Temple University Athletics
OWLS FALL TO GAMECOCKS, 42-21
9.21.02 | Football
In the first quarter Temple (1-3) provided some anxious moments for the partisan throng, including a successful surprise on-sides kick to open the contest. Three Tanardo Sharps runs took the Owls to the Gamecock 33 and the Owls were off to an impressive start. But on the next play, a Mike McGann pass that went through the outstretched hands of Sean Szarka and was intercepted South Carolina's Deandre Eiland, who returned it 69 yards for the game's first touchdown.
The Owls answered right back on the ensuing possession. Szarka returned the kickoff 35 yards to the Temple 35, from where McGann directed an efficient six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive, capped by a sensational 32-yard touchdown run by Sharps. South Carolina (2-2) countered with an 11-play, 80-yard march, in which Jenkins completed five-of-five passes for 55 yards and went the final yard himself for a 14-7 Gamecock lead at the 5:47 mark. The Owls battled right back, driving 80 yards in just five plays to tie the game at 14-14 on a 12-yard McGann-to-Zamir Cobb touchdown pass with 4:08 left in the period. The key play was another bolt by Sharps, who went 39 yards to the Gamecock 12 to set up the touchdown.
Costly errors severely damaged Temple's chances of an upset in the second quarter and ultimately were the determining factor in the contest. On a 4th-and-13 from the Owl 37 at the 11:31 mark, Garvin Ringwelski's punt had the Gamecocks pinned back to their own 21. But a holding penalty on the Owls forced the punt from 10-yards back and the result was a South Carolina possession at the Temple 49. Five plays later, including a 24-yard strike from Jenkins to Mikal Goodman at the Temple two, Ryan Brewer scored over right tackle for a 21-14 South Carolina lead.
On the following possession, McGann's sideline pass was intercepted by Dunta Robinson, who returned it to the Owl six-yard line. Jenkins then lobbed a one-yard touchdown pass in the right flat to Daccus Turman and a 28-14 advantage. Temple's final possession in the half ended after an 18-play, 65-yard march to the South Carolina 15, where Cap Poklemba's 32-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
South Carolina pulled away in the second half. Jenkins connected with Troy Williamson for a 24-yard touchdown pass at the 10:12 mark of the third quarter for a commanding 35-14 leaad. Jenkins was at it again just four minutes later, as he scampered seven yards around left end for the Gamecocks' final score and a 42-14 lead with 5:57 remaining in the third period. Mike Frost replace McGann at the Temple controls in the final period, and led the Owls on a 17-play, 98-yard drive that culminated with a four-yard touchdown pass to Cobb wwith 4:35 remaining on the clock.
For Temple, Sharps finished over the 100-yard mark (144 on 21 carries) for the second time this season and the 11th time in his Owl career. Sharps accumulated all of his yardage in the first half. After sustaining a broken tooth on Temple's final drive of the first half, Sharps was unable to wear his mouthpiece and did not return in the second half.
McGann completed 9-of-23 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted twice, both of which led to South Carolina scores. The Owls finished with 341 yards and 22 first downs, but the two interceptions and eight penalties for 69 yards proved costly. Temple returns to Franklin Field next Saturday for a non-conference match with visiting Cincinnati.
