Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE VERSUS CONNECTICUT FOOTBALL GAME NOTES
11.20.01 | 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 20 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 could be found in three places on the Temple depth chart (quarterback, holder, punt returner) much of this season, 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 Special 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.
