The (1-0) Temple Owls, coming off of a season-opening decisive win over the Villanova Wildcats, hosted the (1-0) Maryland Terrapins , (who narrowly edged the William & Mary Tribe in their opener) on Saturday, September 8th at Lincoln Financial Field (12pm start). Last season, Temple beat the Terrapins by a score of 38-7 at Byrd Stadium. Overall, Maryland held a 6-1 series lead heading into the game.
The Owls turned the ball over on its first play from scrimmage when Matt Brown fumbled and Maryland recovered at the Temple 24 yard line. Maryland was unable to take full advantage of the great field position and ended up settling for a 45 yard field goal by Brad Craddock.
On their next possession, the Owls again coughed up the ball, with QB Chris Coyer being the culprit. Maryland’s A. J. Francis recovered the fumble. The Terrapins fumbled the ball right back to Temple’s Olaniyi Adewole, three plays later. Temple took advantage of the Terrapins miscue by converting a 36 yard field goal by Brandon McManus to tie the score at 3-3 at the 6:39 mark of the first quarter.
Maryland regained the lead early in the second quarter when freshman QB Perry Hills hit tight end Matt Furstenburg for a 22 yard touchdown to culminate a seven play, 57 yard drive. The touchdown toss was the first of Hills’ college career. Maryland struck again with 6:19 left in the first half on a 32 yard pass from Hills to wide-out Marcus Leak. Less than a minute later, on a bad snap, Maryland downed Coyer in the end zone for a safety, putting the Terps up 19-3 with 5:30 left in the half. Maryland scored again on an 11 yard run by Hills on a broken play. Hills scooped up a bad snap and ran it in for the touchdown. Following the Craddock extra point, the Terps led 26-3.
Temple had a first half that would give any coach nightmares. The Owls had three fumbles (two recovered by Maryland), a bad snap resulting in a safety, and several costly penalties. Maryland, to its credit, took advantage of most of the Owls mistakes and consequently went to the locker room at the half with a surprising 23 point lead.
the Temple Owls mounted a furious second half rally and came within two points of the Maryland Terrapins 29-27, before succumbing by a final score of 36-27.
With the loss, Temple’s record fell to 1-1. Maryland remains undefeated with the victory and now sits at 2-0 on the season.
Before an announced crowd of 32,709 the local college football season kicked off with the host Temple Owls battering the Villanova Wildcats 41-10 in the fourth annual Mayor’s Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field. The game marked the 33rd meeting all-time between the Owls and the Wildcats. Overall, Villanova held a 16-14-2 edge coming into the game.
Villanova went three and out on the first possession of the game. Temple then marched 78 yards in 14 plays to take an early 6-0 lead. The score came on an 8 yard shovel pass from Chris Coyer to Kenneth Harper. Brian McManus converted the extra point.
On their second possession, the Wildcats drove from their own 12 yard line to the Owls 3 yard line where their drive stalled. Mark Hamilton then kicked a 20 yard field goal to make the score 7-3 with 2:19 left in the opening quarter. The key play in the drive was a 36 yard run by Austin Medley.
The Owls got back on the scoreboard at the 11:24 mark of the second quarter when Vaughn Carraway picked off an errant pass by Chris Polony and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. McManus booted the extra point to make it 14-3 in favor of the Owls. On the very next possession, Villanova’s Kevin Monangai fumbled the ball and Carraway recovered the ball for Temple. Temple scored again three plays later on a 19 yard keeper by Chris Coyer. McManus booted the point after to put the Owls on top 21-3.
Just before the end of the first half, Villanova, showing some new life, drove 69 yards in 7 plays with QB John Robertson running it in for a touchdown from 4 yards out. Mark Hamilton converted the extra point to make the score 21-10. Temple, however, not to be outdone, came right back and scored twenty-one seconds before the end of the first half on a dazzling 56 yard run by Matt Brown (141 rushing yards, TD), effectively taking the wind out of Villanova’s sails. The half ended with Temple leading by a commanding score of 28-10.
Temple wasted no time at the start of the second half, quickly driving 69 yards to score. Kenneth Harper raced 38 yards for the touchdown with 12:19 left in the 3rd quarter to give the Owls a 35-10 lead. It was Harper’s second touchdown of the game.
