Temple University Athletics
Temple's DiMichele & Francis Named OwlSports.com Athletes of the Week
11.24.08 | Football
Nov. 24, 2008
PHILADELPHIA - Temple senior football players Adam DiMichele (McKees Rocks, Pa.) and Bruce Francis (Sicklerville, N.J.) have been named the OwlSports.com Athletes of the Week.
In the 55-52 win over Eastern Michigan, the duo combined for three school records and three individual career highs.
DiMichele went 21-of-37 for 370 yards. It marked the 10th 200-plus passing yardage game for DiMichele which ranks him third on Temple's career list for 200-yard passers. His 370 yards is a new career-high and marked the fourth 300-plus passing game of his career, tying the school career record with Henry Burris (4, 2003-06). He also threw a school record six touchdowns. DiMichele passed for three TDs in each half. The last time he passed for three TDs in a half was in the come-from-behind win at Akron last year (10-13-07) with three passing scores in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for a touchdown in the win.
Francis has made a reception in 37 consecutive games. His career-high four receiving touchdowns set the school record for receiving TDs in a game, previously held by five players, and extended his school record to 23 receiving TDs in his career. Francis' 13 receiving touchdowns this fall tied the school record for receiving TDs in a season. He is tied with Gerald Lucear who had 13 in 1979. Francis also recorded his fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career, compiling 125 yards on nine catches.
With the victory, the Owls have matched last season's win total of four games and have won at least four games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1985.
Temple's 55 points against Eastern Michigan were the most since the Owls defeated Connecticut, 56-7, at Franklin Field on Nov. 24, 2001. The 107 combined points were the most in a TU's Division 1-A history and most since 110 points in an 82-28 Owl win over Bucknell on Oct. 8, 1966. Temple's previous Division 1-A high was 105 points in a 53-52 Owl loss at Pitt on Oct. 5, 1996.
Temple (4-7, 3-4 MAC) hosts Akron (5-6, 3-4 MAC) in the season finale on Friday, Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls will honor the Senior Class during a pregame ceremony.
