Temple University Athletics
OWL GRIDDERS FALL TO OREGON STATE
9.5.02 | Football
Temple (1-1) made a valiant effort defensively, but failed to make the big plays when it counted most. A sluggish Owl offense produced just 222 yards on 69 plays and could not score a touchdown against an opportune and athletic OSU defense. Temple managed 18 first downs for the game, but seven of those were courtesy of Beaver penalties. The Owls also committed three turnovers on untimely interceptions.
Conversely, Oregon State (2-0) amassed 428 yards for the game and did not commit a turnover. Sophomore quarterback Derek Anderson completed 33-of-51 passed for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Tailback Steven Jackson, also a sophomore, started slowly but finished with 117 rushing yards on 25 attempts.
Temple held its own in a scoreless first quarter, but Oregon State quickly took the lead in the second period, closing out a 10-play, 67-yard drive on a 15-yard scoring pass from Anderson to James Newson at the 14:53 mark. Although the Temple offense sputtered, the Owls stiffened defensively for the better part of the period. OSU got the ball back with 1:04 remaining in the half and moved 66 yards in 10 plays, to take a 14-0 lead at the break on a three-yard TD pass from Anderson to Newson in the right flat with just 0:08 remaining.
In the second half, the Owls struck first on a 39-yard field goal by Cap Poklemba, which cut the deficit to 14-3 with 8:27 remaining in the third period. Following the kickoff, however, the Beavers drove 80 yards in 12 plays and scored on Anderson's third touchdown pass of the game, a 13-yarder to Cole Clasen. The Owls continued to battle throughout the fourth quarter, and grudgingly gave up a fourth touchdown, when Anderson found Shawn Kitner on a seven-yard TD pass with just 1:37 left on the clock. On the ensuing kickoff, Temple's Makkonen Fenton fumbled at the Owl 20, from where the ball was scooped up and returned for the game's final score by Ryan Kankenberg.
The Owls will open Big East Conference play against defending national champion Miami on Sept. 14 at Franklin Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon.
