Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE LOSES TO VIRGINIA TECH, 35-0, IN BIG EAST FOOTBALL CONTEST
11.10.01 | Football
Temple (2-7, 1-5 Big East) has just two games remaining in the season, as the Owls travel for their final Big East tilt at West Virginia next Saturday before closing out with a non-conference game against Connecticut at Franklin Field on Nov. 24. The UConn game is a make-up of a Sept. 15 contest that was postponed due to the national terrorist attack of Sept. 11. Virginia Tech (7-2, 4-2), once the fourth-ranked team in the country, got back on the winning track after successive conference losses to Syracuse and Pittsburgh.
The Owls started well, taking the opening kickoff and moving to the Virginia Tech 36 yard-line on a 31-yard run by tailback Tanardo Sharps. But three successive incomplete passes stalled the drive and Temple came up empty. On the ensuing possession, Tech's first of the game, Chonn Lacey came up with a big interception to set the Owls up at the Hokie 25. But on second and four at the 19, Mike McGann's roll-out pass was intercepted at the eight by Tech's DeAngelo Hall, ending another threat for Temple. The Owl defense produced another stop, but a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth and four from the Hokie 14 changed the field position to Virginia Tech's favor.
Following an exchange of punts, Virginia Tech finally broke the scoreless tie on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Noel Grant to Andre Davis. Carter Warley's first of five extra-point kicks made it 7-0. In the second quarter, Temple punter Jace Amore fumbled a snap deep in his own territory that was recovered by the Hokies' Larry Austin at the Owl 11. On first down from there, freshman Kevin Jones, a product of Chester, PA and Cardinal O'Hara High School, ran it in for a 14-0 Virginia Tech lead that remained until the half.
Temple coach Bobby Wallace opted for senior quarterback Mack DeVito in the second half, but Virginia Tech dominated play. On the Hokies second possession, Jones broke the game open with a sensational 87-yard touchdown burst off the right side that marked the program's fourth longest run from scrimmage since 1950 and was the longest in school history for a true freshman. It was also the longest play from scrimmage of the year for the Hokies. Later in the period, Tech drove 45 yards in six plays for a 28-0 lead, as Jarrett Ferguson went the final yard. The Hokies capped off the scoring for the day with 8:26 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Noel to Ernest Wilford.
For the game, Temple managed just 237 yards of total offense and suffered six turnovers, four on pass interceptions and two on fumbles. Sharps, who started with so much promise, ended up as the Owls top ground gainer with 46 yards on seven carries. Sean Dillard caught five passes for 47 yards and Greg Muckerson grabbed four for 73. DeVito completed 11-of-34 passes for 152 yards and was intercepted twice. For the Hokies, Jones rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start, while Noel had an efficient day passing, completing 11-of-15 aerials for 134 yards and two TDs. The Hokies finished with 359 total yards.
