Temple Owls Use Eagles' 'Tush Push' For Touchdown

The Temple Owls used the Philadelphia Eagles' signature play in their win over Norfolk State.

The Temple Owls used the Philadelphia Eagles' signature play, the 'Tush Push' in their 41-9 win over Norfolk State on Saturday.

On 2nd and Goal, Temple's backup quarterback Quincy Patterson lined up under center with a player flanking him on each hip and a player in the backfield, the same formation that the Eagles and their star quarterback Jalen Hurts use.

Patterson took the snap and pushed forward toward the end zone. His offensive lineman and pushers helped him bulldoze over the Norfolk State defense for a touchdown to put the Owls up 14-0 in the first quarter. 

"They're running the Hurts push," one of the announcers said as Patterson barreled into the end zone. 

The play became synonymous with the Eagles last season when they used the formation 41 times, converting 37 into first downs or touchdowns. Hurts has already rushed for two touchdowns and multiple first downs using the "Tush Push," with both coming in a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2. 

The team had so much success using the play in 2022 that some coaches tried to make the play illegal instead of trying to find a way to stop it. 

Both the Eagles and Temple play their games at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia outside linebacker Haason Reddick, linebacker Shaun Bradley and defensive coordinator Sean Desai both attended Temple University as well. 

The Owls' next game will be at home on Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. against the University of Miami. The Eagles will be back in action two days later on Sept. 25 at 7:15 p.m. for Monday Night Football at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.