Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE'S FOURTH QUARTER COMEBACK ATTEMPT FALLS SHORT IN SECOND-STRAIGHT LOSS TO RANKED OPPONENT
11.22.03 | Football
Zamir Cobb caught two passes in the first quarter to become Temple's all-time single-season reception leader, surpassing Clint Graves' mark of 63 catches set in 1972. Cobb finished the afternoon with eight receptions for 92 yards, bumping his season-total to 71 catches.
In his fourth start of the season, sophomore Walter Washington passed for a career-high 278 yards on 24-of-40 attempts. He also finished as Temple's leading rusher for the fourth straight game, finishing with 26 carries for 72 yards.
Heisman Trophy candidate Larry Fitzgerald scored two touchdowns on the afternoon, tallying 102 yards on seven catches. The sophomore, whose 10 games with 100 yards receiving this season put him one off the NCAA mark, has now caught a touchdown pass in an NCAA-record 17 straight games. Brandon Miree punched in a pair of rushing scores as he marched to 188 yards on the ground.
Washington, who last week became the first quarterback in school history to rush for 100 yards in a game, picked up where he left off, taking on four tacklers for an eight-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. The Owls struggled to advance the ball further, though, as their first five possessions resulted in punts.
On a third-and-eight play in Pittsburgh's second possession, Temple defensive back Mike Holley had a chance at an interception, but deflected the ball into tight end Kris Wilson's hands for a 26-yard gain. Miree punched in his first touchdown of the afternoon on the next play, scoring from seven yards out.
A leaping, 43-yard grab by Fitzgerald highlighted Pittsburgh's next drive as Miree again scored on a two-yard burst.
Pittsburgh punter Andy Lee nailed Temple inside the 10-yard line midway through the second quarter, setting the stage for Temple's longest drive of the half. After running for consecutive first-downs, Washington found Cobb deep in Pittsburgh territory for the duo's fifth connection of the afternoon. Jared Davis kicked a 26-yard field goal after Temple failed to reach the end zone on three tries from the red zone.
With less than three minutes before intermission, Miree took off up the middle and -- despite losing his shoe at midfield -- scampered to Temple's seven yard-line for a 76-yard gain. Rutherford then hit his main target for a seven-yard touchdown to give the Panthers a 21-3 advantage. The play extended Fitzgerald's NCAA record of consecutive games with a touchdown reception to 17.
After a 52-yard boot by Lee on Pittsburgh's first possession of the third quarter, Cobb raced up the sideline for a 39-yard return, but the Cherry & White offense stalled again. Mike McLaughlin's eighth punt of the afternoon landed at the 27 yard-line after Claude Harriott broke through the line for a blocked kick.
Four plays later, Pete McBride stepped in front of Fitzgerald for an interception to end Pittsburgh's drive. Washington's first mistake came at an inopportune time, however, as J.J. Horne intercepted his pass at the 14 yard-line.
Washington, who directed the Owls to a 17-point comeback in the fourth quarter last week to force overtime against No. 12 Virginia Tech, attempted to revisit the heroics early in the fourth quarter. Last year's Junior College All-American tandem connected as Washington found Goodman for a 24-yard touchdown that cut the Panthers lead to 21-10.
On the next possession, Washington sprinted up the middle for a 13-yard touchdown, culminating an 11-play, 84-yard drive. The Owls trailed 21-16 after a failed two-point conversion.
A big third-down stand by All-Big East candidate Rian Wallace - who recorded 15 tackles - and J.D. Stanley stopped Miree inches shy of the first-down marker at midfield on Pittsburgh's next attempt. Pitt coach Walt Harris kept the offense on the field, however, and Miree took a fourth-down pitch to the right side to move the chains. Fitzgerald then soared over two Owl defenders for a 33-yard gain. Two plays later, Rutherford and Fitzgerald came together for their second touchdown, ending the Cherry & White's upset hopes.
Temple wraps-up its 2003 campaign next Saturday, November 29, at Mountaineer Field against West Virginia.
