Temple University Athletics
Temple University
VILLANOVA
Temple Defeats Villanova, 42-7, to Win Mayor's Cup
9.1.11 | Football, Pierce4Heisman
Owls look sharo to open Addazio Era
Coaches' Quotes
Postgame Notes
Game Stats
Photo Gallery
Addazio video
Gerardi video
Kroboth video
PHILADELPHIA -- The Steve Addazio Era could not have had a better opening as Temple scored on its opening drive and kept on rolling in a 42-7 win over cross-town rival Villanova in the 3rd Mayor's Cup presented by Dunkin Donuts in front of a 32,638 partisan Owl crowd Thursday night. It marks the second largest crowd to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Junior Bernard Pierce, coming off a strong and healthy training camp, looked in midseason form. The Ardmore, Pa. native became just the third Temple player to have three 100-yard games, rushing for 147 yards on 20 carries. He also had tied his career-high with three rushing touchdowns, one a 19-yarder off left tackle to give the Owls a 14-0 lead in the second quarter. The second coming on a 22-yard scamper around right end to make it 21-0 right before the half. Pierce's final TD was for 20 yards late in the third to put the Cherry and White ahead 35-0.
Junior Mike Gerardi got the nod as the starting quarterback and made the most of it. Gerardi, who started the final five games of 2010, completed 14-20 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He hit sophomore WR Deon Miller on a nice 35 yard strike across the middle of the 'Nova defense for the Owls' first touchdown. He then opened the second half with a 47-yard TD pass to senior WR Rod Streater on the first drive to make it 28-0.
Even sophomore QB Chris Coyer got into the flow, scoring on a draw play from 68 yards out on his first drive to cap the scoring.
Senior TE Evan Rodriguez was Gerardi's favorite target on the night. Rodriguez showed why he is worthy of being on the Mackey Watch List with a game and career high six receptions for a career-best 68 yards.
All in all, the Owls racked up 475 yards of total offense in the game, a sign that Addazio, the former offensive coordinator at Florida, system is working fine at his new school.
Temple's defense was equally impressive. The Owls forced four turnovers, made six tackles for loss and one sack while holding the Wildcats to 275 yards of total offense. Senior FS Kevin Kroboth (5 tackles) led the Owl defense with a career high two picks. Junior SS Justin Gildea added an interception while senior LB Tahir Whitehead, who had five tackles, including three for a loss, recovered a fumble. Sophomore LB Blaze Caponegro led Temple with seven tackles.
Senior LB Quinten White and junior DE Marcus Green each recorded a sack.
Villanova redshirt freshman QB Dustin Thomas struggled in his debut. He completed just 11-25 passes for 109 yards with three interceptions. He did rush for 59 yards, including a fourth quarter touchdown and caught a 44-yard pass from junior WR Dorian Wells on a trick play. That drive ended when redshirt freshman Anthony Robey stripped Thomas at the Temple 40 with Whitehead recovering.
The Owls will next travel to Akron on September 10 to open its Mid-American Conference season. The game will be televised by espn3.com and can be heard on 610 AM WIP.
