Temple University Athletics
Temple Hosts Eastern Michigan at Lincoln Financial Field
11.17.08 | Football
Nov. 17, 2008
Complete Gamenotes in PDF Format 
THIS WEEK
Temple returns home to close out the regular season with two contests, the only back-to-back home contests for the Owls this fall. Temple entertains Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis. Live gametracker stats and audio streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.owlsports.com.
Under the direction of third-year head coach Al Golden, Temple stands 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Mid-American Conference play. The Owls fell 41-38 at Kent State on Nov. 12 in their final road game of the season despite some record-setting performances.
Senior WR Bruce Francis (Sicklerville, N.J.), who has made a reception in 36 consecutive games, became Temple's career leader in receiving touchdowns with 19 with his 32-yard touchdown reception at the end of the second quarter. Redshirt senior QB Adam DiMichele (McKees Rocks, Pa.) went 17-of-29 for 282 yards. It marked the ninth 200-plus passing yardage game for DiMichele which ranks him third on Temple's career list for 200-yard passers. Junior WR Jason Harper (BUdd Lake, N.J.) had a career-high 10 receptions for a career-high 209 yards. His 209 receiving yards are the second most in a game by an Owl (record- 214, Van Johnson vs. Pittsburgh, 1996).
But perhaps the most dramatic record setter was senior WR Travis Shelton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) who became Temple's career kickoff return leader with his 92-yard touchdown return to open the second half of play. The KOR touchdown was the second in Shelton's career. He now has 1,666 yards. Shelton surpassed Mike Palys (1985-88) who had 1,590 kickoff return yards in his career.
Returning 20 seniors and 26 juniors, Temple returns 21 starters this season and the top defense in the MAC. Senior WR Bruce Francis is the Owls' top receiver with 34 catches for 546 yards and a team-best nine touchdowns. Freshman RB Kee-ayre Griffin (East Orange, N.J.) leads the Owl rushers with 340 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries in five games in the backfield. He has scored a touchdown in every game since switching to offense. Redshirt senior QB Adam DiMichele has completed 98-of-164 for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore DB Jaiquawn Jarrett (Brooklyn, N.Y.) has 77 tackles, including a team-best 46 solos, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. The Owls will utilize their East Coast offense and 4-3 defense.
Leading the nation for three weeks, the Owls are ranked No. 2 for the second straight week in kickoff returns with 28.08 yards per return.
Under the guidance of fifth-year head coach Jeff Genyk, the Eagles stand 2-8 overall and 1-5 in MAC play after a 31-10 loss at Western Michigan on Nov. 1. EMU has had a 21-day break between its last game and traveling to Philadelphia.
Eastern Michigan returns 38 lettermen, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense. Senior RB Terrence Blevins leads the Eagles in rushing with 556 yards and 10 touchdowns on 126 carries. Redshirt junior QB Andy Schmitt has completed 153-of-261 for 1,644 yards and seven touchdowns. In the air, junior WR Jacory Stone has 60 receptions for 695 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, senior LB Daniel Holtzclaw has 86 tackles, 42 solos, 3.0 TFL, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble.
TEMPLE-EASTERN MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Michigan. Eastern Michigan has just one player from Pennsylvania-- freshman DB Jon Pryor (Monroeville / Gateway HS).
Temple sophomore DE Morris Blueford,Jr., junior DB Wilbert Brinson, sophomore WR Delano Green, junior WR Jason Harper, sophomore CB Jamal Schulters, as well as EMU's freshman LB Steve Brown and sophomore RB Dwayne Priest all played prep ball at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
Temple owns a perfect 3-0 record against Eastern Michigan. However, this is the first meeting between the schools in MAC play.
The schools first met in 1993 in Ypsilanti, Mich. The Owls fought the Eagles the entire game and pulled out a 31-28 win on the road.
The teams met again three years later, again at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti. Temple claimed a four-point victory, 28-24.
In the teams' last meeting in 2000 at Franklin Field, Temple won its third consecutive game against EMU in a 49-40 shootout in Philadelphia. Sophomore RB Tanardo Sharps ran for a career-high 203 yards and had two 65-yard touchdown runs. Junior QB Devin Scott three three touchdown passes to help the Owls to a 3-1 record for the first time since 1987.
SERIES INFORMATION Temple all-time vs. Eastern Michigan: 3-0 Temple in games at Temple: 1-0 Temple in games at Eastern Michigan: 2-0 Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-0 First meeting in series: 1993 at Rynearson Stadium, W, 31-28 Last meeting in series: 2000 at Franklin Field, W, 49-40SERIES HIGHS Temple Owls Rushing: Tanardo Sharps, 18-204, 2 TDs (2000) Passing: Devin Scott 10-16-0-163, 3 TDs (2000) Receiving: Troy Kersey, 7-178, 1 TD (1996)
Eastern Michigan Eagles Rushing: John White, 25-111, 1 TD (2000) Passing: Walter Church, 34-50-1-364, 3 TDs (2000) Receiving: Pryor, 7-202, 1 TD, (1996)
Year Site Results TUCoach EMUCoach 1993 Rynearson Stadium W, 31-28 Ron Dickerson Ron Cooper 1996 Rynearson Stadium W, 28-24 Ron Dickerson Rick Rasnick 2000 Franklin Field W, 49-40 Bobby Wallace Jeff Woodruff
