Sheppard solidifies hold on Temple quarterback role
Ajani Sheppard has taken over as Temple's starting quarterback after Jaxon Smolik's foot injury. In his second start, Sheppard directed a 96-yard scoring drive and ran 34 yards for the decisive touchdown in a 17-13 win over USF. The victory snapped Temple's three-game skid and marked Sheppard's first win in a starting role.
Ajani Sheppard, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior from the Bronx, stepped in after Jaxon Smolik hurt his foot at Toledo on Sept. 19. Across three games with substantial snaps, Sheppard has thrown for 621 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 234 yards and three scores. His only giveaway was a fumble versus USF.
Temple's 17-13 defeat of previously unbeaten USF halted a skid of three straight losses and delivered Sheppard's initial victory in a starting role. A 96-yard march ended with his 34-yard scoring run. He has found Colin Chase, Jojo Bermudez and Sam Brown, among others.
Sheppard's emergence may give Temple students, alumni and local fans a reason for renewed optimism after a difficult stretch. A quarterback change can shape team momentum, media attention and campus identity, while his resilience after mistakes could resonate with young athletes learning to handle setbacks. For Sheppard, continued success could affect his standing within the program and future opportunities, though one win does not guarantee lasting results.