Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE TAKES FLIGHT FOR MIAMI TO MEET THE NO. 2-RANKED HURRICANES
10.13.03 | Football
Temple and Miami are meeting for the 13th time in a series that dates back to 1930, with Miami holding an 11-1 advantage, including 11 straight the past 11 years. In the last two encounters, the Hurricanes were the consensus No. 1-ranked team in the nation.
Bobby Wallace heads to the sunshine state seeking his 100th career head coaching victory. This past Sunday, it was announced by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame that he will be enshrined as a member of the 2004 football class, along with former Crimson Tide players Cornelius Bennett and Bobby Humphrey. The induction banquet will take place in Birmingham on Saturday, May 15.
TU's passing attack is tops in the Conference and 26th nationally with 274.2 yards per game and boasts two of the country's top performers in WR Zamir Cobb and QB Mike McGann. Cobb ranks tied for 17th among all Div. I-A players with 96.7 receiving yards per game and is tied for eighth with 7.33 catches per contest. He is also among the nation's leaders in all-purpose running (37th, 125.33) and punt returns (22nd, 13.36). McGann ranks 40th nationally in total offense, generating 229.5 yards per game. Kick returner Jamil Porter is also among the Div. I-A's best, ranking 17th in kickoff returns with a 26.15 avg.
Cobb became Temple's all-time reception leader last Saturday against BC, catching six passes for 44 yards to accumulate 135 career grabs, surpassing Sean Dillard (130, 1999-02) in the Owl annals.
Defensively the Owls lead the Big East with 15 sacks. LB Rian Wallace ranks seventh nationally in solo tackles (8.83 avg.), is tied for 10th in total tackles (12.33 avg.) and is tied for 17th in TFLs (1.67 avg.)
Temple is coming off a 38-13 loss to Boston College at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles generated 648 total net yards and jumped-out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. QB Walter Washington threw two second- half TD passes to WR Phil Goodman to reduce the deficit.
Miami is fresh from a 22-14 win at Florida State last Saturday. TE Kellen Winslow had seven catches for 106 yards and FS Sean Taylor made two INTs, returning one 50 yards for a score. The Hurricanes lead the Big East and rank 24th nationally in pass defense, allowing 186.67 yard per game. Miami's special teams are also ranked high, placing sixth in punt return yards (16.25) and third in kickoff returns (27.28). UM has allowed only three quarterback sacks this season.
