Temple University Athletics
Saturday, November 21
Lincoln Financial Field
1:00 PM
Temple University
vs
KENT STATE
The 2009 Seniors
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Football Hosts Kent State in Home Finale on Saturday
11.16.09 | Football
Senior Class to be Honored During Pregame Ceremony
Gamenotes in PDF
THIS WEEK
Temple returns to Philadelphia for its final home game. The Owls host Kent State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Senior Class, Al Golden's first recruiting class, will be honored during a pregame ceremony.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WHAT 1340 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis. All-MACcess will carry live video streaming of the game. Live gametracker stats and video streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.OwlSports.com.
Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Al Golden, Temple stands 8-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in MAC?play. Last week, the Owls won their eighth consecutive game with a thrilling 56-17 win at Akron before a national television audience. The last time Temple won eight games in a row was in 1973 under coach Wayne Hardin.
The eight wins are the team's most since 1979 when the Owls finished 10-2 with a trip to the Garden State Bowl.
Guaranteed its first winning season since 1990, Temple is also bowl eligible for the first time since 1990. Temple's last bowl appearance came in the 1979 Garden State Bowl where the Owls beat California, 28-17, at Giants Stadium.
The 2009 squad, featuring Golden's first recruiting class as seniors, returns 21 starters to 17 positions. The Owls utilize an East Coast offense and 4-3 defense.
Temple's final home game with Kent State is the 1,000th football game in school history. The Owls began varsity football in 1894 with a 15-6 win over Philadelphia Dental College.
On the ground, freshman RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) leads the Owls with a freshman record 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns on 223 carries. R-junior QB Vaughn Charlton (Landenberg, Pa.) has thrown 90-of-178 for 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. R-sophomore QB Chester Stewart, who started the last two games, is 13-of-27 for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Michael Campbell (Edison, N.J.) is the top receiver with 379 yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches.
Nationally Temple ranks No. 15 in kickoff returns (25.33), No. 20 in sacks (2.70), No. 25 in turnover margin (0.60), No. 26 in rushing defense (107.20), and No. 28 in total defense (321.40). Kent State ranks No. 5 in tackles for loss (8.30) and No. 10 in sacks?(3.00).
Individually, freshman RB Bernard Pierce ranks No. 4 nationally in rushing (130.80) and No. 12 in scoring (9.00), while sophomore DT Adrian Robinson is No. 8 in sacks (1.00).
Head coach Doug Martin is in his sixth season at Kent State. The Golden Flashes stand 5-5 on the season and 4-2 in MAC play after a 28-20 loss to Akron. Kent State has enjoyed a bye week before traveling to Temple. KSU returns 15 starters to its spread offense and 3-4 defense.
Sophomore RB Jacquise Terry is the Flashes' leading rusher with 590 yards and four touchdowns on 124 carries. Freshman QB Keith Spencer is 150-of-263 for 1,915 yards and 13 touchdowns, while r-sophomore QB Giorgio Morgan is 36-of-66 for 279 yards. Freshman WR Tyshon Goode is the top receiver with 685 yards and five touchdowns on 48 catches.
SENIOR STATUS
Prior to Saturday's home finale, Temple will recognize the achievements of its Senior Class. This fall, Temple honors 16 seniors— DB Wilbert Brinson, Jr. (Cheltenham, Md.), OL Marcus Brown (Upper Marlboro, Md.), PK Jake Brownell (Thorofare, N.J.), DB Anthony Ferla (Waldwick, N.J.), DT Grigory Frenk (Brooklyn, N.Y.), LB John Haley (Potomac Falls, Va.), WR Jason Harper (Budd Lake, N.J.), DB Dominique Harris (Washington, D.C.), LB Alex Joseph (Stamford, Conn.), TE Steve Maneri (Saddle Brook, N.J.), RB Lamar McPherson (Philadelphia, Pa.), LB James Namude (Potomac, Md.), NT Andre Neblett (Rahway, N.J.), DT Dave Nwasike (Marietta, Ga.), DT Brian Sanford (Hartford, Conn.), OT Devin Tyler (Suitland, Md.).
Also honored will be equipment managers Nykolai Bilynsky (Philadelphia, Pa.), James King, Jr. (North Versailles, Pa.), and Dan O'Connor (Roxborough, Pa.); office assistants Ashley Custer (Wilmington, Del.) and Dave Mathewson (Annandale, Pa.); videographers Scott Hartkorn (Hatboro, Pa.) and Tony Prentice (Lebanon, Pa.); and athletic trainer— Dan Vogel, Jr. (Scranton, Pa.).
