Temple University Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Lincoln Financial Field
1:00 PM
Temple University
24
vs
19
BALL STATE
Temple Football Remains Unbeaten In MAC With 24-19 Win Over Ball State
10.10.09 | Football
Jarrett, Pierce lead way for Cherry and White
Boxscore in PDF
Postgame Notes in PDF
photo_gallery.aspx
PHILADELPHIA - Junior DB Jaiquawn Jarrett led a big-play defense with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and freshman RB Bernard Pierce scored two touchdowns and had his third straight 100-yard rushing game to lead Temple to its third straight win, 24-19 over Ball State Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. It marked the first time the Owls (3-2, 3-0 MAC) opened 3-0 in conference play since 1967. It was also the fifth straight conference win at Lincoln Financial Field. Ball State falls to 0-6, 0-2 MAC.
The defense set the tone early as senior DT Andre Neblett forced a fumble on the opening possession that was recovered by junior DB Kwane Johnson. It was the first of five turnovers forced by the Cherry and White defensive unit that was led by Jarrett. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native had a team-high nine tackles, five solo, a tackle for loss and a pass break-up to go along with his career-high two picks. Junior LB Elijah "Peanut" Joseph also had another big game, making six tackles, two for a loss of 16 yards, while being credited on an intentional-grounding call, and forcing a fumble.
While the defense was holding the Cardinals in check, Pierce was again leading the offense. The local product (Glen Mills Academy) rushed 25 times for 125 yards and in the process became the first Owl freshman to rush for 100 yards in three games. His three straight 100-yard games is the most since Tanardo Sharps had four straight 100-yard games in 2002.
Junior QB Vaughn Charlton completed 17 of 30 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. Junior WR Michael Campbell (four catches, 35 yards) and sophomore WR James Nixon (2 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD) led the Owls receiving corps that featured nine players with at least one reception.
The Owls jumped out to a 10-0 lead on their first two possessions. Following the Johnson fumble recovery Charlton directed a 12-play, 52-yard drive that led to a 27-yard field goal by freshman kicker Brandon McManus. It appeared the Owls actually would take a 7-0 lead as Pierce ran nine-yards for a touchdown, but it was called back due to offensive holding.
Sophomore Joe Jones made a stellar punt return of 30 yards to give Temple the ball on the Ball State 28 on its next possession. Charlton then went to play-action, faking a hand-off to Pierce and finding Nixon all alone in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown.
Temple looked to be going in for another touchdown on its next drive. Charlton moved the Owls down the field, hitting Campbell and TE Evan Rodriguez on 10-yard pass plays and Pierce rushing for 25 yards on four carries. With first and goal at the 10, the drive turned ugly with three penalties, two on the Owls, moving the ball to the 17. McManus then attempted a 30-yard field goal, which was low and into the back of a lineman. Ball State's Charlie Todd picked it up and returned it 14 yards before being pulled down from behind by Jordan Martin.
Ball State finally appeared on the verge of scoring as the half came to a close. QB Kelly Page (22-37-2, 2 TD) found his rhythm, completing four-of-five passes for 39 yards. With the ball at the Temple 30, Page dropped back and appeared to have Toriel Gibson open inside the 5. Sophomore DB Kevin Kroboth deflected the pass and Jarrett grabbed the interception from Gibson's hands to end the drive.
Page, however, picked up right where he left off in the second half. On Ball State's first possession, he hit a streaking Gibson for a 50-yard touchdown to make it 10-7.
The Owls then literally gave the Cardinals the lead when a high snap to punter Jeff Wathne went into the end zone and was recovered for a touchdown by Eric Williams. The point after attempt by Ian McGarvey was wide left, leaving the score 13-10 in Ball State's favor.
Pierce then demonstrated how valuable he has become to the Temple offense. The freshman back rushed six times for 43 yards, the last two for a touchdown, to cap a nine-play, 60-yard drive to allow the Owls to regain the lead, 17-13, with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter.
