Offense Defeats Defense, 43-23 at Annual Cherry & White Game

Saturday, April 25

Chodoff Field at Edberg Olson Hall

1:00 p.m.

Temple University

Cherry & White Game

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Offense Defeats Defense, 43-23 at Annual Cherry & White Game

4.25.15 | Football

PHILADELPHIA – The sun was shining on Diamond Street as over 3,000 Temple fans watched the Offensive/White squad defeat the Defensive/Cherry team, 43-23, during the annual Cherry and White Game.

To start the events of the day, four-year old Leah Still and her father, Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Devon Still, were on hand for the ceremonial coin toss. During Leah's cancer treatments at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, her father trained at Edberg Olson Hall, the Temple football facility. Devon is also close friends with Temple defensive line coach Elijah Robinson and head strength coach Jeremy Scott, as both coached Devon during his playing days at Penn State.

The practice started with Rampage drills, which pit an offensive and defensive player against each other, and whoever pushed their opponent back three yards wins the point. The defense prevailed, going up 4-3.

In the field goal competition, the offense came back to take a 7-6 lead after sophomore Austin Jones, junior Jim Cooper, and redshirt-senior Tyler Mayes all made field goals to help the White squad get back into action.

When the game started, junior quarterback P.J. Walker threw a screen pass to Devon Still who handed to Leah. She then took it 45 yards down the sidelines for a touchdown to put the White team up, 14-6.

After Still's touchdown, Walker connected with redshirt-junior WR Samuel Benjamin for a 10-yard score to bring the White team up, 20-6. On the extra point, redshirt-junior DL Praise Martin-Oguike blocked Austin Jones's kick to make the score 20-7 in favor of the offense. The defense followed with two more defensive stops to bring the score to 20-9.

After Lenny Williams found Kip Patton for a 35-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 26-9, the defense started to heat up, as Kareem Ali forced and recovered a fumble to make the score 26-16. Three more defensive stops brought the score up to 26-19.

After a 40-yard touchdown pass from Walker to redshirt-junior WR Romond Deloatch, a one-yard rush by redshirt-junior RB Roy Wesley and two extra-points brought the score to 40-19, the defense again raised its game with four consecutive stops to bring the score up to 40-23. The game ended as Tyler Mayes kicked a 36-yard field goal, making the score 43-23 in favor of the offense.

Five quarterbacks saw action during the day, going 17-36 for 204 yards and three touchdowns. Walker led the group with 99 yards and two touchdowns on seven completions.

Deloatch led the receiving corps with 63-yards on three receptions, while redshirt-freshman Ventell Bryant collected 35 yards on three catches. Wesley led the ground game for the offense, with 48 yards and one touchdown on six carries.

For the defense, redshirt-freshman DB Jyquis Thomas was the leading tackler with six on the day. Nick Sharga registered four tackles and a pass breakup, just one of six on the day. The defense also registered nine sacks.

At halftime, head coach Matt Rhule awarded the annual spring awards. Redshirt-senior DB Will Hayes received the Mark Bresani Award for Spirit, which is awarded to the player who shows the most spirit and enthusiasm towards practice and participation in the football program.

Sharga, a redshirt-sophomore linebacker received the Gavin White Local 215 Award, which is given to the best or most improved non-scholarship player for the spring practice period. Benjamin received the Offensive Most Improved Player Award and Thomas was awarded the Defensive Most Improved Player Award.

The Owls will open their season on September 5 at Lincoln Financial Field against in-state rival Penn State. Season tickets are currently on sale here.

Scoring Plays:
Rampage: Defense 4-3
Field Goals: Offense 4-3
White: P.J. Walker 45-yards to Leah Still, 14-6
White: P.J. Walker 10-yards to Sam Benjamin, 26-6 (Jones kick blocked)
Cherry: Praise Martin-Oguike Blocked Extra Point, 26-7
Cherry: Nate Hairston Defensive Stop, 20-8
Cherry: Praise Martin-Oguike Defensive Stop, 20-9
White: Lenny Williams 35-yards to Kip Patton, 26-9 (Mayes kick no good)
Cherry: Forced fumble and fumble recovery by Kareem Ali, 26-16
Cherry: Todd Jones Defensive Stop, 26-17
Cherry: Defensive Stop, 26-18
Cherry: Nate Hairston Defensive Stop, 26-19
White: P.J. Walker 40-yards to Romond Deloatch, 32-19 (Cooper kick good)
White: Roy Wesley 1-yard run, 39-19 (Jones kick good)
Cherry: Praise Martin-Oguike and Will Hayes Defensive Stop, 40-20
Cherry: Artrel Foster Defensive Stop, 40-21
Cherry: Defensive Stop, 40-22
Cherry: Jarrid Satterfield Defensive Stop, 40-23
White: Tyler Mayes 36-yard field goal, 43-23

Final Stats | Matt Rhule | Photo Gallery | Leah Still's Touchdown