Temple football cracks top 25 nationwide

Temple University’s football team is undeniably on the way up.

The 6-0 Owls were ranked in the top 25 of college football teams nationwide for the first time in 36 years, according to the national polls by the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Pollreleased Sunday.

Temple is placed at22in the AP rankings and 24in the Coaches Poll.

Currently, they are off tothe best start in their history with a 6-0 record, which the Owls have only attained three other times,and are now bowl-eligible.

“I’m really proud of our players and it’s a tribute to them that people have noticed how they have played to this point,” Temple head football coach Matt Rhule said in a statement. “I am thrilled that we have been able to get off to a 6-0 start. But I’ll repeat what I have said before, it’s a long season and I’ll be happier if we can finish the year ranked among the best in the country.”

The Owls coaches have credited strong defense, which has allowed just one touchdown in the past three games, with their strong performance.

The last time the Owls were ranked was in 1979, when they had a 10-2 record and went on to beat California in the Garden State Bowl, ending in 17th place.

The Owls will play against East Carolina Thursday.