The Owls appeared to ready to extend the margin on their opening possession of the fourth quarter as they marched 50 yards to the Ball State 30 with the big play a 20-yard reverse by senior WR Jason Harper. McManus, however, was wide right on his 47-yard attempt.
Jarrett then made another big play, intercepting Page at the BSU 47. Two plays later Charlton connected with Delano Green on the right sideline. The junior WR kept in-bounds, and then went 33 yards to the BSU 14. Three straight Pierce runs, the last for a three-yard score, gave the Owls a 24-13 lead.
With the game out of reach, the Owls again had a high snap on a punt attempt. The fumbled punt with an additional 15-yard penalty gave Ball State the ball at the TU 12. Fortunately there was just 12 seconds remaining. Page hit Daniel Ifft for a two-yard touchdown pass as time expired.
Temple next takes the turf at Lincoln Financial Field next Saturday (oct. 17) for its Homecoming game against Army. At halftime of that game the new members of the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame - the 1951 and 1953 National Champion men's soccer teams, Chrissy Muller Poplawski (women's lacrosse), Les Roos (baseball) and Jim Van de Zilver (men's gymnastics) - will be introduced. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. and it will be broadcast on 1340 AM WHAT.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Temple head coach Al Golden
On Running Back Bernard Pierce:
“He's starting to feel it. He's starting to carry it, and he's getting stronger as the game goes on. He's giving us a glimpse of obviously what he can be. He's got to continue to work hard and become an all around player; catch the ball better and protect a little bit better, but right now he's doing a good job in the running game.”
On winning ugly:
“It was ugly at times and we have to get the special teams squared away, but we kept battling and we won. In the end nobody is going to look back six weeks from now and say we won by a couple points. The bottom line is we won and were 3-0 in the league.”
On toughness of Ball State:
“You've got to know where that team was and what they've already experienced. We haven't experienced any of that: two bowl games, top twenty-five ranking the whole season, MAC championship game so they're not just going to go away so I was pleased that we fought back to be honest with you.”
On being 3-0 in the MAC:
“I hate the word frontrunner, because you don't win the league in October. You can lose the league in October, and we've found many ways to do that. We've rewritten the book on that so we'll try it this way now. In the league it's an eight game tournament so were down to a five game tournament in the league, and we just got to keep working. League play is tough.”
Ball State head coach Stan Parrish
Opening statement:
“Football is a pretty simple game when you look at it. We turned it over five times, missed an extra point, and had a horrendous kickoff following that sucked the momentum out of our team. But they know what they are, they run the ball, they're big and physical, and then they take their shots downfield with the deep play action, and we certainly didn't deserve to win this football game. We ran it like a broken record. We ran it because we made a big play in the passing game and then we got a great play on special teams, but we missed the extra point and kicked the ball off out of bounds. That's like making two birdies then three-putting from four feet away for a double (bogey) for those who play golf.”
“We just have to keep trucking. They're very good defensively up front. We were in a real mismatch there, they got a lot of heat, we tried to max protect they covered us down pretty good and played some man to man coverage. They're very athletic, their defense is very good. That's if not the best defense especially physically we've faced since I've been at Ball State, its one that's right up there. Take my hat off to Al (Golden) because four years ago they couldn't walk and chew gum. And they know what they are, that's why I think they have a good shot to win the east.”
On defensive line of Temple:
“They don't do anything different any week, they just run over you. They hit the gaps, they have some nice twisting schemes where they free them up. They're quick, they're veteran, they know what they're doing.”
“Let's get one thing straight, they're a good football team, they're a physical football team who knows what they are and that's a tribute to their coaches.”
On five turnovers:
“Our tailbacks put the ball on the ground twice when they shouldn't have, one of the interceptions he got hit right in the head while he was throwing, we need to play it clean like we did last week. I think we have a little Toledo hangover too, and we weathered the storm. I didn't think we came out with great energy at the start of the ballgame to be honest with you.”
