Temple University Athletics
TE Evan Rodriguez
Temple Hosts In-State Rival Penn State on Sept. 17
9.12.11 | Football
Kickoff is set for Noon at Lincoln Financial Field
Gamenotes in PDF
Stadium Advisory
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEOS
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Players Whitehead & Gerardi, part I
part II
THIS WEEK
Temple returns home to host in-state rival and perennial powerhouse Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for Noon on ESPN.
ESPN will broadcast the game live nationally with Dave LaMont calling the action and Ray Bentley providing color commentary. 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 2-0 overall and 1-0 in MAC play after a 41-3 victory at Akron in the conference opener. 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 297 yards and six touchdowns on 38 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 105 yards on nine receptions. Junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 21-of-37 for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Senior S Kevin Kroboth (Nazareth, Pa.) and senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) lead the defense with 10 tackles each.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 20 in seven categories, including No. 3 in sacks (5.50), No. 4 in scoring defense (5.00), No. 8 in punt returns (19.33), and No. 9 in kickoff returns (32.50). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in scoring (18.00) and No. 6 in rushing (148.50), senior S Kevin Kroboth is No. 3 in interceptions (1.00), junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 7 in punt returns (19.33), and senior WR Joe Jones (Hollywood, Fla.) is No. 8 in kickoff returns (35.67).
Penn State, under the guidance of 46th-year head coach Joe Paterno, is 1-1 following a 27-11 loss to No. 3/2 Alabama. The Nittany Lions return 15 starters to their multiple offense and multiple defense.
Penn State is No. 17 in pass defense (134.00), No. 26 in total defense (264.50), and No. 27 in pass efficiency defense (102.10). Senior CB Chaz Powell is No. 4 in kickoff returns (40.67).
Sophomore TB Silas Redd is the Lions' top rusher with 169 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Senior WR Derek Moye has seven receptions for 108 yards. Sophomore QB?Rob Bolden is 17-of-41 for 181 yards. Junior LB Gerald Hodges and junior LB Michael Mauti lead all defenders with 14 tackles each.
Saturday's meeting marks the sixth contest of a seven-game series between Temple and Penn State, with five games scheduled at Beaver Stadium (Nov. 11, 2006; Sept. 20, 2008; Sept. 19, 2009; Oct. 9, 2010; Sept. 22, 2012) and two games slated for Lincoln Financial Field (Nov. 10, 2007; Sept. 17, 2011). Last fall, the schools announced an additional three-game series. Penn State hosts the Owls in 2014 (Aug. 30) and 2016 (Sept. 17), while Temple plays host in 2015 (Sept. 5).
Saturday's game also marks the second meeting between Steve Addazio and Joe Paterno and their first meeting as head coaches.
On Jan. 1, 2011, offensive coordinator Addazio led the Florida Gators to a 37-24 win over the Nittany Lions in the Outback Bowl.
TEMPLE-PENN STATE CONNECTIONS
Assistant offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Matt Rhule (Penn State '97) is a State College native. He played LB at PSU from 1994-97.?A three-time Penn State Scholar-Athlete, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1997. Rhule earned his degree in political science. Rhule and PSU wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary, who quarterbacked the Blue and White, attended State College Area HS together. Jay Paterno is also a State College Area HS alum.
PSU assistant coaches Dick Anderson, Tom Bradley, Larry Johnson, Bill Kenney, and Jay Paterno were all assistants during Rhule's playing career.
Temple has 47 players on its roster from Pennsylvania with four players from Central Pennsylvania. Junior DB Justin Gildea is from Hollidaysburg. Redshirt freshman OL Jake Lane is from Harrison Valley.
Penn State has five players from the Philadelphia area— sophomore G Mark Arcidiacono (Holland), sophomore WR Curtis Drake (Philadelphia), junior WR Andrew Goodman (Philadelphia), junior DE Pete Massaro (Newtown Square), and freshman DE Shawn Oakman (Lansdowne).
Hailing from Philadelphia's George Washington HS are Temple freshman WR?Brandon Chudnoff, freshman CB Daquan Cooper, and sophomore QB Clinton Granger, as well as Penn State's Junior WR Andrew Goodman. GW won three consecutive Public League championships.
Additional Connections:
Before transferring to Temple where he won the 1974 Maxwell Award as college football's Player of the Year, Temple radio color commentator Steve Joachim earned a letter as a quarterback at Penn State under Joe Paterno in 1971.
Temple football SID Cathy Bongiovi (Penn State '87) earned a degree in journalism. She previously worked at her alma mater for four years (1997-2001), advancing to the 2000 women's basketball Final Four with the Lady Lions.