Temple added to its lead when Matt Brown scampered 45 yards on a punt return to put the Owls deep in Villanova territory. A few plays later, Brandon McManus kicked a 24 yard field goal to make it 38-10. The field goal was McManus’ 47th of his career to set a new Temple record. McManus booted another field goal on the Owls next possession from 31 yards to boost the Owls lead to 41-10.
In the final analysis, Temple, led by running back Matt Brown and QB Chris Coyer was just too quick, too deep, and too determined to be stopped. The Owls, who return to the Big East this season, dominated play on both sides of the ball throughout the game. Villanova tried valiantly to keep pace but just did not have the weapons to do so.
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter was on hand for the coin toss. Many famous alumni from both school also attended the game including Brian Westbrook from Villanova and Bill Cosby from Temple.
Villanova next plays the Fordham Rams at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 8 at Villanova Stadium. Temple will host the Maryland Terrapins at the Linc at noon on the same day.
You can view a full photo gallery of the 2012 Mayor’s Cup below (click thumbnails to enlarge):
Fresh off of their win over 2009 FCS champion Villanova before a crowd of over 32,000 at the Linc on Friday, the Temple Owls were again in action in south Philadelphia tonight as they took on the defending MAC champions, the Chippewas of Central Michigan to open their Mid-Atlantic Conference season. While CMU won the MAC last year, Temple is the favorite this year to win the conference.
Alex SmithTemple Head Coach Al Golden
Central Michigan also came into this match up with a 1-0 record after destroying the Pirates of Hampton 33-0 on September 2nd.
ChippewafenseBernard Pierce After the Carry
With 2009 QB Dan LeFevour in the NFL, the Chippewas have turned to redshirt sophomore Ryan Radcliff to lead the offense.
Ryan Radcliff Set to PassRyan Radcliff Hands Off to Paris Cotton
Temple was lead by QB Chester Stewart and RB Bernard Pierce. Stewart was 16-27 for 200 yards and one touchdown against Villanova. Pierce gained 75 yards on the ground against the Wildcats.
Send in The Band
CMU got the ball to start the game but after driving the ball across midfield they were forced to punt. Pinned back at their own 12 yard line, Temple’s first offensive play was a 56 yard bomb from Chester Stewart to Rod Streater. Already well into Chippewas territory, the Owls couldn’t muster another first down and called upon Brandon McManus to attempt a field-goal. Although McManus was brilliant against Villanova, he couldn’t connect on the 44 yard attempt, pushing it wide right.
Brandon McManus Prepares to Kick
CMU, behind QB Ryan Radcliff and RB Paris Cotton, drove the ball back onto Temple’s side of the field but Radcliff was intercepted by Stephen Johnson at the Owl’s 35 yard line.
The Golden Rule
After a short gain, and incomplete pass, and a 9 yard sack, Temple went three and out and was forced to punt. Central Michigan drove into Temple territory where the Chippewas faced a 4th and 1 at the Owl’s 25 yard line. Cotton took the hand off but lost a yard and the Owl’s took over yet again.
Big MAC
Starting from their own 26, the Owls RB Bernard Pierce carried several times and Stewart connected with WR’s Delano Green, and Joe Jones to reach the Chippewas doorstep. On the 6 yard line, Streater was called for an illegal block in the back that moved Temple back to the 21. On 3rd and 18 Stewart couldn’t connect with Michael Campbell and McManus was brought in to attempt his second field goal.
Tahir Whitehead
Again McManus missed the kick attempt (this time wide left) from 38 yards.
Temple Cheerleaders 2
CMU took over at their own 21 but found themselves facing a 4th down six plays later after several incomplete passes from Ryan Radcliff. Punter Brett Hartmann connected on a 44 yard punt which Delano Green returned for 13 yards.