Postgame Notes in PDF
photo_gallery.aspx
PHILADELPHIA - Junior DB Jaiquawn Jarrett led a big-play defense with two interceptions and a fumble recovery, and freshman RB Bernard Pierce scored two touchdowns and had his third straight 100-yard rushing game to lead Temple to its third straight win, 24-19 over Ball State Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field. It marked the first time the Owls (3-2, 3-0 MAC) opened 3-0 in conference play since 1967. It was also the fifth straight conference win at Lincoln Financial Field. Ball State falls to 0-6, 0-2 MAC.
The defense set the tone early as senior DT Andre Neblett forced a fumble on the opening possession that was recovered by junior DB Kwane Johnson. It was the first of five turnovers forced by the Cherry and White defensive unit that was led by Jarrett. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native had a team-high nine tackles, five solo, a tackle for loss and a pass break-up to go along with his career-high two picks. Junior LB Elijah "Peanut" Joseph also had another big game, making six tackles, two for a loss of 16 yards, while being credited on an intentional-grounding call, and forcing a fumble.
While the defense was holding the Cardinals in check, Pierce was again leading the offense. The local product (Glen Mills Academy) rushed 25 times for 125 yards and in the process became the first Owl freshman to rush for 100 yards in three games. His three straight 100-yard games is the most since Tanardo Sharps had four straight 100-yard games in 2002.
Junior QB Vaughn Charlton completed 17 of 30 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. Junior WR Michael Campbell (four catches, 35 yards) and sophomore WR James Nixon (2 catches, 37 yards, 1 TD) led the Owls receiving corps that featured nine players with at least one reception.
The Owls jumped out to a 10-0 lead on their first two possessions. Following the Johnson fumble recovery Charlton directed a 12-play, 52-yard drive that led to a 27-yard field goal by freshman kicker Brandon McManus. It appeared the Owls actually would take a 7-0 lead as Pierce ran nine-yards for a touchdown, but it was called back due to offensive holding.
Sophomore Joe Jones made a stellar punt return of 30 yards to give Temple the ball on the Ball State 28 on its next possession. Charlton then went to play-action, faking a hand-off to Pierce and finding Nixon all alone in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown.
Temple looked to be going in for another touchdown on its next drive. Charlton moved the Owls down the field, hitting Campbell and TE Evan Rodriguez on 10-yard pass plays and Pierce rushing for 25 yards on four carries. With first and goal at the 10, the drive turned ugly with three penalties, two on the Owls, moving the ball to the 17. McManus then attempted a 30-yard field goal, which was low and into the back of a lineman. Ball State's Charlie Todd picked it up and returned it 14 yards before being pulled down from behind by Jordan Martin.
Ball State finally appeared on the verge of scoring as the half came to a close. QB Kelly Page (22-37-2, 2 TD) found his rhythm, completing four-of-five passes for 39 yards. With the ball at the Temple 30, Page dropped back and appeared to have Toriel Gibson open inside the 5. Sophomore DB Kevin Kroboth deflected the pass and Jarrett grabbed the interception from Gibson's hands to end the drive.
Page, however, picked up right where he left off in the second half. On Ball State's first possession, he hit a streaking Gibson for a 50-yard touchdown to make it 10-7.
The Owls then literally gave the Cardinals the lead when a high snap to punter Jeff Wathne went into the end zone and was recovered for a touchdown by Eric Williams. The point after attempt by Ian McGarvey was wide left, leaving the score 13-10 in Ball State's favor.
Pierce then demonstrated how valuable he has become to the Temple offense. The freshman back rushed six times for 43 yards, the last two for a touchdown, to cap a nine-play, 60-yard drive to allow the Owls to regain the lead, 17-13, with 4:48 remaining in the third quarter.
