BREAKING: Temple Owls football head coach Stan Drayton makes final decision on quarterback Evan Simon’s position

Owls’ quarterback battle should be a case-closed situation

Following Evan Simon’s first career start in a Temple uniform last week, head coach Stan Drayton spoke of the “moxie and presence” Simon displayed under center. He provided the Owls with a breath of fresh air against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 14, recording 185 yards and two touchdowns through the air, bringing Temple one drive away from potentially tying the game.

Simon stepped in for then-starter Forrest Brock, who injured his wrist in a 38-11 loss to Navy on Sept. 7. Although Simon’s performance boosted the offense, Drayton remained silent on whether Simon secured the position permanently, re-opening the quarterback battle ahead of Temple’s game against Utah State.

Brock suited up for Temple’s (1-3, 0-1 American Athletic Conference) game against Utah State (1-3, 0-0 Mountain West Conference) as he did against the Chanticleers. Once again, he didn’t throw during pregame warmups, and Simon got the start. This time, Simon may have solidified his status as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.

The game became the Evan Simon show, as he finished with 271 yards and five passing touchdowns on 17-27 passing after a slow start, effectively dismantling the Aggies’ defense. His performance led Temple to a 45-29 victory, marking their first win of the season.

“There is no one who is as strong-willed as that young man,” Drayton said. “You can look at all the measurables and athletic attributes, but someone needs to open that kid’s chest and look at his heart. It’s as big as this stadium, and he’s as tough as nails.”

Simon’s poise and moxie when the team is behind have given him an edge over Brock, Drayton noted. This win also marked Simon’s first as a starter since he became Rutgers’ quarterback on Sept. 17, 2022.

The offense began to find its rhythm after a scoreless first quarter, where Simon went 1-6 passing and the offense managed just 27 yards. The Owls were in a 14-point hole and had three drives start at their goal line before finally moving down the field.

With a minute left before halftime, Simon faced immediate pressure but remained poised, connecting with running back Antwain Littleton, who scored to tie the game.

“I’m proud of this football team,” Simon said. “We’ve faced a lot of adversity at the beginning of the game, and the leadership on this team took over.”

The turning point came in the third quarter when Simon delivered a 91-yard strike to receiver Dante Wright, who raced past every Aggie to secure the first lead of the game—and season. The floodgates opened, and Simon led scoring drives on the next three possessions.

“They were playing robber coverage,” Wright said. “They were going to double the two inside guys, so I just slipped past them and found myself in the endzone.”

In his two starts, Simon has transformed an offense that was struggling into a dynamic unit. Brock only led the Owls to 14 points in two games, with no touchdowns in the first half. In contrast, Simon has scored 65 points in his two games under center.

“I love touchdowns,” Drayton said. “I’m not picky about how we get them. It’s great to be multi-dimensional. Six different players scored [Saturday]. That shows a lot about our quarterback’s ability to distribute the ball effectively.”

Although it can be argued that Simon’s performances came against weaker defenses, the Owls appear completely different with the former Rutgers quarterback leading the charge. Temple looks comfortable taking deep shots downfield, and on two of his passing touchdowns, Simon placed the ball perfectly for his receivers to catch.

Drayton is still non-committal on whether Simon has earned the starting job, but he mentioned that Brock “has his work cut out for him.” The locker room has rallied behind the transfer quarterback, and the starting job appears to be his to lose until proven otherwise.

“[Simon is] exactly what we need right now,” Drayton said.