Ryan Radcliff Hands Off to Paris Cotton
With the game still scoreless at the 5:38 mark, Temple started a drive from the 31 yard line. Matt Brown rushed the ball twice to bring up a 3rd and 1. Pierce then got the call and broke off a 24 yard run to bring the Owls to the CMU 36. After several rush attempts and a nine yard pass from Stewart to Campbell, the Owls had a 1st and 10 at the 15 yard line. A six yard run (Pierce) and a 5 yard penalty later, Temple had a 1st and goal at the 4. Pierce took the hand-off into the end-zone to break the nothing-nothing stalemate.
Elijah Joseph Making a Tackle
McManus hit the extra point. Radcliff rushed for 9 yards to open CMU’s drive followed by a completed 5 yard pass. With another first down he hit Cody Wilson for a 21 yard gain but Temple CB Kee-Ayre Griffin forced a fumble which Jaiquawn Jarrett retuned 28 yards to the CMU 20.
Jaiquawn Jarrett Returning an Interception
On the Owl’s first play Stewart was sacked and fumbled the ball and Sean Murnane recovered it for the Chippewas. Radcliff was then sacked for a loss of 10 by Muhammad Wilkerson and the clock expired. Temple went into the locker room up 7-0.
Temple Baskeball Coach Fran Dunphy
The Owls began the second half with a quick first down but then went three and out and were forced to punt. CMU returned the favor with a three and out of their own and Temple got the ball back.
Michael Campbell
With the ball on their own 49, Temple again went three and out and were unable to do anything with the great field position. They punted and CMU took over at the 18 yard line.
Paris Cotton
Radcliff started off the drive with a strike to TE David Blackburn to break the run of three and outs. After a failed rushing attempt by CMU, Radcliff hit Cody Wilson for a 70 yard strike and he was tackled at the 1 yard line. Paris Cotton took the ball at the Temple 1 and rushed into the end zone. After the extra point connected, the game was tied 7-7 with 7:45 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Game of Inches
Feeling the pressure, Temple drove the ball from their own 20 to the CMU 14 on a fourteen play drive. That set up another field goal attempt for McManus who was finally able to connect from 31 yards to give the Owls back the lead at 10-7.
Heisman Hopeful Bernard Pierce
During the 3rd quarter Temple RB Bernard Pierce appeared to injure his hand and left the game. He did not return.
Paul Mudgett
CMU began a long drive at the end of the 3rd quarter which ended in the 4th quarter when their kicker Paul Mudgett missed a 27 yard chip-shot FG.
Feeling Down & 10 to Go
Temple reverted back to their three and out ways (along with two penalties) and the Chippewas quickly got the ball back. CMU put together a lengthy fifteen play, 66 yard drive which set up another FG attempt. This time, using PK David Harmon, Central Michigan connected and the game was tied with just over a minute to play.
Hooter
Just as they had against Villanova, Temple had the ball late in the game with a chance to win it, but on the fourth play of the drive Stewart was sacked by Kashawn Fraser and fumbled the ball. CMU nose-tackle John Williams recovered the ball.
Painted Owls
With 35 seconds remaining, the Chippewas took over at the Temple 35 yard line. After a gain of three yards on their first play, Temple’s Muhammad Wilkerson forced a fumble that was recovered by CMU as time expired. The game moved to over-time where Temple won the coss toss and elected to play defense.
Jahleel Addae
The Chippewas got the ball and quickly faced a 3rd and 5. Radcliff completed a five yard pass to give CMU a first down. On the next series, Radcliff was intercepted in the end zone by Owl’s DB Griffen.
Owls on Offense
As is customary in college football, Temple took over from the CMU 25 yard line with a chance to win the game. Matt Brown carried for 3 yards on 1st down, and 4 yards on 2nd down. Brown again carried on 3rd down and picked up 3 yards for an Owl’s 1st down. Now on the 15 yard line, Brown got his fourth and fifth consecutive carries and rushed for 2 yards on two plays. Temple called timeout as they prepared for a McManus 30 yard FG attempt on 3rd down. CMU then called a timeout of its own in an attempt to ice McManus.
Temple Cheerleaders
It did not work. McManus was again the hero for Temple as they downed Central Michigan 13-10 in OT. Temple is 2-0 for the first time since 1981. The Owls next game is September 18th (at home) vs. the Huskies of UCONN.
For expanded photo coverage check out our Photo Gallery of the game:
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