Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE FOOTBALL WEEK FIVE: OWLS PREPARE TO BATTLE BEARCATS AT FRANKLIN FIELD
9.23.02 | Football
The Owls suffered a 42-21 loss to Lou Holtz' Gamecocks before 81,409 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. It was the largest crowd a Temple team had played in front of since 96,735 fans saw the Owls play Penn State at Beaver Stadium in 1997. The Owls held a 341-298 advantage in total yards Saturday night, including a 196-99 edge in rushing yardage. Temple senior RB Tanardo Sharps gained 143 yards on 21 carries in the first half but sustained a mouth injury in the half's final offensive series. Sharps could not wear his mouthpiece after the injury and did not play in the second half. Prior to the injury, Sharps was averaging 6.8 yards-per-carry. The Owls finished the game with a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. In addition to Sharps, two of the Owls' top offensive playmakers, Sean Dillard (knee) and Makonnen Fenton (ankle), were sidelined with injuries.
The Owls have lost three straight games to national championship-winning head coaches (Oregon State's Dennis Erickson, Miami's Larry Coker and Holtz) after a season-opening victory over Richmond on August 29.
The Bearcats dropped a 24-19 decision to No. 6-ranked Ohio State at Paul Brown Stadium. There were 66,319 fans were on hand, the largest crowd to ever watch a football game in Cincinnati. Sophomore QB Gino Guidugli completed 26 of 52 passes for 324 yards and a TD in the losing effort. Guidugli led the Bearcats to the OSU 15-yard line with about a minute to play in the game. UC had four shots at the end zone. Two potential game winning passes were dropped. On fourth down, the Buckeyes intercepted a deflected pass to escape with the victory. Cincinnati has lost two straight after a season opening, come-from-behind win over Texas Christian at home. This is UC's second game against a Big East team this season. The Bearcats lost a 35-32 decision at home to West Virginia on Sept. 14.
