Temple University Athletics
OWLS MEET EAGLES IN A BIG EAST BATTLE OF THE BIRDS TO CONCLUDE 2002 SEASON
11.18.02 | Football
The Owls are coming off a 20-17 victory over Rutgers in rain-soaked Piscataway, N.J. last Saturday. Cap Poklemba booted a 22-yard field goal with 39 seconds remaining to give Temple its fourth straight win over the Scarlet Knights. Senior Tanardo Sharps set a school and Big East record with 48 carries en route to 215 yards and a TD. Sharps currently ranks 20th among all Division I-A rushers with a 113.1 rushing YPG average. Temple, currently ranked 22nd nationally in total defense, limited Rutgers to 142 total net yards and negative 13 yards rushing while making a season-high nine QB sacks. Three players had multiple sack efforts, with Dan Klecko, Tyrone Ditzel and Taso Apostolidis each pulling down Rutgers signal-caller Ryan Hart twice. Klecko now has nine sacks on the season and 25 in his career.
Sean Dillard made two catches at Rutgers to total 125 for his career. He needs two more receptions to surpass Gerald Lucear (126, 1978-81) and set a new TU career reception mark.
On Monday, three Owls earned Big East Player of The Week honors for their performances against Rutgers. Sharps was cited as Co-Offensive Player of the Week, with BC RB Derrick Knight, to capture his third career weekly league accolade. CB Terrance Leftwich earned co-defensive honors, with BC DB Ralph Parent, after making six tackles (five solo), including one TFL, one interception, three PBUs and a fumble recovery. Poklemba captured his second career special teams weekly award.
The Eagles are coming off 41-20 victory over Syracuse in Chestnut Hill, Mass. last Saturday. Junior Derrick Knight rushed for a career-high 171 yards and two TDs as BC recorded 511 yards of total offense to earn its first league win of the season. The Eagles rank seventh nationally in pass defense, allowing just 158.90 passing YPG. The Eagles' four losses this season have come against opponents that have a combined record of 32-7
The home team has won each of the last six contests between the Owls and Eagles.
