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Temple Gains Early Lead in East Division Race, Defeats Cincinnati, 34-26

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CINCINNATI -- Look out for the Owls.

Temple followed its big in-state victory with an impressive road win on Saturday, beating Cincinnati 34-26 behind its swarming defense and more big plays from Jahad Thomas in the American Athletic Conference opener.

The Owls (2-0, 1-0) opened the season with their first win over Penn State since 1941, then visited a neighboring state and proved they were much more than a one-week wonder. Their top running back led the way to their first 2-0 start since 2011.

Thomas returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards, and then ran 56 yards for a touchdown on Temple's next possession to put the Owls in control.