The 2009 Owl seniors have seen it all through their four years. As Al Golden's first recruiting class, the seniors had a tough beginning. Arriving as true freshmen in 2006, they began their collegiate careers at 1-16 through the first 17 games, averaging a mere 14 points to opponents' 40 points.
In the last 29 games, the Owls are 19-12. Four of those losses came on the last play of the game and six were by a total of 12 points in regulation. If we split the last play losses evenly into the win-loss column, the Owls would be 19-10.
In their last 12 games, the Temple Owls are 10-2, including their current eight-game winning streak.
TEMPLE-KENT STATE CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Ohio.
Kent State has nine players from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia area.
Owl sophomore DT Muhammad Wilkerson and several Golden Flash players played at Hargrave Academy. From Kent State are senior DL Sam Frist, freshman WR Tyshon Goode, junior LB Will Johnson, freshman DB Garrick Piggott, sophomore DB Josh Pleasant, freshman DB Darius Polk, sophomore WR Kendrick Pressley, junior TE Jon Simpon, freshman LB C.J. Steward, and freshman LB Kent Walker.
In his first season at Temple, defensive line coach Randy Melvin spent the last three seasons as the defensive line coach at the Cleveland Browns. Kent State cornerbacks' coach Richard McNutt worked with the Browns' cornerbacks in 2008.
TEMPLE-KENT STATE— THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the fourth meeting between the Owls and the Golden Flashes. Kent State leads in series action, 2-1.
During 2008's Wednesday night bout at Dix Stadium, the home team prevailed with a 41-38 victory. The loss eliminated the Cherry and White from contention in the Mid-American Conference East Division race.
Despite the outcome, the Temple seniors had a big night. QB Adam DiMichele completed 17 of 29 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. WR Jason Harper made a career-high 10 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. WR Travis Shelton made two kickoff returns, including a 92-yard TD return, to add to his career kickoff return yardage record. WR Bruce Francis made a 32-yard TD reception at the end of the first half to set the record for most career touchdown receptions.
In 2007 in Philadelphia, Temple used a balanced rushing attack and four interceptions in the second half to defeat Kent State, 24-14, at Lincoln Financial Field. The win was the Owls' fourth conference victory in Mid-American play. It marked the first time since 1967 that the Owls had won four conference games in a season. The victory also marked the first time since 2002 that Temple had won four games in a season.
PK Jake Brownell made a career-high four field goals, connecting on kicks of 26, 27, 30 and 32 yards. While the Owls statistically dominated the game, out-gaining Kent State 375 to 124 and winning the time of possession battle by more than 17 minutes, they found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter due to missed first-half opportunities.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Kent State: 1-2
Temple in games at Temple: 1-1
Temple in games at Kent State: 0-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field, L, 17-28
Last meeting in series: 2008 at Dix Stadium, L, 38-41
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Daryl Robinson, 17-105 (2007)
Passing: Adam DiMichele, 17-29-1-282, 3 TDs (2008)
Receiving: Jason Harper, 10-209, 2 TDs (2008)
Kent State Golden Flashes
Rushing: Eugene Jarvis, 34-185, 1 TD (2008)
Passing: Julian Edelman, 18-26-1-232, 1 TD (2008)
Receiving: Shawn Bayes, 5-60 (2008)
Year Site Results TU Coach Kent State Coach
2006 Lincoln Financial Field L, 28-17 Al Golden Doug Martin
2007 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-14 Al Golden Doug Martin
2008 Dix Stadium L, 41-38 Al Golden Doug Martin
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Temple is 6-0 in the MAC for the first time since joining the conference in 2007.
• Temple faced five teams with new head coaches [Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Army, Toledo, and Miami (OH)].
• Temple has won six consecutive MAC games at home at Lincoln Financial Field.
• Since joining the MAC in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 9-2.
• Five of Temple's 2009 opponents went on to postseason play last fall— Ball State [MAC Championship game & GMAC Bowl], Buffalo [MAC Championship game & International Bowl], Navy [EagleBank Bowl], Penn State [Rose Bowl], and Villanova [NCAA quarterfinals].
• “All year it's been this team's style to kind of flip the switch and answer back, like we did tonight. We just need to stay humble and stay hungry and try to finish strong.” — Al Golden on team's comeback victory at Akron
UP NEXT
Temple closes out the regular season on Friday, Nov. 27 at Ohio. ESPNU will televise the game live at 11 a.m. from Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.
