Temple University Athletics
CHECK THE SPREAD - OWLS PREPARE TO MEET THE MOUNTAINEERS
10.28.02 | Football
Saturday's game could be deemed the "Battle of the Backs." WVU RB Avon Cobourne ranks second nationally with 147.13 rushing YPG and is first in the Big East record books with 25 100-yard games to his credit. Temple RB Tanardo Sharps ranks 21st nationally with 114.38 rushing YPG and is sixth in the conference annals with 14 career 100-yard games.
Temple entered Lane Stadium last Saturday intent on stopping the Hokies' explosive backfield tandem of Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones. The Owls were successful, limiting Suggs to a career-low 47 yards on 19 carries (2.5 avg.) and Jones to 72 yards on 17 rushing attempts (4.2 avg.). The TU defense kept the contest close, forcing two fumbles and making two INTs. Unfortunately, the Temple rushing attack was unable to establish itself against the country's top-ranked rushing defense, gaining only 39 yards.
Temple battled hammer and tong with the Hokies but costly miscues led to 10 Tech points and squashed a good scoring opportunity. Punter Garvin Ringwelski mishandled a second-quarter snap that was recovered at the TU 28-yard line leading to a Tech FG. Although the Temple defense kept the Hokies out of the end zone, senior All-America candidate Dan Klecko sustained a neck injury during the series and was sidelined for the remainder of the contest. Midway through the third quarter, DeAngelo Hall intercepted a Mike McGann pass at the TU 41-yard line. Two plays later, Bryan Randall hit Doug Easlick on a 32-yard toss to give the Hokies a 17-3 advantage. Early in the fourth stanza, faced with a 20-3 deficit, Temple drove 84 yards on 11 plays and faced a first-and-goal at the home five. On a second down play, Vincent Fuller picked off a McGann aerial in the end zone to complete the error hat-trick that led to a potential 17-point swing.
WVU, led by a 175-yard rushing outing by Cobourne, looked to have the nation's No. 1 team on shaky ground last Saturday. WVU gained 363 total net rushing yards and trailed Miami 24-23 late in the third quarter before the 'Canes scored 16 straight points to win the game going away. Heisman trophy candidate Ken Dorsey completed 22 of 36 passes for 422 yards and two TDs to pace a Miami offense that generated 524 total net yards.