TEMPLE-PENN STATE — THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 41st meeting between the Owls and the Nittany Lions, the longest active series in Temple school history (second longest overall). TU had met only one other opponent more often— Bucknell (44).
Since the teams' first meeting in 1931, the Nittany Lions lead the series, 36-3-1. Under Paterno, the Lions are a perfect 27-0 against the Owls (since 1975).
Temple has not beaten Penn State since a 14-0 victory on Oct. 18, 1941. The teams tied 7-7 in 1950. The Owls lost by one point in both 1975 and 1976. On. Sept. 6, 1986, the Temple-Penn State game was the first-ever night game played at Beaver Stadium. The Owls and Nittany Lions have also played twice at historic Franklin Field (1975, 1994) and met in Giants Stadium in 1996.
Last year at Beaver Stadium, for the first time in three decades Temple held its own with Penn State, leading the #23/20 Nittany Lions for 37 minutes before falling 22-13 in front of 104,840 fans. Senior PK Collin Wagner made a career-high and school-record-tying five field goals, and senior RB Evan Royster rushed for a career-high 187 yards to propel PSU's come-from behind win. RB Bernard Pierce led the Owls with two touchdowns.
It was the closest game in the series since then #11 Penn State toppled Temple, 27-25, in 1985. It also marked the first time Temple led at any point in a game against its in-state rival during the Nittany Lions' Big Ten era (since 1993).
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Penn State: 3-36-1
Temple in games at Temple: 3-11
Temple in games at Penn State: 0-22-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-3
First meeting in series: 1931 at Temple Stadium, W, 12-0
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Beaver Stadium, L, 22-13
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Paul Palmer, 30-206, 2 TDs (1985)
Passing: Henry Burris, 24-42-323, 2 TDs (1994)
Receiving: Pete Righi, 7-100 (1975)
Penn State Nittany Lions
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 27-168, 1 TD (2007)
Passing: Anthony Morelli, 22-33-260, 3 TDs (2007)
Receiving: Terry Smith, 8-144, 1 TD (1991)
Year Site Result Temple Coach PSU?Coach
1931 Temple Stadium W, 12-0 Henry J. Miller Bob Higgins
1932 Temple Stadium W, 13-12 Henry J. Miller Bob Higgins
1940 Temple Stadium L, 18-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1943 Beaver Field L, 13-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1944 Temple Stadium L, 7-6 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1945 Beaver Field L, 27-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1946 Beaver Field L, 26-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1947 Temple Stadium L, 7-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1948 Beaver Field L, 47-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1949 Temple Stadium L, 28-7 Albert P. Kawal Joe Bedenk
1950 Beaver Field T, 7-7 Albert P. Kawal Rip?Engle
1952 Beaver Field L, 20-13 Albert P. Kawal Rip?Engle
1975 Franklin Field L, 26-25 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 31-30 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1977 Beaver Stadium L, 44-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1978 Veterans Stadium L, 10-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1979 Beaver Stadium L, 22-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1980 Veterans Stadium L, 50-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1981 Beaver Stadium L, 30-0 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1982 Beaver Stadium L, 31-14 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1983 Veterans Stadium L, 23-18 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1985 Beaver Stadium L, 27-25 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1986 Beaver Stadium L, 45-15 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1987 Beaver Stadium L, 27-13 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1988 Veterans Stadium L, 45-9 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1989 Beaver Stadium L, 42-3 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1990 Beaver Stadium L, 48-10 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1991 Veterans Stadium L, 24-7 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1992 Beaver Stadium L, 49-8 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1994 Franklin Field L, 48-21 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1995 Beaver Stadium L, 66-14 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1996 Giants Stadium L, 41-0 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1997 Beaver Stadium L, 52-10 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
2003 Beaver Stadium L, 23-10 Bobby Wallace Joe Paterno
2006 Beaver Stadium L, 47-0 Al Golden Joe Paterno*
2007 Lincoln Financial Field L, 31-0 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2008 Beaver Stadium L, 45-3 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2009 Beaver Stadium L, 31-6 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2010 Beaver Stadium L, 22-13 Al Golden Joe Paterno
* coached by coordinators Tom Bradley and Galen Hall
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.
• “[The goal was just to] get out with a W. Just get out 2-0. How many teams will be 2-0 on Monday? Not a ton.”
— Steve Addazio following the win at Akron
UP NEXT
Temple travels to Maryland on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 12:30 p.m. The ACC?Network (ESPN?Game Plan and ESPN3.com) will televise the game.
