that ultimately spoiled their hopes of a tie. The 1978 encounter, the 1985 showdown, and the 2005 game all added layers to the story: a field‑goal victory for a top‑ranked Penn State, a near‑miss by the Owls as Paul Palmer ran for 206 yards in 1985, and the dramatic swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

The most recent of these, the 2015 match, saw Temple truncate Penn State's early dominance by taking the lead early and capitalizing on a defense that forced ten sacks, including a trio of stops by All‑American linebacker Tyler Matakevich. Matt Rhule, now the face of Temple football, earned a standing ovation from his legacy as a former Penn State walk‑on and graduate assistant.

Similarly, Penn State's James Franklin paid tribute to former Temple coach Matt Rhule after the Owls' 2015 triumph, highlighting the mutual respect that has evolved in spite of fierce competition. Despite a stifling record, Temple's resurgence in recent years owes much to former Penn State players who rose to leadership.

Al Golden, a former tight‑end on the Nittany Lions, paved the way with a strong tenured period at Temple beginning in 2006, while Rhule, a former Penn State walk‑on, leveraged his experience to build a competitive program that took the Owls to a bowl game and an Atlantic Coast conference title in 2016. Their combined efforts signified a renaissance for the Owls, whose road to college football prominence was built on the same hardwood that has produced so many memorable moments.

Now, as the two squads prepare for their next clash, fans anticipate a contest that will carry the legacy of past glories and underscore the ever‑evolving nature of this storied rivalry.

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Penn State Temple Rivalry College Football History

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