Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Hosts Toledo in Breast Cancer Awareness Game on Saturday
9.26.11 | Football
Kickoff is set for Noon at Lincoln Financial Field
Gamenotes in PDF
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
Stewart
Pierce
THIS WEEK
Temple hosts Toledo in MAC action at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Oct. 1 during the Owls' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. Kickoff on ESPN Plus (shown locally on 6ABC) is set for Noon. The game will also appear on ESPN3.com and ESPN Game Plan.
Calling the television action are Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Doug Graber (analyst). The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Temple football fans will have several opportunities for discounted tickets to Saturday's MAC showdown at Lincoln Financial Field. Wear pink to the game (to support Breast Cancer Awareness) and get in for only $5. Bring a canned food item to the stadium and get in for only $5. Show your Phillies' playoff ticket for Saturday's game– or your Eagles' ticket for the game on Sunday vs. San Francisco– and get in to the Temple game for only $5.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-1 overall and 1-0 in MAC play after a 38-7 win at Maryland. 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 496 yards and a national-best 12 touchdowns on 87 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 215 yards on 16 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 13-of-17 for 186 yards. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 29 tackles, two break-ups, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 25 in nine categories, including No. 1 in scoring defense (7.75), No. 2 in kickoff returns (35.00), No. 4 in sacks (3.75), and No. 9 in pass efficiency defense (96.09). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce leads the nation in rushing touchdowns (12) and scoring (18.00 ppg) while ranking No. 10 in rushing (124.00). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 4 in kickoff returns (34.67) and No. 15 in punt returns (12.71). senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 12 in tackles for loss (1.75). The Owls received a vote in this week's USA Today Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Toledo, under the guidance of third-year head coach Tim Beckman, is 1-3 overall following a heart-breaking 33-30 OT loss at Syracuse. This is the MAC opener for Toledo who was picked to win the MAC West Division and the 2011 MAC Championship. The Rockets return 17 starters to their spread offense and multiple defense.
Senior RB Adonis Thomas is the Rockets' top rusher with 227 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries. Junior WR Eric Page has 38 receptions for 432 yards and three touchdowns. Junior QB Austin Dantin is 54-of-87 for 624 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore QB Terrance Owens is 40-of-70 for 502 yards and three touchdowns. Junior LB Robert Bell leads all defenders with 26 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Toledo ranks No. 6 in punt returns (18.40) No. 13 in turnover margin (1.00), and No. 26 in passing offense (286.75). Junior WR Eric Page is No. 4 in all-purpose running (207.25), No. 6 in receptions per game (9.50), and No. 15 in receiving yards per game (108.00).
TEMPLE-TOLEDO CONNECTIONS
Temple defensive coordinator Chuck Heater coached at Toledo in 1977-81. Her worked with the running backs for the first two seasons before taking over the secondary his last two seasons.
Temple has no players from Ohio on its roster. Toledo's roster has two players from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia area.
TEMPLE-TOLEDO: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 10th meeting between the Owls and the Rockets and their second in MAC?play. In series action, Toledo leads Temple, 6-3.
In the teams' last meeting in 2009, Temple claimed a 40-24 win at the Glass Bowl during its nine-game win streak. Then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 40 carries in the victory.
On Sept. 17, 2005, Toledo captured a 42-17 win at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was the Owls' first with a Mid-American Conference opponent since announcing they had joined the league. The Owls played as an affiliate member in 2005 and 2006 before gaining full membership in 2007.
Temple's first win in the series came in 1984. The Owls defeated the Rockets, 35-6, in the final Temple football game held at Atlantic City Convention Hall. The game featured eight-yard endzones due to space constraints.