THIS WEEK
Temple returns to Philadelphia for its final home game. The Owls host Kent State at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Senior Class, Al Golden's first recruiting class, will be honored during a pregame ceremony.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WHAT 1340 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis. All-MACcess will carry live video streaming of the game. Live gametracker stats and video streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.OwlSports.com.
Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Al Golden, Temple stands 8-2 overall and a perfect 6-0 in MAC?play. Last week, the Owls won their eighth consecutive game with a thrilling 56-17 win at Akron before a national television audience. The last time Temple won eight games in a row was in 1973 under coach Wayne Hardin.
The eight wins are the team's most since 1979 when the Owls finished 10-2 with a trip to the Garden State Bowl.
Guaranteed its first winning season since 1990, Temple is also bowl eligible for the first time since 1990. Temple's last bowl appearance came in the 1979 Garden State Bowl where the Owls beat California, 28-17, at Giants Stadium.
The 2009 squad, featuring Golden's first recruiting class as seniors, returns 21 starters to 17 positions. The Owls utilize an East Coast offense and 4-3 defense.
Temple's final home game with Kent State is the 1,000th football game in school history. The Owls began varsity football in 1894 with a 15-6 win over Philadelphia Dental College.
On the ground, freshman RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) leads the Owls with a freshman record 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns on 223 carries. R-junior QB Vaughn Charlton (Landenberg, Pa.) has thrown 90-of-178 for 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. R-sophomore QB Chester Stewart, who started the last two games, is 13-of-27 for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Michael Campbell (Edison, N.J.) is the top receiver with 379 yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches.
Nationally Temple ranks No. 15 in kickoff returns (25.33), No. 20 in sacks (2.70), No. 25 in turnover margin (0.60), No. 26 in rushing defense (107.20), and No. 28 in total defense (321.40). Kent State ranks No. 5 in tackles for loss (8.30) and No. 10 in sacks?(3.00).
Individually, freshman RB Bernard Pierce ranks No. 4 nationally in rushing (130.80) and No. 12 in scoring (9.00), while sophomore DT Adrian Robinson is No. 8 in sacks (1.00).
Head coach Doug Martin is in his sixth season at Kent State. The Golden Flashes stand 5-5 on the season and 4-2 in MAC play after a 28-20 loss to Akron. Kent State has enjoyed a bye week before traveling to Temple. KSU returns 15 starters to its spread offense and 3-4 defense.
Sophomore RB Jacquise Terry is the Flashes' leading rusher with 590 yards and four touchdowns on 124 carries. Freshman QB Keith Spencer is 150-of-263 for 1,915 yards and 13 touchdowns, while r-sophomore QB Giorgio Morgan is 36-of-66 for 279 yards. Freshman WR Tyshon Goode is the top receiver with 685 yards and five touchdowns on 48 catches.
SENIOR STATUS
Prior to Saturday's home finale, Temple will recognize the achievements of its Senior Class. This fall, Temple honors 16 seniors— DB Wilbert Brinson, Jr. (Cheltenham, Md.), OL Marcus Brown (Upper Marlboro, Md.), PK Jake Brownell (Thorofare, N.J.), DB Anthony Ferla (Waldwick, N.J.), DT Grigory Frenk (Brooklyn, N.Y.), LB John Haley (Potomac Falls, Va.), WR Jason Harper (Budd Lake, N.J.), DB Dominique Harris (Washington, D.C.), LB Alex Joseph (Stamford, Conn.), TE Steve Maneri (Saddle Brook, N.J.), RB Lamar McPherson (Philadelphia, Pa.), LB James Namude (Potomac, Md.), NT Andre Neblett (Rahway, N.J.), DT Dave Nwasike (Marietta, Ga.), DT Brian Sanford (Hartford, Conn.), OT Devin Tyler (Suitland, Md.).
Also honored will be equipment managers Nykolai Bilynsky (Philadelphia, Pa.), James King, Jr. (North Versailles, Pa.), and Dan O'Connor (Roxborough, Pa.); office assistants Ashley Custer (Wilmington, Del.) and Dave Mathewson (Annandale, Pa.); videographers Scott Hartkorn (Hatboro, Pa.) and Tony Prentice (Lebanon, Pa.); and athletic trainer— Dan Vogel, Jr. (Scranton, Pa.).
The 2009 Owl seniors have seen it all through their four years. As Al Golden's first recruiting class, the seniors had a tough beginning. Arriving as true freshmen in 2006, they began their collegiate careers at 1-16 through the first 17 games, averaging a mere 14 points to opponents' 40 points.
