injuries
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The good news is that Thursday was Temple’s first bad practice
- In his August 27 preseason update, Temple coach K.C. Keeler said neither Jaxon Smolik nor Ajani Sheppard had separated in the quarterback competition and that both could play against Rhode Island; this was not a confirmed two-quarterback plan.
- Keeler attributed the quarterbacks' early camp struggles to strong defensive-line play and tighter coverage, then reported improving quarterback rhythm as Temple's offensive line developed.
- As of August 27, starting right tackle Kevin Terry had resumed limited-contact practice after an apparent scrimmage injury, and Keeler expected him back for Temple's season opener.
- Zach Aamland played well after moving from backup guard to starting tackle during Terry's absence, earning a place in Temple's planned seven-man offensive-line rotation regardless of Terry's return.
- Luke Watson's first-week camp knee injury was not considered season-ending, but his return timetable remained uncertain in the August 27 report.
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Walker talks QB race, highs and lows from Saturday’s scrimmage
- Temple's starting-quarterback competition remained unsettled after the second scrimmage: Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard continued splitting first-team periods, and the staff was considering using both early in the season.
- Keveun Mason opened the scrimmage with a 75-yard touchdown, but Temple's offense finished 82 plays with 402 yards and only one additional touchdown.
- Sheppard completed 25 of 35 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns across Temple's two scrimmages, showing markedly better efficiency than he did in spring work.
- The offense still needed to improve ball security and pre-snap operation after penalties and quarterback-caused sacks surfaced in the second scrimmage.
- RB Sam Brown was considered available despite limited work, but right tackle Kevin Terry was banged up and Luke Watson remained sidelined by a knee injury, leaving Zach Aamland to take right-tackle reps.
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Mason’s run highlights block party in Temple’s second scrimmage
- Keveun Mason scored on a 75-yard run on the opening play of Temple's second scrimmage, but the offense produced only one more touchdown over the remaining 82 plays.
- Ajani Sheppard completed 13 of 19 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Jaxon Smolik went 9 of 16 for 77 yards; the two quarterbacks split work behind the first-team line after Smolik took all first-team reps in the first scrimmage.
- Temple's defense improved after allowing four touchdowns in the first scrimmage, with Jaylon Joseph, Kevin Hornbeak and JaMair Diaz recording sacks and Joseph also batting down a pass.
- Kicker Carl Hardin made from 55 yards, but Temple had two field-goal attempts blocked, including Hardin's 57-yard try and Luke Cochrane's 37-yard attempt.
- Sam Brown, Rameir Hardy, Reis Stocksdale, Luke Watson, Jayvant Brown and Jett White were held out; Watson was the only player in that group expected to remain sidelined for an extended period.
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