Temple University Athletics
Wednesday, November 9
Lincoln Financial Field
8 p.m.
Temple University
vs
*MIAMI [Ohio]
DE Adrian Robinson
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Temple Football Hosts Miami in Wednesday Night MAC East Showdown
11.4.11 | Football
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN
Gamenotes in PDF
Press Conference video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
part IV
McManus & Griffin
THIS WEEK
Temple closes out the regular season with three home games. First the Owls return to Lincoln Financial Field for their second consecutive mid-week game on Wednesday, Nov. 9, hosting defending Mid-American Conference champion Miami [Ohio] in a MAC East showdown. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. before a national television audience on ESPN.
Dave LaMont will handle the play-by-play, while Robert Smith will provide color analysis for television. 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 5-4 overall and 3-3 in MAC play after a 35-31 loss at Ohio. 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 1,035 yards and a single-season record 19 touchdowns on 203 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 311 yards and two touchdowns on 24 receptions. Senior QB Chester Stewart (Hanover, Md.) is 48-of-77 for 649 yards and two touchdowns, while junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 30-of-59 for 423 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) is 8-of-14 for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 76 tackles, including a team-best 43 solos, four break-ups, three TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 10 in seven categories, including No. 1 in kickoff returns (28.83), No. 2 in scoring defense (10.00), No. 5 in total defense (263.25), No. 7 in pass efficiency defense (100.10), No. 9 in rushing offense (252.13), No. 10 in pass defense (172.75), and No. 10 in rushing defense (90.50). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (18), No. 2 in scoring (13.50 ppg), and No. 10 in rushing (118.88).
Junior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) is No. 2 in punting (47.66). Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 40 in tackles for loss (1.25). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 16 in punt returns (11.69), No. 23 in kickoff returns (27.47), and No. 29 in all-purpose running (141.75). Over the last three seasons, Temple is 17-2 when Pierce carries the ball at least 18 times per game.
Miami, under the guidance of first-year head coach Don Treadwell, is 4-5 overall and 3-2 in the MAC following a 35-3 win over Akron. The RedHawks return 20 starters to their multiple offense and 4-3 defense.
Sophomore RB Erik Finklea is the RedHawks' top rusher with 328 yards and four touchdowns on 92 carries. Sophomore WR Nick Harwell has 54 receptions for 895 yards and three touchdowns. Junior QB Zac Dysert is 190-of-304 for 2,364 yards and 16 touchdowns. Senior LB Jerrell Wedge leads all defenders with 70 tackles, including 4.0 TFL, and two break-ups.
Miami ranks No. 10 in tackles for loss (7.88), No. 18 in pass defense (191.00), and No. 29 in passing offense (278.13). Sophomore WR Nick Harwell is No. 9 in receiving yards per game (111.14) and No. 14 in receptions per game (7.14). Sophomore CB Dayonne Nunley is No. 27 in interceptions (0.38), while junior QB Zac Dysert is No. 29 in total offense (272.75).
TEMPLE-MIAMI CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Ohio.
Miami has four players from Pennsylvania, two from the Philadelphia area— brothers r-senior DL C.J. Marck (Newtown, Pa. / Pennsbury HS) and junior TE Steve Marck (Newtown, Pa. / Pennsbury HS).
Miami's passing game coordinator Charlie Fisher served as Temple's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bobby Wallace during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
TEMPLE-MIAMI— THE SERIES
Wednesday's game will mark the sixth meeting between the Owls and the RedHawks with the Owls holding a 3-2 advantage.
Last fall, Miami claimed the 2010 MAC East championship with a 23-3 win over Temple at Yager Stadium. Thomas Merriweather rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown for the RedHawks. Temple played the game without two of its top players, senior MLB Elijah "Peanut" Joseph and sophomore RB Bernard Pierce. Joseph suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ohio the week before, while Pierce was out with a hamstring injury incurred in the same contest.
The Owls were not able to mount anything offensively, accumulating just 201 total yards while turning the ball over four times. Temple was only able to amass 55 yards and four first downs after intermission as the Miami defense turned up its intensity in the second half.
In 2009, then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, and freshman PK Brandon McManus nailed two field goals to lead the Owls to a 34-32 win at Lincoln Financial Field.
In the teams' last meeting in Oxford in 2008, senior WR Bruce Francis' two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions iced a 28-10 win over host Miami in front of 17,295 fans at Yager Stadium.
