Temple University Athletics
TE Evan Rodriguez
Temple Football Makes First Trip to Ball State
10.3.11 | Football
Kickoff is Set for 2 p.m. on Saturday
Gamenotes in PDF
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Balasavage
THIS WEEK
Temple makes it first-ever trip to Muncie, Ind., to face Ball State during its annual Homecoming game at Scheumann Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
All-MACcess will carry live video streaming of the game. Live stats and video streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.OwlSports.com.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-2 overall and 1-1 in MAC play after a 36-13 loss to Toledo. The 2011 Temple squad returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Junior RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) leads all rushers with 571 yards and 12 touchdowns on 111 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 279 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions. Junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 30-of-59 for 423 yards and three touchdowns, while senior QB Chester Stewart (Hanover, Md.) is 23-of-37 for 359 yards and a touchdown. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 36 tackles, two break-ups, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 25 in seven categories, including No. 2 in kickoff returns (30.07), No. 10 in scoring defense (13.40), No. 10 in sacks (3.00), and No. 12 in total defense (279.40). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in rushing touchdowns (12) , No. 3 in scoring (14.40 ppg), and No. 17 in rushing (114.20). Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 16 in tackles for loss (1.80). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 11 in kickoff returns (28.55). Over the last three seasons, Temple is 15-1 when Pierce carries the ball at least 18 times per game.
Ball State, under the guidance of first-year head coach Pete Lembo, is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC following a 62-6 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma. The Cardinals return 11 starters to their multiple no huddle offense and 4-3 defense.
Freshman RB Jahwan Edwards is the Cardinals' top rusher with 354 yards and six touchdowns on 72 carries. Senior WR Torieal Gibson has 18 receptions for 159 yards.?Sophomore QB Keith Wenning is 107-of-161 for 955 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior LB Travis Freeman leads all defenders with 45 tackles and a sack.
Ball State ranks No. 16 in sacks allowed (0.80), No. 24 in net punting (39.00), and No. 26 in punt returns (12.00). Junior P Scott Kovanda is No. 41 in punting (41.57), while junior PK Steven Schott is No. 44 in field goals (1.20), and junior LB Travis Freeman is No. 44 in tackles (9.00).
TEMPLE-BALL STATE CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Indiana. Ball State has one player from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Owls' offensive line coach Justin Frye (Elwood, Ind.) returns to his roots this week. A first-team All-state performer at Elwood HS, he played football, basketball, and golf (and ran track, too), competing against BSU's recruiting coordinator/TE?coach Joey Lynch throughout his prep career. Frye went on to play football at Indiana University (2002-06) for Lynch's father Bill Lynch. Following graduation, Fyre worked as a graduate assistant coach under Lynch at IU?for two seasons when Steve Addazio served as the team's offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.
BSU defensive line coach Chad Wilt coached at Steve Addazio's alma mater— Central Connecticut State ('81)— during the 2001-03 seasons.
Temple and Ball State have two of the world's most famous comedians as alumni. Temple's Bill Cosby lettered at fullback for the Owls in 1961, catching one touchdown pass in 1962. The 74-year old Philadelphia native is a television veteran actor, producer, and comedian.
Indianapolis native David Letterman, a 1969 graduate of BSU's Dept. of Radio & Television, hosts the Late Show with David Letterman week nights on CBS.
TEMPLE-BALL STATE: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is just the second meeting between the Owls and the Cardinals and their second in MAC play. In series action, Temple leads Ball State, 1-0.
In the teams' last meeting in 2009, Temple claimed a 24-19 win at Lincoln Financial Field during the Owls' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. Then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce led TU with 125 yards and two touchdowns. QB Vaughn Charlton went 17-of-30 for 186 yards and a TD pass to WR James Nixon.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Ball State 1-0
Temple in games at Temple: 1-0
Temple in games at Ball State 0-0
First meeting in series: 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field; W, 24-19
Last meeting in series: 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field; W, 24-19
Year Site Results TU Coach Ball State Coach
2009 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-19 Al Golden Stan Parrish
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 26-125, 2 TD (2009)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 17-30-0-186, 1 TD?(2009)
Receiving: Michael Campbell, 4-35 (2009)
Ball State Cardinals
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 9-54 (2009)
Passing: Kelly Page, 22-37-2-237, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Torieal Gibson, 5-110, 1 TD (2009)
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Seven of Temple's 2011 opponents— Villanova (FCS semifinal), Penn State (Outback Bowl), Maryland (Military Bowl), Toledo (Little Caesar's Bowl), Ohio (R+L Carriers Bowl), Miami (GoDaddy.com Bowl), and Army (Armed Forces Bowl)— participated in postseason play.
• Since joining the MAC in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 13-3.
• Temple's 38-7 win at Maryland was the first win in school history over an ACC team.
• “We didn't play our brand of football today. We can't let the turnovers take the best of us. The season's still ahead of us. We just lost to a Western Division team, our whole season is about winning the East and having an opportunity at playing for the MAC Championship. One game doesn't make or break your season. We have to learn, grow, mature, and develop as a football team.”
— Steve Addazio following the Toledo game
UP NEXT
Temple returns home to Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 15 to host Buffalo at 1 p.m. in the Homecoming game. The 2011 Temple Sports Hall of Fame Inductees will be introduced at halftime.
