Temple University Athletics
OWLS MEET HUSKIES IN FOOTBALL SEASON FINALE
11.19.01 | Football
Saturday's game was originally scheduled to take place on September 15, but was postponed due to the terrorist attacks of September 11. The game also marks the Owls' annual "Senior Day," as 19 departing seniors will dress in Cherry & White for the final time. Prior to the contest, the Temple University Department of Athletics will recognize theses seniors for their contributions to the University both on the field and in the classroom.
The Owls are coming off a 17-14 win at West Virginia last Saturday. With starting quarterback Mike McGann sidelined with a sprained thumb, senior Mac DeVito made his third career start in the Owls' final Big East Conference contest of the season. Behind the gritty play of DeVito, the performance of an always tough defense and an energized Tanardo Sharps, Temple defeated the Mountaineers for the first time since 1984 to end a 10 game losing streak to WVU. The Mountaineers had won 14 of the prior 15 contests. The victory was the Owls' first in Morgantown, W.Va. since 1979.
DeVito, whose name can be found in three places on the Temple depth chart, now has a 2-1 record in games he has started under center.
"It was a much needed win for our program," said head coach Bobby Wallace. "I can't rank the biggest wins in my career, but this may have been one of the most needed wins we've ever had."
Sharps had his eighth career 100-yard rushing game and second against West Virginia, carrying 22 times for a season-high 172 yards (7.8 avg.). The junior had 42-yard and 37-yard runs and gained 123 of his yards in the second half on 13 carries. Defensively, Chonn Lacey had 11 tackles (10 solo), two interceptions and a forced fumble. The senior picked off Rasheed Marshall at the conclusion of the first half on a Hail Mary pass before shutting the door on the Mountaineers by intercepting Marshall again at the WVU 33-yard line with 1:29 remaining. On special teams, Cap Poklemba scored nine points, connecting on field goals of 33, 30 and 35 yards, including the game winner with 9:58 remaining.
On Monday, the Big East Conference recognized the efforts of both Lacey and Poklemba. Lacey was named the league's co-defensive player of the week with Virginia Tech linebacker Ben Taylor. Poklemba was cited as the Big East Conference Speciaa Teams Player of the Week.
Another notable performance belonged to center Donny Klein, who did not dress for the game due to an injured shoulder. With the Owls trailing 7-3 at halftime, however, the junior put on the pads and played the majority of the second half.
Connecticut, playing its second season as an independent at the Division I-A level, has suffered five straight defeats since its last win, a 19-0 victory over Eastern Washington on October 6. The Huskies have played two other Big East schools, losing 52-10 at Virginia Tech on September 1 before wining at Rutgers, 20-19, on September 29. Last Saturday, UConn dropped a 38-13 decision at Middle Tennessee. Starting quarterback Dan Orlovsky was forced to leave the game with a bruised left clavicle and starting running back Chandler Poole exited with a sprained left ankle. Orlovsky was injured in the second quarter but returned in the fourth to spell Keron Henry, who sustained an injury to his left knee.
The first 2,500 youngsters ages 14 and under coming through the gates at Saturday's game receive a free "Hooter" bobble-head doll courtesy of Pepsi. Bobble-heads can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, when waggle-headed dolls made of paper mache were popular items in stadium gift shops. Bobble-heads have nostalgic appeal, limited edition status and tremendous collectible value.
THE SERIES: Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting between the teams with Temple holding a 5-1 advantage. The last game was played in Storrs, Conn., in 1971 and saw Paul Loughran and Tom Sloan each rush for two touchdowns as Temple romped, 38-0. The first meeting in the series was a 9-7 Owl victory at Temple Stadium in 1963. Other games in the series include a 25-7 Huskies' victory at Connecticut in 1964, a 21-11 Temple win on the road in 1965, a 35-25 Owl victory at Temple Stadium in 1966 and a 41-23 Cherry & White win at home in 1970.
SERIES HIGHS
Temple:
Passing: Doug Shobert, 15-17-0-187, 1 TD (1971)
Rushing: Vic Amoruso, 18-137, 1 TD (1970)
Receiving: Dave Fecak, 4-99 (1963)
Connecticut:
Passing: Rick Robustelli 17-39-281, 2 TDs (1970)
Rushing: Paul Gruner, 13-58 (1966)
Receiving: Keith Kraham, 6-155, 1 TD (1970)
TEMPLE-CONNECTICUT CONNECTIONS
For the Owls:
Temple has two players from Connecticut. Quarterback Mac DeVito is from Westport (Staples HS) and offensive guard Julian Scott is from Hartford (Weaver HS).
For the Huskies:
Connecticut has 17 players from Pennsylvania. Defensive lineman Ken Wilson is from Philadelphia and played at St. Joseph's Prep. Defensive lineman Ken Fox is from Plymouth Meeting (Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS), offensive lineman Ed Inaychock is from Willow Grove (Academy of the New Church), defensive lineman Matt Jackson is from West Chester (West Chester HS) and linebacker Kamari Stroman is from Norristown (Conestoga HS). UConn also has 10 players from New Jersey. Locally, defensive back Keith Harrison is from Camden (Woodrow Wilson HS), offensive lineman Brendan Borowski is from Cherry Hill (Cherry Hill East), linebacker Jamal Lundy is from Burlington (Florence HS) and defensive lineman Warren Spivey is from Willingboro (St. Joseph's Prep).
The Coaches:
Temple outside linebackers coach Spencer Prescott was the running backs coach at Connecticut from 1994-98 and Temple defensive backs coach Nick Rapone was the Huskies' defensive coordinator from 1995-98.
Temple defensive line coach John Reagan and Connecticut running backs coach Terry Richardson were teammates at Syracuse, both lettering from 1991-93. Reagan started at center for the Orangemen while Richardson started at running back. Reagan also has a connection with UConn inside linebackers coach Todd Orlando. Orlando served as inside linebackers coach at Penn in 1997 while Reagan tutored the Quakers' tight ends and offensive tackles.
Connecticut defensive line coach Hank Hughes was the defensive line coach at Springfield (Mass.) College in 1980 while Temple offensive coordinator Charlie Fisher was the starting quarterback for the Pride. The two were also teammates at Springfield. Fisher also has a connection with UConn defensive coordinator Kent Briggs. Fisher and Briggs were assistant coaches at North Carolina State from 1998-99. Fisher coached the wide receivers and Briggs served as co-defensive coordinator.
