Ajani Sheppard’s late TD run pushes Temple past previously unbeaten USF

USF quarterback Michael van Buren Jr., shown last month against Army, was 17-of-32 passing for 205 yards in USF’s 17-13 loss to Temple Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. ©Mike Buscher
Quarterback Ajani Sheppard broke loose on a 34-yard touchdown run with 3:08 remaining to help Temple knock off previously unbeaten South Florida 17-13 on Saturday night.
Sheppard’s TD run capped a 10-play, 96-yard drive that chewed 5:24 off the clock. USF then had two possessions but couldn’t convert on fourth and 8 near midfield and then fumbled to end it.
Temple quarterback Ajani Sheppard, shown last month against Penn State, carried the ball 14 times for 87 yards and completed 9 of 14 passes for 92 yards Saturday against USF.
Sheppard carried the ball 14 times for 87 yards and completed 9 of 14 passes for 92 yards. His 24-yard touchdown pass to JoJo Bermudez in the second quarter helped give Temple (2-3, 1-1 American Conference) a 10-3 lead at the break.
Michael Van Buren Jr. was 17-of-32 passing for 205 yards for USF (4-1, 1-1). D.J. Crowther had a short-yardage touchdown run and finished with 68 yards rushing for the Bulls. Nico Gramatica made field goals from 35 and 49 yards but missed a 52-yard attempt in the second quarter.
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