Stadium Advisory
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEOS
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Players Whitehead & Gerardi, part I
part II
THIS WEEK
Temple returns home to host in-state rival and perennial powerhouse Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for Noon on ESPN.
ESPN will broadcast the game live nationally with Dave LaMont calling the action and Ray Bentley providing color commentary. 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 2-0 overall and 1-0 in MAC play after a 41-3 victory at Akron in the conference opener. 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 297 yards and six touchdowns on 38 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 105 yards on nine receptions. Junior QB Mike Gerardi (Parsippany, N.J.) is 21-of-37 for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Senior S Kevin Kroboth (Nazareth, Pa.) and senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) lead the defense with 10 tackles each.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 20 in seven categories, including No. 3 in sacks (5.50), No. 4 in scoring defense (5.00), No. 8 in punt returns (19.33), and No. 9 in kickoff returns (32.50). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce is No. 2 in scoring (18.00) and No. 6 in rushing (148.50), senior S Kevin Kroboth is No. 3 in interceptions (1.00), junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 7 in punt returns (19.33), and senior WR Joe Jones (Hollywood, Fla.) is No. 8 in kickoff returns (35.67).
Penn State, under the guidance of 46th-year head coach Joe Paterno, is 1-1 following a 27-11 loss to No. 3/2 Alabama. The Nittany Lions return 15 starters to their multiple offense and multiple defense.
Penn State is No. 17 in pass defense (134.00), No. 26 in total defense (264.50), and No. 27 in pass efficiency defense (102.10). Senior CB Chaz Powell is No. 4 in kickoff returns (40.67).
Sophomore TB Silas Redd is the Lions' top rusher with 169 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries. Senior WR Derek Moye has seven receptions for 108 yards. Sophomore QB?Rob Bolden is 17-of-41 for 181 yards. Junior LB Gerald Hodges and junior LB Michael Mauti lead all defenders with 14 tackles each.
Saturday's meeting marks the sixth contest of a seven-game series between Temple and Penn State, with five games scheduled at Beaver Stadium (Nov. 11, 2006; Sept. 20, 2008; Sept. 19, 2009; Oct. 9, 2010; Sept. 22, 2012) and two games slated for Lincoln Financial Field (Nov. 10, 2007; Sept. 17, 2011). Last fall, the schools announced an additional three-game series. Penn State hosts the Owls in 2014 (Aug. 30) and 2016 (Sept. 17), while Temple plays host in 2015 (Sept. 5).
Saturday's game also marks the second meeting between Steve Addazio and Joe Paterno and their first meeting as head coaches.
On Jan. 1, 2011, offensive coordinator Addazio led the Florida Gators to a 37-24 win over the Nittany Lions in the Outback Bowl.
TEMPLE-PENN STATE CONNECTIONS
Assistant offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Matt Rhule (Penn State '97) is a State College native. He played LB at PSU from 1994-97.?A three-time Penn State Scholar-Athlete, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 1997. Rhule earned his degree in political science. Rhule and PSU wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary, who quarterbacked the Blue and White, attended State College Area HS together. Jay Paterno is also a State College Area HS alum.
PSU assistant coaches Dick Anderson, Tom Bradley, Larry Johnson, Bill Kenney, and Jay Paterno were all assistants during Rhule's playing career.
Temple has 47 players on its roster from Pennsylvania with four players from Central Pennsylvania. Junior DB Justin Gildea is from Hollidaysburg. Redshirt freshman OL Jake Lane is from Harrison Valley.
Penn State has five players from the Philadelphia area— sophomore G Mark Arcidiacono (Holland), sophomore WR Curtis Drake (Philadelphia), junior WR Andrew Goodman (Philadelphia), junior DE Pete Massaro (Newtown Square), and freshman DE Shawn Oakman (Lansdowne).
Hailing from Philadelphia's George Washington HS are Temple freshman WR?Brandon Chudnoff, freshman CB Daquan Cooper, and sophomore QB Clinton Granger, as well as Penn State's Junior WR Andrew Goodman. GW won three consecutive Public League championships.
Additional Connections:
Before transferring to Temple where he won the 1974 Maxwell Award as college football's Player of the Year, Temple radio color commentator Steve Joachim earned a letter as a quarterback at Penn State under Joe Paterno in 1971.
Temple football SID Cathy Bongiovi (Penn State '87) earned a degree in journalism. She previously worked at her alma mater for four years (1997-2001), advancing to the 2000 women's basketball Final Four with the Lady Lions.
TEMPLE-PENN STATE — THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 41st meeting between the Owls and the Nittany Lions, the longest active series in Temple school history (second longest overall). TU had met only one other opponent more often— Bucknell (44).