Temple captured a 13-12 win at Toledo in the 1987 season opener.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Toledo: 3-6
Temple in games at Temple: 1-2
Temple in games at Toledo: 2-4
First meeting in series: 1961 at Temple Stadium; L, 15-14
Last meeting in series: 2009 at Glass Bowl; W, 40-24
Year Site Results TU Coach Toledo Coach
1961 Temple Stadium L, 14-15 George Makris Clive H. Rush
1962 at Toledo L, 0-13 George Makris Clive H. Rush
1984 AC Convention Hall W, 35-6 Bruce Arians Dan Simrell
1987 at Toledo W, 13-12 Bruce Arians Dan Simrell
1998 at Toledo L, 12-24 Bobby Wallace Gary Pinkell
2001 Franklin Field L. 7-33 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2004 Glass Bowl L, 17-45 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2005 Lincoln Financial Field L, 17-42 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2009 Glass Bowl W, 40-24 Al Golden Tim Beckman
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 40-212, 3 TD (2009)
Passing: Lee Saltz, 7-14-174, 2 TD (1984)
Receiving: Kenyatta Carter, 5-113 (1998)
Toledo Rockets
Rushing: David Rohrs, 29-115 (1987)
Passing: B. Gradkowski, 22-27-276, 2 TD (2004)
Receiving: Carl Ford, 4-112, 2 TD (2001)
COMEDY OR FOOTBALL
Comedian Bill Cosby lettered for the Owls in 1961, catching one touchdown pass in 1962. The 1961 Owls lost a close one at Toledo, 15-14. The next year, Toledo shut out the Owls, 13-0, in a game that a young halfback named Bill Cosby missed.
Cosby did not want to miss the game, but as he explained to coach George Makris and Athletic Director Ernie Casale, he had his big break in show business coming up at Town Hall in Philadelphia on Friday, the night before the game. Cosby was to appear on the program with Peter, Paul & Mary and couldn't miss the opportunity.
Cosby begged to be able to fly to Toledo on Saturday in time for the game, but the coach and A.D. had to explain to him that it couldn't be done, and as painful as it might be, he would have to decide between being a football player or a comedian.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
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.
• “The style which we played today was Temple tough and Philadelphia proud. We are an awfully tough and competitive football team; we just have to keep growing each week. Our growth wasn't just in X's and O's, our growth was in the maturity of our team and their responding to each play.”
— Steve Addazio following the win at Maryland
UP NEXT
Temple will make its first-ever trip to Muncie, Ind., on Oct. 8 to visit Ball State for a MAC game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium.
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
Stewart
Pierce
THIS WEEK
Temple hosts Toledo in MAC action at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Oct. 1 during the Owls' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. Kickoff on ESPN Plus (shown locally on 6ABC) is set for Noon. The game will also appear on ESPN3.com and ESPN Game Plan.
Calling the television action are Michael Reghi (play-by-play) and Doug Graber (analyst). The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Temple football fans will have several opportunities for discounted tickets to Saturday's MAC showdown at Lincoln Financial Field. Wear pink to the game (to support Breast Cancer Awareness) and get in for only $5. Bring a canned food item to the stadium and get in for only $5. Show your Phillies' playoff ticket for Saturday's game– or your Eagles' ticket for the game on Sunday vs. San Francisco– and get in to the Temple game for only $5.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-1 overall and 1-0 in MAC play after a 38-7 win at Maryland. 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 496 yards and a national-best 12 touchdowns on 87 carries. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is the top receiver with 215 yards on 16 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 13-of-17 for 186 yards. Senior LB Stephen Johnson (Norristown, Pa.) leads the defense with 29 tackles, two break-ups, and a forced fumble.
In the national rankings, Temple ranks among the nation's Top 25 in nine categories, including No. 1 in scoring defense (7.75), No. 2 in kickoff returns (35.00), No. 4 in sacks (3.75), and No. 9 in pass efficiency defense (96.09). Individually, junior RB Bernard Pierce leads the nation in rushing touchdowns (12) and scoring (18.00 ppg) while ranking No. 10 in rushing (124.00). Junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) is No. 4 in kickoff returns (34.67) and No. 15 in punt returns (12.71). senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is No. 12 in tackles for loss (1.75). The Owls received a vote in this week's USA Today Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Toledo, under the guidance of third-year head coach Tim Beckman, is 1-3 overall following a heart-breaking 33-30 OT loss at Syracuse. This is the MAC opener for Toledo who was picked to win the MAC West Division and the 2011 MAC Championship. The Rockets return 17 starters to their spread offense and multiple defense.