The Owls appeared to ready to extend the margin on their opening possession of the fourth quarter as they marched 50 yards to the Ball State 30 with the big play a 20-yard reverse by senior WR Jason Harper. McManus, however, was wide right on his 47-yard attempt.
Jarrett then made another big play, intercepting Page at the BSU 47. Two plays later Charlton connected with Delano Green on the right sideline. The junior WR kept in-bounds, and then went 33 yards to the BSU 14. Three straight Pierce runs, the last for a three-yard score, gave the Owls a 24-13 lead.
With the game out of reach, the Owls again had a high snap on a punt attempt. The fumbled punt with an additional 15-yard penalty gave Ball State the ball at the TU 12. Fortunately there was just 12 seconds remaining. Page hit Daniel Ifft for a two-yard touchdown pass as time expired.
Temple next takes the turf at Lincoln Financial Field next Saturday (oct. 17) for its Homecoming game against Army. At halftime of that game the new members of the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame - the 1951 and 1953 National Champion men's soccer teams, Chrissy Muller Poplawski (women's lacrosse), Les Roos (baseball) and Jim Van de Zilver (men's gymnastics) - will be introduced. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. and it will be broadcast on 1340 AM WHAT.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Temple head coach Al Golden
On Running Back Bernard Pierce:
“He's starting to feel it. He's starting to carry it, and he's getting stronger as the game goes on. He's giving us a glimpse of obviously what he can be. He's got to continue to work hard and become an all around player; catch the ball better and protect a little bit better, but right now he's doing a good job in the running game.”
On winning ugly:
“It was ugly at times and we have to get the special teams squared away, but we kept battling and we won. In the end nobody is going to look back six weeks from now and say we won by a couple points. The bottom line is we won and were 3-0 in the league.”
On toughness of Ball State:
“You've got to know where that team was and what they've already experienced. We haven't experienced any of that: two bowl games, top twenty-five ranking the whole season, MAC championship game so they're not just going to go away so I was pleased that we fought back to be honest with you.”
On being 3-0 in the MAC:
“I hate the word frontrunner, because you don't win the league in October. You can lose the league in October, and we've found many ways to do that. We've rewritten the book on that so we'll try it this way now. In the league it's an eight game tournament so were down to a five game tournament in the league, and we just got to keep working. League play is tough.”
Ball State head coach Stan Parrish
Opening statement:
“Football is a pretty simple game when you look at it. We turned it over five times, missed an extra point, and had a horrendous kickoff following that sucked the momentum out of our team. But they know what they are, they run the ball, they're big and physical, and then they take their shots downfield with the deep play action, and we certainly didn't deserve to win this football game. We ran it like a broken record. We ran it because we made a big play in the passing game and then we got a great play on special teams, but we missed the extra point and kicked the ball off out of bounds. That's like making two birdies then three-putting from four feet away for a double (bogey) for those who play golf.”
“We just have to keep trucking. They're very good defensively up front. We were in a real mismatch there, they got a lot of heat, we tried to max protect they covered us down pretty good and played some man to man coverage. They're very athletic, their defense is very good. That's if not the best defense especially physically we've faced since I've been at Ball State, its one that's right up there. Take my hat off to Al (Golden) because four years ago they couldn't walk and chew gum. And they know what they are, that's why I think they have a good shot to win the east.”
On defensive line of Temple:
“They don't do anything different any week, they just run over you. They hit the gaps, they have some nice twisting schemes where they free them up. They're quick, they're veteran, they know what they're doing.”
“Let's get one thing straight, they're a good football team, they're a physical football team who knows what they are and that's a tribute to their coaches.”
On five turnovers:
“Our tailbacks put the ball on the ground twice when they shouldn't have, one of the interceptions he got hit right in the head while he was throwing, we need to play it clean like we did last week. I think we have a little Toledo hangover too, and we weathered the storm. I didn't think we came out with great energy at the start of the ballgame to be honest with you.”
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