Since the teams' first meeting in 1931, the Nittany Lions lead the series, 36-3-1. Under Paterno, the Lions are a perfect 27-0 against the Owls (since 1975).
Temple has not beaten Penn State since a 14-0 victory on Oct. 18, 1941. The teams tied 7-7 in 1950. The Owls lost by one point in both 1975 and 1976. On. Sept. 6, 1986, the Temple-Penn State game was the first-ever night game played at Beaver Stadium. The Owls and Nittany Lions have also played twice at historic Franklin Field (1975, 1994) and met in Giants Stadium in 1996.
Last year at Beaver Stadium, for the first time in three decades Temple held its own with Penn State, leading the #23/20 Nittany Lions for 37 minutes before falling 22-13 in front of 104,840 fans. Senior PK Collin Wagner made a career-high and school-record-tying five field goals, and senior RB Evan Royster rushed for a career-high 187 yards to propel PSU's come-from behind win. RB Bernard Pierce led the Owls with two touchdowns.
It was the closest game in the series since then #11 Penn State toppled Temple, 27-25, in 1985. It also marked the first time Temple led at any point in a game against its in-state rival during the Nittany Lions' Big Ten era (since 1993).
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Penn State: 3-36-1
Temple in games at Temple: 3-11
Temple in games at Penn State: 0-22-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-3
First meeting in series: 1931 at Temple Stadium, W, 12-0
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Beaver Stadium, L, 22-13
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Paul Palmer, 30-206, 2 TDs (1985)
Passing: Henry Burris, 24-42-323, 2 TDs (1994)
Receiving: Pete Righi, 7-100 (1975)
Penn State Nittany Lions
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 27-168, 1 TD (2007)
Passing: Anthony Morelli, 22-33-260, 3 TDs (2007)
Receiving: Terry Smith, 8-144, 1 TD (1991)
Year Site Result Temple Coach PSU?Coach
1931 Temple Stadium W, 12-0 Henry J. Miller Bob Higgins
1932 Temple Stadium W, 13-12 Henry J. Miller Bob Higgins
1940 Temple Stadium L, 18-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1943 Beaver Field L, 13-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1944 Temple Stadium L, 7-6 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1945 Beaver Field L, 27-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1946 Beaver Field L, 26-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1947 Temple Stadium L, 7-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1948 Beaver Field L, 47-0 Ray Morrison Bob Higgins
1949 Temple Stadium L, 28-7 Albert P. Kawal Joe Bedenk
1950 Beaver Field T, 7-7 Albert P. Kawal Rip?Engle
1952 Beaver Field L, 20-13 Albert P. Kawal Rip?Engle
1975 Franklin Field L, 26-25 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 31-30 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1977 Beaver Stadium L, 44-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1978 Veterans Stadium L, 10-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1979 Beaver Stadium L, 22-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1980 Veterans Stadium L, 50-7 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1981 Beaver Stadium L, 30-0 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1982 Beaver Stadium L, 31-14 Wayne Hardin Joe Paterno
1983 Veterans Stadium L, 23-18 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1985 Beaver Stadium L, 27-25 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1986 Beaver Stadium L, 45-15 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1987 Beaver Stadium L, 27-13 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1988 Veterans Stadium L, 45-9 Bruce Arians Joe Paterno
1989 Beaver Stadium L, 42-3 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1990 Beaver Stadium L, 48-10 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1991 Veterans Stadium L, 24-7 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1992 Beaver Stadium L, 49-8 Jerry Berndt Joe Paterno
1994 Franklin Field L, 48-21 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1995 Beaver Stadium L, 66-14 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1996 Giants Stadium L, 41-0 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
1997 Beaver Stadium L, 52-10 Ron Dickerson Joe Paterno
2003 Beaver Stadium L, 23-10 Bobby Wallace Joe Paterno
2006 Beaver Stadium L, 47-0 Al Golden Joe Paterno*
2007 Lincoln Financial Field L, 31-0 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2008 Beaver Stadium L, 45-3 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2009 Beaver Stadium L, 31-6 Al Golden Joe Paterno
2010 Beaver Stadium L, 22-13 Al Golden Joe Paterno
* coached by coordinators Tom Bradley and Galen Hall
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.
• “[The goal was just to] get out with a W. Just get out 2-0. How many teams will be 2-0 on Monday? Not a ton.”
— Steve Addazio following the win at Akron
UP NEXT
Temple travels to Maryland on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 12:30 p.m. The ACC?Network (ESPN?Game Plan and ESPN3.com) will televise the game.
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