Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE GETS READY FOR REGIONAL RIVAL RUTGERS
10.11.04 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - Temple (1-5, 0-1), under the direction of seventh-year head coach Bobby Wallace, and Rutgers (3-2, 0-1), under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Greg Schiano, meet Saturday at 12 noon within the confines of 41,500-seat Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. Regional bragging rights are on the line as the two campuses are separated by a 67-mile drive. The game has also been designated as the Scarlet Knights' annual Homecoming contest. Saturday's game is being produced by ESPN Plus+ as the Big East Game of the Week and will be televised in the Delaware Valley on WB-17 with Dave Sims calling the action and John Congemi providing the commentary.
Temple utilizes a spread offense and a 4-2-5 defense. The Scarlet Knights operate a pro-style offense and a 4-3 defense.
The Owls are coming off a 27-22 home loss to Pittsburgh last Saturday, in a game which the Owls held a 16-3 first half lead and failed on two fourth-and-goal attempts from the one-yard line. Temple had a season-high 83 total plays, its most since posting 84 plays at Louisville (9/27/03) last season. The Owls also had a season-best 27 first downs, their most since having 27 versus the Cardinals last year. Junior QB Walter Washington set career highs in completions (30), attempts (44), yards passing (314), TD passes (3) and total offense (396 yards). He rushed for 82 yards while leading TD scoring drives of 79, 80 and 86 yards and completing passes to eight different receivers. Senior WR Buchie Ibeh returned from an injury to make a career-high seven catches for a career-best 73 yards.
Senior LB Troy Bennett had 10 stops and junior DE Mike Mendenhall made a career-high 3.5 TFLs and a career-best tying seven stops. Senior DT Eric Carpenter sacked Pitt QB Tyler Palko in the end zone in the second quarter to give Temple a 9-3 lead. It marked the Owls' first safety since 2000 versus Syracuse. Temple had three players on defense make first career starts: sophomore Ryan Gore (SLB), junior Randy Johnson (NT) and junior A.J. Lindsay (DT).
Rutgers posted the largest comeback in its history last Saturday night at Vanderbilt, overcoming a 27-3 third quarter deficit to win 37-34. Junior QB Ryan Hart was 31-of-40 for 344 yards and two TDs, while junior TB Brian Leonard rushed for 50 yards and four scores.
