Title a long time coming for Owls

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Soon after coach Matt Rhule received the obligatory drenching on the sideline, confetti rained down on the Temple football team, and the players jumped with excitement during a celebration that was nearly five decades in the making.

Phillip Walker threw two touchdown passes, and Temple’s defense stuffed Navy’s running game as the Owls claimed their first American Athletic Conference title with a 34-10 victory Saturday.

After Temple (10-3) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions, protecting the 21-0 lead became substantially easier when the 19th-ranked Midshipmen lost standout quarter- back Will Worth to a second-quarter ankle injury.

Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said Worth is done for the season, along with running backs Toneo Gulley and Darryl Bonner, both of whom left with first-half injuries.

The Midshipmen are expected to play in the Armed Forces Bowl after facing Army next Saturday.

The Owls extended their winning streak to seven games and earned their first league title since finishing atop the Middle American Conference 49 seasons ago.

“If it means one thing, it means a promise has been fulfilled,” said Rhule, who vowed to build a winner at Temple in 2013. “When you win this conference, you’ve done something special.”