Temple University Athletics
OWLS SET TO BATTLE BEAVERS AT FRANKLIN FIELD
9.1.02 | Football
Thursday's game will mark the first of three straight games for the Owls against national-championship winning head coaches. After Erickson (1989 and 1991, Miami), the Owls battle defending national champion Miami and head coach Larry Coker before landing in Columbia, South Carolina to meet the Gamecocks' Lou Holtz (1988, Notre Dame).
The Owls' win over Richmond, combined with two victories to conclude the 2001 campaign, gives Temple its first three-game win streak since 1990. The Owls entered Spider territory on each of their 15 possessions but struggled in the red zone, scoring three times for a total of 17 points on eight trips inside the 20. Temple superback Tanardo Sharps had his tenth career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 121 yards on 30 carries. The senior had 118 yards on 24 carries in the first half. The Owls have an 8-2 record in games in which Sharps rushes for 100 yards or more. Wide receiver Zamir Cobb caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Mike McGann to supplement Temple's new, no-huddle spread offense that generated 379 total net yards. Senior defensive lineman and All-America candidate Dan Klecko dressed but did not play in the game due to a sprained right ankle. Senior Tyrone Ditzel made a game-high 10 tackles (seven solo) and recovered two fumbles starting in his absence. Klecko is expected back at full speed for Thursday's game.