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Balasavage
THIS WEEK
Temple makes it first-ever trip to Muncie, Ind., to face Ball State during its annual Homecoming game at Scheumann Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET.
All-MACcess will carry live video streaming of the game. Live stats and video streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.OwlSports.com.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-2 overall and 1-1 in MAC play after a 36-13 loss to Toledo. The 2011 Temple squad returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Junior RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) leads all rushers with 571 yards and 12 touchdowns on 111 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 279 yards and a touchdown on 18 receptions. Junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 30-of-59 for 423 yards and three touchdowns, while senior QB Chester Stewart (Hanover, Md.) is 23-of-37 for 359 yards and a touchdown. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 36 tackles, two break-ups, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 25 in seven categories, including No. 2 in kickoff returns (30.07), No. 10 in scoring defense (13.40), No. 10 in sacks (3.00), and No. 12 in total defense (279.40). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in rushing touchdowns (12) , No. 3 in scoring (14.40 ppg), and No. 17 in rushing (114.20). Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 16 in tackles for loss (1.80). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 11 in kickoff returns (28.55). Over the last three seasons, Temple is 15-1 when Pierce carries the ball at least 18 times per game.
Ball State, under the guidance of first-year head coach Pete Lembo, is 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC following a 62-6 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma. The Cardinals return 11 starters to their multiple no huddle offense and 4-3 defense.
Freshman RB Jahwan Edwards is the Cardinals' top rusher with 354 yards and six touchdowns on 72 carries. Senior WR Torieal Gibson has 18 receptions for 159 yards.?Sophomore QB Keith Wenning is 107-of-161 for 955 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior LB Travis Freeman leads all defenders with 45 tackles and a sack.
Ball State ranks No. 16 in sacks allowed (0.80), No. 24 in net punting (39.00), and No. 26 in punt returns (12.00). Junior P Scott Kovanda is No. 41 in punting (41.57), while junior PK Steven Schott is No. 44 in field goals (1.20), and junior LB Travis Freeman is No. 44 in tackles (9.00).
TEMPLE-BALL STATE CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Indiana. Ball State has one player from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Owls' offensive line coach Justin Frye (Elwood, Ind.) returns to his roots this week. A first-team All-state performer at Elwood HS, he played football, basketball, and golf (and ran track, too), competing against BSU's recruiting coordinator/TE?coach Joey Lynch throughout his prep career. Frye went on to play football at Indiana University (2002-06) for Lynch's father Bill Lynch. Following graduation, Fyre worked as a graduate assistant coach under Lynch at IU?for two seasons when Steve Addazio served as the team's offensive coordinator/offensive line coach.
BSU defensive line coach Chad Wilt coached at Steve Addazio's alma mater— Central Connecticut State ('81)— during the 2001-03 seasons.
Temple and Ball State have two of the world's most famous comedians as alumni. Temple's Bill Cosby lettered at fullback for the Owls in 1961, catching one touchdown pass in 1962. The 74-year old Philadelphia native is a television veteran actor, producer, and comedian.
Indianapolis native David Letterman, a 1969 graduate of BSU's Dept. of Radio & Television, hosts the Late Show with David Letterman week nights on CBS.
TEMPLE-BALL STATE: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is just the second meeting between the Owls and the Cardinals and their second in MAC play. In series action, Temple leads Ball State, 1-0.
In the teams' last meeting in 2009, Temple claimed a 24-19 win at Lincoln Financial Field during the Owls' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. Then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce led TU with 125 yards and two touchdowns. QB Vaughn Charlton went 17-of-30 for 186 yards and a TD pass to WR James Nixon.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Ball State 1-0
Temple in games at Temple: 1-0
Temple in games at Ball State 0-0
First meeting in series: 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field; W, 24-19
Last meeting in series: 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field; W, 24-19
Year Site Results TU Coach Ball State Coach
2009 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-19 Al Golden Stan Parrish
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 26-125, 2 TD (2009)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 17-30-0-186, 1 TD?(2009)
Receiving: Michael Campbell, 4-35 (2009)
Ball State Cardinals
Rushing: MiQuale Lewis, 9-54 (2009)
Passing: Kelly Page, 22-37-2-237, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Torieal Gibson, 5-110, 1 TD (2009)
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Seven of Temple's 2011 opponents— Villanova (FCS semifinal), Penn State (Outback Bowl), Maryland (Military Bowl), Toledo (Little Caesar's Bowl), Ohio (R+L Carriers Bowl), Miami (GoDaddy.com Bowl), and Army (Armed Forces Bowl)— participated in postseason play.
• Since joining the MAC in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 13-3.
• Temple's 38-7 win at Maryland was the first win in school history over an ACC team.
• “We didn't play our brand of football today. We can't let the turnovers take the best of us. The season's still ahead of us. We just lost to a Western Division team, our whole season is about winning the East and having an opportunity at playing for the MAC Championship. One game doesn't make or break your season. We have to learn, grow, mature, and develop as a football team.”
— Steve Addazio following the Toledo game
UP NEXT
Temple returns home to Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 15 to host Buffalo at 1 p.m. in the Homecoming game. The 2011 Temple Sports Hall of Fame Inductees will be introduced at halftime.
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