In the last 29 games, the Owls are 19-12. Four of those losses came on the last play of the game and six were by a total of 12 points in regulation. If we split the last play losses evenly into the win-loss column, the Owls would be 19-10.
In their last 12 games, the Temple Owls are 10-2, including their current eight-game winning streak.
TEMPLE-KENT STATE CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Ohio.
Kent State has nine players from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia area.
Owl sophomore DT Muhammad Wilkerson and several Golden Flash players played at Hargrave Academy. From Kent State are senior DL Sam Frist, freshman WR Tyshon Goode, junior LB Will Johnson, freshman DB Garrick Piggott, sophomore DB Josh Pleasant, freshman DB Darius Polk, sophomore WR Kendrick Pressley, junior TE Jon Simpon, freshman LB C.J. Steward, and freshman LB Kent Walker.
In his first season at Temple, defensive line coach Randy Melvin spent the last three seasons as the defensive line coach at the Cleveland Browns. Kent State cornerbacks' coach Richard McNutt worked with the Browns' cornerbacks in 2008.
TEMPLE-KENT STATE— THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the fourth meeting between the Owls and the Golden Flashes. Kent State leads in series action, 2-1.
During 2008's Wednesday night bout at Dix Stadium, the home team prevailed with a 41-38 victory. The loss eliminated the Cherry and White from contention in the Mid-American Conference East Division race.
Despite the outcome, the Temple seniors had a big night. QB Adam DiMichele completed 17 of 29 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns. WR Jason Harper made a career-high 10 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns. WR Travis Shelton made two kickoff returns, including a 92-yard TD return, to add to his career kickoff return yardage record. WR Bruce Francis made a 32-yard TD reception at the end of the first half to set the record for most career touchdown receptions.
In 2007 in Philadelphia, Temple used a balanced rushing attack and four interceptions in the second half to defeat Kent State, 24-14, at Lincoln Financial Field. The win was the Owls' fourth conference victory in Mid-American play. It marked the first time since 1967 that the Owls had won four conference games in a season. The victory also marked the first time since 2002 that Temple had won four games in a season.
PK Jake Brownell made a career-high four field goals, connecting on kicks of 26, 27, 30 and 32 yards. While the Owls statistically dominated the game, out-gaining Kent State 375 to 124 and winning the time of possession battle by more than 17 minutes, they found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter due to missed first-half opportunities.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Kent State: 1-2
Temple in games at Temple: 1-1
Temple in games at Kent State: 0-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-0
First meeting in series: 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field, L, 17-28
Last meeting in series: 2008 at Dix Stadium, L, 38-41
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Daryl Robinson, 17-105 (2007)
Passing: Adam DiMichele, 17-29-1-282, 3 TDs (2008)
Receiving: Jason Harper, 10-209, 2 TDs (2008)
Kent State Golden Flashes
Rushing: Eugene Jarvis, 34-185, 1 TD (2008)
Passing: Julian Edelman, 18-26-1-232, 1 TD (2008)
Receiving: Shawn Bayes, 5-60 (2008)
Year Site Results TU Coach Kent State Coach
2006 Lincoln Financial Field L, 28-17 Al Golden Doug Martin
2007 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-14 Al Golden Doug Martin
2008 Dix Stadium L, 41-38 Al Golden Doug Martin
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Temple is 6-0 in the MAC for the first time since joining the conference in 2007.
• Temple faced five teams with new head coaches [Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Army, Toledo, and Miami (OH)].
• Temple has won six consecutive MAC games at home at Lincoln Financial Field.
• Since joining the MAC in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 9-2.
• Five of Temple's 2009 opponents went on to postseason play last fall— Ball State [MAC Championship game & GMAC Bowl], Buffalo [MAC Championship game & International Bowl], Navy [EagleBank Bowl], Penn State [Rose Bowl], and Villanova [NCAA quarterfinals].
• “All year it's been this team's style to kind of flip the switch and answer back, like we did tonight. We just need to stay humble and stay hungry and try to finish strong.” — Al Golden on team's comeback victory at Akron
UP NEXT
Temple closes out the regular season on Friday, Nov. 27 at Ohio. ESPNU will televise the game live at 11 a.m. from Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.
Evan Simon, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
Allan Haye, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
K.C. Keeler, 10/11/25
Saturday, October 11
Ep. 10: Temple Homecoming Preview; Volleyball Assistant Coach Taylor Davenport
Tuesday, October 07