Although Temple has sponsored football since 1894 and Miami has fielded a team since 1888, the teams met just once before Temple joined the MAC. On Oct. 29, 2005, Miami claimed a 41-14 win at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was the Owls' final home game of the 2005 campaign and the last under eight-year head coach Bobby Wallace.
In its first game in MAC competition in 2007, Temple evened the series with a 24-17 win under Al Golden before its Homecoming crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. TU withstood a late Miami rally to hang on for its third consecutive victory. The win marked the first time that Temple had won three consecutive conference games since 1967 when Temple competed in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The win also marked the first time the Owls had won three consecutive games in a season since 1990.
The victory, however, came with a huge price tag. Starting QB Adam DiMichele suffered a broken leg early in the second quarter following a sack and missed the rest of the season.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Miami: 3-2
Temple in games at Temple: 2-1
Temple in games at Miami: 1-1
First meeting in series: 2005 at Lincoln Financial Field, L, 14-41
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Yager Stadium, L, 23-3
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 40-178, 3 TD (2009)
Passing: Chester Stewart, 11-23-1-178, 3 TD (2008)
Receiving: Umar Ferguson 3-72, 0 TD (2005)
Miami RedHawks
Rushing: Thomas Merriweather, 22-182, 1 TD (2010)
Passing: Zac Dysert, 31-51-426, 3 TD (2009)
Receiving: Armand Robinson, 10-118, 2 TD (2009)
Year Site Results TU Coach OU Coach
2005 Lincoln Financial Field L, 14-41 Bobby Wallace Shane Montgomery
2007 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-17 Al Golden Shane Montgomery
2008 Yager Stadium W, 28-10 Al Golden Shane Montgomery
2009 Lincoln Financial Field W, 34-32 Al Golden Michael Haywood
2010 Yager Stadium L, 3-23 Al Golden Michael Haywood
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 14-4.
• Temple's 38-7 win at Maryland was the first win in school history over an ACC team.
• “It's a tough loss, but our kids played really hard. I'm proud of the way they battled. You get on the road in a big game like this, but I thought we handled it all pretty well.”
— Steve Addazio following the Ohio game
UP NEXT
Temple continues its three-game homestand at Lincoln Financial Field with Army on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff on ESPN3 is set for 1 p.m.
Press Conference video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
part IV
McManus & Griffin
THIS WEEK
Temple closes out the regular season with three home games. First the Owls return to Lincoln Financial Field for their second consecutive mid-week game on Wednesday, Nov. 9, hosting defending Mid-American Conference champion Miami [Ohio] in a MAC East showdown. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. before a national television audience on ESPN.
Dave LaMont will handle the play-by-play, while Robert Smith will provide color analysis for television. 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 5-4 overall and 3-3 in MAC play after a 35-31 loss at Ohio. 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 1,035 yards and a single-season record 19 touchdowns on 203 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 311 yards and two touchdowns on 24 receptions. Senior QB Chester Stewart (Hanover, Md.) is 48-of-77 for 649 yards and two touchdowns, while junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 30-of-59 for 423 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) is 8-of-14 for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 76 tackles, including a team-best 43 solos, four break-ups, three TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 10 in seven categories, including No. 1 in kickoff returns (28.83), No. 2 in scoring defense (10.00), No. 5 in total defense (263.25), No. 7 in pass efficiency defense (100.10), No. 9 in rushing offense (252.13), No. 10 in pass defense (172.75), and No. 10 in rushing defense (90.50). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (18), No. 2 in scoring (13.50 ppg), and No. 10 in rushing (118.88).
Junior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) is No. 2 in punting (47.66). Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 40 in tackles for loss (1.25). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 16 in punt returns (11.69), No. 23 in kickoff returns (27.47), and No. 29 in all-purpose running (141.75). Over the last three seasons, Temple is 17-2 when Pierce carries the ball at least 18 times per game.
Miami, under the guidance of first-year head coach Don Treadwell, is 4-5 overall and 3-2 in the MAC following a 35-3 win over Akron. The RedHawks return 20 starters to their multiple offense and 4-3 defense.
Sophomore RB Erik Finklea is the RedHawks' top rusher with 328 yards and four touchdowns on 92 carries. Sophomore WR Nick Harwell has 54 receptions for 895 yards and three touchdowns. Junior QB Zac Dysert is 190-of-304 for 2,364 yards and 16 touchdowns. Senior LB Jerrell Wedge leads all defenders with 70 tackles, including 4.0 TFL, and two break-ups.
