Temple University Athletics
RB Bernard Pierce
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Temple’s Bernard Pierce Named MAC Offensive Player of the Week
10.26.09 | Football, Pierce4Heisman
Owls Travel to Navy for Oct. 31 Clash
CLEVELAND – Temple freshman RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) has earned Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for the East division, the MAC announced on Monday.
After leaving the Army game with an injury, Pierce returned to the starting line-up in Saturday night's 40-24 win at Toledo. He rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on season-high 40 carries while helping the Owls to their fifth consecutive victory and a 4-0 perfect MAC record for sole possession of the lead in the MAC East.
With his one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Pierce set the school record for a freshman for rushing touchdowns in a season. With his three scores, he now has nine TDs on the season, surpassing Paul Palmer (1983) who had six as a freshman. Pierce also became Temple's all-time freshman rusher with 766 yards, surpassing Palmer who had 628 yards.
Pierce's three touchdowns are the most for him in one game this season. The last time a Temple player rushed for three touchdowns in a game was 2004 by Walter Washington against Syracuse. Pierce now has four 100-yard rushing games, the most of any freshman in school history.
Pierce's 212 yards marks the first time an Owl has rushed for 200 yards in a game since Tanardo Sharps rushed for 215 on 48 carries at Rutgers in a 20-17 win on Nov. 16, 2002.
Pierce's second touchdown, a 39-yard rush, is the longest run by any Owl player this season.
Additionally, Pierce has earned Honorable Mention honors form ESPN Helmet Stickers and College Football Performance Awards as well as OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week accolades.
In seven games, Pierce leads all Owls and all MAC players with 766 yards and nine touchdowns on 135 carries. Pierce ranks No. 14 nationally in rushing, averaging 109.43 yards per game. He is also the No. 3 freshman rusher in the country.
The MAC honor is the second of Pierce's collegiate career and the Owls' fifth honor this season.
Temple (5-2, 4-0 MAC) travels to Navy (6-2) on Saturday,?Oct. 31 for a 3:30 p.m. game at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. The CBS College Sports Network will televise the game live.
MAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Oct. 26, 2009
EAST DIVISION
OFFENSIVE
RB Bernard Pierce, Temple
DEFENSIVE
DE Kevin Hogan, Kent State
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR Dashan Miller, Akron
WEST DIVISION
OFFENSIVE
RB MiQuale Lewis, Ball State
DEFENSIVE
DE Larry Knight, Central Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR Brandon West, Western Michigan
After leaving the Army game with an injury, Pierce returned to the starting line-up in Saturday night's 40-24 win at Toledo. He rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on season-high 40 carries while helping the Owls to their fifth consecutive victory and a 4-0 perfect MAC record for sole possession of the lead in the MAC East.
With his one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Pierce set the school record for a freshman for rushing touchdowns in a season. With his three scores, he now has nine TDs on the season, surpassing Paul Palmer (1983) who had six as a freshman. Pierce also became Temple's all-time freshman rusher with 766 yards, surpassing Palmer who had 628 yards.
Pierce's three touchdowns are the most for him in one game this season. The last time a Temple player rushed for three touchdowns in a game was 2004 by Walter Washington against Syracuse. Pierce now has four 100-yard rushing games, the most of any freshman in school history.
Pierce's 212 yards marks the first time an Owl has rushed for 200 yards in a game since Tanardo Sharps rushed for 215 on 48 carries at Rutgers in a 20-17 win on Nov. 16, 2002.
Pierce's second touchdown, a 39-yard rush, is the longest run by any Owl player this season.
Additionally, Pierce has earned Honorable Mention honors form ESPN Helmet Stickers and College Football Performance Awards as well as OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week accolades.
In seven games, Pierce leads all Owls and all MAC players with 766 yards and nine touchdowns on 135 carries. Pierce ranks No. 14 nationally in rushing, averaging 109.43 yards per game. He is also the No. 3 freshman rusher in the country.
The MAC honor is the second of Pierce's collegiate career and the Owls' fifth honor this season.
Temple (5-2, 4-0 MAC) travels to Navy (6-2) on Saturday,?Oct. 31 for a 3:30 p.m. game at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. The CBS College Sports Network will televise the game live.
MAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Oct. 26, 2009
EAST DIVISION
OFFENSIVE
RB Bernard Pierce, Temple
DEFENSIVE
DE Kevin Hogan, Kent State
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR Dashan Miller, Akron
WEST DIVISION
OFFENSIVE
RB MiQuale Lewis, Ball State
DEFENSIVE
DE Larry Knight, Central Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS
KR Brandon West, Western Michigan
Ep. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Adam Fisher)
Sunday, December 14
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Derrian Ford & Gavin Griffiths)
Sunday, December 14
Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
Friday, December 12
