The #22 / 24 Temple Owls scored two touchdowns in a 73 second span in the fourth quarter to erase a three-point deficit and remain undefeated. The Owls are to 7 – 0 for the season and the first time in school history with a 24 – 14 over the East Carolina Pirates in Greenville, NC.
With just under 6 minutes to play in the fourth quarter Temple trained ECU 14 – 10, and the Owls faced losing for the first time this season. The Cherry and White responded by going on a 7 play, 71 yard drive that culminated with a 23 yard touchdown pass from quarterback P.J. Walker to wide receiver Robby Anderson with 3:31 to play.
On the ensuing possession Temple forced an ECU punt that was blocked by Sharif Finch and recovered by Ventell Bryant. The Owls took over at the Pirates 15 yard line. Two plays later running back Jahad Thomas scampered 14 yards for the score with 2:18 on the clock. The 73 second span turned the game around for the Cherry and White.
Thomas scored a touchdown late in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 14 – 10 at halftime. Thomas ran for 66 yards for the game. ECU took the lead with 18 seconds to play on a 7-yard touchdown reception by Quay Johnson from Blake Kemp. Those would be the last points the Pirates would put on the board.
The Temple defense held another team scoreless in the second half. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich led the team with – tackles and has 420 in his career. Matakevich also intercepted a pass.
East Carolina out-gained Temple by a 378 – 322 margin. Walker completed 19 of 35 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. He was not intercepted. Anderson was on the receiving end of those completions 8 times for 126 yards.
Kemp went 31 for 48 passes for the Pirates gaining 272 yards. The quarterback had a touchdown and an interception. Isiah Jones caught 10 passes for 106 yards. Running back Chris Hairston gained 65 yards on teh ground.
Temple (7 – 0, 4 – 0) survive and look forward to a Halloween ABC nationally televised game vs. #10 / 11 Notre Dame at the Linc.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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