Miami ranks No. 10 in tackles for loss (7.88), No. 18 in pass defense (191.00), and No. 29 in passing offense (278.13). Sophomore WR Nick Harwell is No. 9 in receiving yards per game (111.14) and No. 14 in receptions per game (7.14). Sophomore CB Dayonne Nunley is No. 27 in interceptions (0.38), while junior QB Zac Dysert is No. 29 in total offense (272.75).
TEMPLE-MIAMI CONNECTIONS
Temple has no players on its roster from the state of Ohio.
Miami has four players from Pennsylvania, two from the Philadelphia area— brothers r-senior DL C.J. Marck (Newtown, Pa. / Pennsbury HS) and junior TE Steve Marck (Newtown, Pa. / Pennsbury HS).
Miami's passing game coordinator Charlie Fisher served as Temple's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bobby Wallace during the 2000 and 2001 seasons.
TEMPLE-MIAMI— THE SERIES
Wednesday's game will mark the sixth meeting between the Owls and the RedHawks with the Owls holding a 3-2 advantage.
Last fall, Miami claimed the 2010 MAC East championship with a 23-3 win over Temple at Yager Stadium. Thomas Merriweather rushed for 182 yards and a touchdown for the RedHawks. Temple played the game without two of its top players, senior MLB Elijah "Peanut" Joseph and sophomore RB Bernard Pierce. Joseph suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ohio the week before, while Pierce was out with a hamstring injury incurred in the same contest.
The Owls were not able to mount anything offensively, accumulating just 201 total yards while turning the ball over four times. Temple was only able to amass 55 yards and four first downs after intermission as the Miami defense turned up its intensity in the second half.
In 2009, then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, and freshman PK Brandon McManus nailed two field goals to lead the Owls to a 34-32 win at Lincoln Financial Field.
In the teams' last meeting in Oxford in 2008, senior WR Bruce Francis' two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions iced a 28-10 win over host Miami in front of 17,295 fans at Yager Stadium.
Although Temple has sponsored football since 1894 and Miami has fielded a team since 1888, the teams met just once before Temple joined the MAC. On Oct. 29, 2005, Miami claimed a 41-14 win at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was the Owls' final home game of the 2005 campaign and the last under eight-year head coach Bobby Wallace.
In its first game in MAC competition in 2007, Temple evened the series with a 24-17 win under Al Golden before its Homecoming crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. TU withstood a late Miami rally to hang on for its third consecutive victory. The win marked the first time that Temple had won three consecutive conference games since 1967 when Temple competed in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The win also marked the first time the Owls had won three consecutive games in a season since 1990.
The victory, however, came with a huge price tag. Starting QB Adam DiMichele suffered a broken leg early in the second quarter following a sack and missed the rest of the season.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Miami: 3-2
Temple in games at Temple: 2-1
Temple in games at Miami: 1-1
First meeting in series: 2005 at Lincoln Financial Field, L, 14-41
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Yager Stadium, L, 23-3
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 40-178, 3 TD (2009)
Passing: Chester Stewart, 11-23-1-178, 3 TD (2008)
Receiving: Umar Ferguson 3-72, 0 TD (2005)
Miami RedHawks
Rushing: Thomas Merriweather, 22-182, 1 TD (2010)
Passing: Zac Dysert, 31-51-426, 3 TD (2009)
Receiving: Armand Robinson, 10-118, 2 TD (2009)
Year Site Results TU Coach OU Coach
2005 Lincoln Financial Field L, 14-41 Bobby Wallace Shane Montgomery
2007 Lincoln Financial Field W, 24-17 Al Golden Shane Montgomery
2008 Yager Stadium W, 28-10 Al Golden Shane Montgomery
2009 Lincoln Financial Field W, 34-32 Al Golden Michael Haywood
2010 Yager Stadium L, 3-23 Al Golden Michael Haywood
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 14-4.
• Temple's 38-7 win at Maryland was the first win in school history over an ACC team.
• “It's a tough loss, but our kids played really hard. I'm proud of the way they battled. You get on the road in a big game like this, but I thought we handled it all pretty well.”
— Steve Addazio following the Ohio game
UP NEXT
Temple continues its three-game homestand at Lincoln Financial Field with Army on Saturday, Nov. 19. Kickoff on ESPN3 is set for 1 p.m.
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