Senior RB Adonis Thomas is the Rockets' top rusher with 227 yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries. Junior WR Eric Page has 38 receptions for 432 yards and three touchdowns. Junior QB Austin Dantin is 54-of-87 for 624 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore QB Terrance Owens is 40-of-70 for 502 yards and three touchdowns. Junior LB Robert Bell leads all defenders with 26 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Toledo ranks No. 6 in punt returns (18.40) No. 13 in turnover margin (1.00), and No. 26 in passing offense (286.75). Junior WR Eric Page is No. 4 in all-purpose running (207.25), No. 6 in receptions per game (9.50), and No. 15 in receiving yards per game (108.00).
TEMPLE-TOLEDO CONNECTIONS
Temple defensive coordinator Chuck Heater coached at Toledo in 1977-81. Her worked with the running backs for the first two seasons before taking over the secondary his last two seasons.
Temple has no players from Ohio on its roster. Toledo's roster has two players from Pennsylvania, but none from the Philadelphia area.
TEMPLE-TOLEDO: THE SERIES
Saturday's game is the 10th meeting between the Owls and the Rockets and their second in MAC?play. In series action, Toledo leads Temple, 6-3.
In the teams' last meeting in 2009, Temple claimed a 40-24 win at the Glass Bowl during its nine-game win streak. Then-freshman RB Bernard Pierce rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 40 carries in the victory.
On Sept. 17, 2005, Toledo captured a 42-17 win at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was the Owls' first with a Mid-American Conference opponent since announcing they had joined the league. The Owls played as an affiliate member in 2005 and 2006 before gaining full membership in 2007.
Temple's first win in the series came in 1984. The Owls defeated the Rockets, 35-6, in the final Temple football game held at Atlantic City Convention Hall. The game featured eight-yard endzones due to space constraints.
Temple captured a 13-12 win at Toledo in the 1987 season opener.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Toledo: 3-6
Temple in games at Temple: 1-2
Temple in games at Toledo: 2-4
First meeting in series: 1961 at Temple Stadium; L, 15-14
Last meeting in series: 2009 at Glass Bowl; W, 40-24
Year Site Results TU Coach Toledo Coach
1961 Temple Stadium L, 14-15 George Makris Clive H. Rush
1962 at Toledo L, 0-13 George Makris Clive H. Rush
1984 AC Convention Hall W, 35-6 Bruce Arians Dan Simrell
1987 at Toledo W, 13-12 Bruce Arians Dan Simrell
1998 at Toledo L, 12-24 Bobby Wallace Gary Pinkell
2001 Franklin Field L. 7-33 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2004 Glass Bowl L, 17-45 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2005 Lincoln Financial Field L, 17-42 Bobby Wallace Tom Amstutz
2009 Glass Bowl W, 40-24 Al Golden Tim Beckman
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 40-212, 3 TD (2009)
Passing: Lee Saltz, 7-14-174, 2 TD (1984)
Receiving: Kenyatta Carter, 5-113 (1998)
Toledo Rockets
Rushing: David Rohrs, 29-115 (1987)
Passing: B. Gradkowski, 22-27-276, 2 TD (2004)
Receiving: Carl Ford, 4-112, 2 TD (2001)
COMEDY OR FOOTBALL
Comedian Bill Cosby lettered for the Owls in 1961, catching one touchdown pass in 1962. The 1961 Owls lost a close one at Toledo, 15-14. The next year, Toledo shut out the Owls, 13-0, in a game that a young halfback named Bill Cosby missed.
Cosby did not want to miss the game, but as he explained to coach George Makris and Athletic Director Ernie Casale, he had his big break in show business coming up at Town Hall in Philadelphia on Friday, the night before the game. Cosby was to appear on the program with Peter, Paul & Mary and couldn't miss the opportunity.
Cosby begged to be able to fly to Toledo on Saturday in time for the game, but the coach and A.D. had to explain to him that it couldn't be done, and as painful as it might be, he would have to decide between being a football player or a comedian.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
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.
• “The style which we played today was Temple tough and Philadelphia proud. We are an awfully tough and competitive football team; we just have to keep growing each week. Our growth wasn't just in X's and O's, our growth was in the maturity of our team and their responding to each play.”
— Steve Addazio following the win at Maryland
UP NEXT
Temple will make its first-ever trip to Muncie, Ind., on Oct. 8 to visit Ball State for a MAC game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium.
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