Temple University Athletics
Navy Fourth Quarter Comeback Too Much For Temple In 33-27 OT Loss
11.1.08 | Football
Nov. 1, 2008
Box Score|Quotes|Postgame Notes| AP Photo Gallery
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Navy overcame a 20-point fourth quarter deficit with three touchdowns over the final 9:16 to force the overtime period, and then backup quarterback Ricky Dobbs scored a one-yard touchdown in overtime to give the host Midshipmen a 33-27 win over the Temple Owls Saturday evening at Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium. Navy improves to 6-3 on the season while Temple falls to 3-6.
Dobbs came into the game in relief of starter Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who was injured in the third quarter, completed five of six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, and carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards and the game-winning score.
His efforts offset the Temple senior combo of quarterback Adam DiMichele and receiver Bruce Francis. DiMichele looked like his old self behind center, connecting on 21-of-28 passes for a career-high 340 yards and three touchdowns, while Francis, who extended his school record streak to 35 consecutive games with a reception, made four receptions for a career-high 135 yards. His two touchdowns tied a career-high for a game and tied him as Temple's career leader in receiving touchdowns with 18.
After a first half that featured each team scoring on their opening drive, but no other points, the Cherry and White quickly took control of the game in second half. DiMichele engineered a six-play, 76-yard drive. The big play was to his favorite target, Francis, a 49-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 with 12:11 left in the quarter. It would be a lead the Owls would not relinquish.
Two possessions later, DMichele again found Francis for a 49-yard touchdown. This time the Owl quarterback faked a sneak on third-and-two, drawing in the defense, and then dropping back to find a wide-open Francis for his eighth touchdown of the season
The Owls defense put the clamps on the Midshipmen offense, allowing only three first downs in the quarter. The defense ended the quarter on a high note when Jaiquawn Jarrett (10 tackles) picked off Dobbs and returned it 42 yards to the 26. Freshman running back Kee-ayre Griffin, who set career-high with 29 carries and 87 yards, made the Midshipmen pay, going around right end for a 16-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter. Jake Brownell missed the extra point leaving the score 27-7.
Navy then mounted its furious fourth-quarter comeback. First Dobbs hit T.J, Thiel for a 22-yard touchdown, capping a 10-play 78-yard drive. The second score, a two-yard run by Eric Kettani with 3:37 to play made it 27-20. Senior DT Terrance Knighton blocked Matt Harmon's extra point attempt to keep it a seven-point game.
On the Owls ensuing drive, it appeared Temple would be able to run out the clock after a key third-down pass play from DiMichele to Kevin Armstrong, but Griffin was stripped of the ball by Ross Pospisil. Navy's Clint Sovie picking it up and running 42 yards for the tying touchdown with 37 seconds to play.
In the overtime, Temple took possession first. DiMichele hit Francis on a 16-yard reception and followed with an eight-yarder to Griffiin. With a third down at the one, Griffin was stopped short. The Owls elected to go for it and DiMichele found Steve Maneri in the back of the end zone, but the sure-handed tight end had it fall off his fingertips incomplete.
It was all Dobbs on the Midshipmen's game-winning drive. The sophomore QB rushed five straight times for 14 yards with the final carry going for a one-yard score.
Navy used its impressive running attack, ranked second among NCAA Bowl Subdivision schools (309.9 ypg.) to march down the field on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. Under the direction of Kaheaku-Enhada, who returned to the lineup after missing the last three games due to a hamstring injury, the Midshipmen went 79 yards on 11 plays to become the first Owl opponent this season to score a touchdown on its opening drive.
Kettani gained 52 of his 115 yards for the game in the initial drive, but it was Kaheaku-Enhada who finished it off with a two-yard plunge. It was the Hawaiian native's 25th career touchdown, tying him for fourth on the Navy all-time list.
The Owls' senior signal-caller, making just his second start since returning from a shoulder injury, answered right back. DiMichele completed all five of his attempts for 69 yards with his last pass found tight end Steve Maneri in the left corner of the end zone for his fourth touchdown of the season to tie the game at 7-7. It marked the first touchdown on an opening drive all season for the Cherry and White.
Freshman Kee-ayre Griffin, who rushed for a career high 87 yards on 29 carries, rushed for 13 yards on the drive while DiMichele's favorite target, senior Bruce Francis, set the tome with a 25-yard reception on the first play. The catch extended Francis' school-record reception streak to 35 games.
The Owls defense adjusted to the Midshipmen's running attack, holding Navy at bay until the final drive of the half. Meanwhile the Owls offense moved the ball effectively, marching down the field on its last possession of the half. On this 52 yard drive, DiMichele converted three, third and long plays, completing first down passes to three different receivers, Travis Shelton, Marquise Liverpool and Dy'Onne Crudup.
DiMichele appeared to have converted another key third down, rushing five yards to the Navy 6, but he fumbled the ball and Jeff Deliz recovered for Navy at the nine.
With just 2:13 remaining in the half, Navy quickly moved the ball downfield courtesy of two big plays, a 21-yard Kaheaku-Enhada pass to Greg Shinego and a 24-yard run by Bobby Doyle to the Temple 23.
Following a three-yard run by Kaheaku-Enhada, senior All-America candidate kicker Matt Harmon lined up for a 37 yard attempt. Harmon, who made 14 of 15 on the year, had his attempt blocked by Jamal Schulters with Evan Cooper returning it to midfield as time expired.
The Owls will next travel to Kent State for another mid-week game, taking on the Golden Flashes on Wednesday, November 12 at 8:00 p.m. on espn360.
