Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Temple Opens 2012 Football Season with Villanova
8.26.12 | Football
4th Annual Mayor's Cup Kicks Off on Friday at 7 p.m.
BUY TICKETS | GAME NOTES
STADIUM ADVISORY -- New stadium entry procedures
SECURITY ***NEW*** All NFL stadiums now wand EVERY fan upon entrance to the stadium.
Fans should plan ahead as this security precaution will add extra time to the entry process.
THIS WEEK
Temple opens its 114th season of football with the fourth annual Mayor's Cup game, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, against Villanova on Friday, August 31. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will participate in the coin toss. Mayor Nutter is also expected to present the Mayor's Cup Trophy to the winning team following the contest.
ESPN3 will broadcast the game live over the internet with Scott Graham calling the action, John Bunting providing color commentary, and Cat Whitehill reporting on the sidelines. The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WIP 610 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of second-year head coach Steve Addazio, the 2012 Temple squad returns 35 lettermen, including nine starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Top returning lettermen are senior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) who had 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries; junior WR Deon Miller (Highland Springs, Va.) had 253 yards and three touchdowns on 18 receptions. Junior QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) was 30-of-50 for 463 yards and six touchdowns. Senior DB Justin Gildea (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) is the top defender with 51 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions.
In the final 2011 national rankings, Temple was ranked among the nation's Top 25 in 10 categories, including No. 3 in scoring defense (13.92) [behind Alabama and LSU], No. 7 in rushing offense (256.54), No. 8 in kickoff returns (25.42), No. 12 in total defense (311.77), No. 14 in net punting (39.39), and No. 15 in pass defense (187.85). Individually, RB Matt Brown was No. 25 in punt returns (10.11), No. 30 in all-purpose running (139.08), and No. 35 in kickoff returns (25.11). PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) was No. 36 in field goals (1.2). The Owls received votes in the final USA?Today Coaches' Poll, ranking No. 34th nationally.
Villanova, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision Colonial Athletic Association, is under the tutelege of 33rd-year coach Andy Talley. The Wildcats return 21 starters to their multiple offense and 3-3-5 defense.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA CONNECTIONS
As the defensive coordinator at New Hampshire, TU inside linebackers coach Sean McGowan faced Villanova in the 2009 FCS first round (46-7), the year the Wildcats won the national championship.
Seniors PK Brandon McManus and Villanova DB Ronnie Atkins are former teammates at North Penn HS.
Junior QB Chris Coyer's younger twin sisters— Caroline and Katherine (19)— are freshman guards on the Villanova women's basketball team.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA— THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 33rd meeting between the Owls and the Wildcats since 1908, renewing a 102-year old cross-town rivalry. The game is the last in a series of four Mayor's Cup games. The Wildcats hold a 16-14-2 series advantage.
After the teams' first meeting in 1908 (a 12-0 Villanova win at an unknown site), the teams did not meet again until 1928. TU and VU played 16 consecutive seasons from 1928 to 1943. After a 27-year hiatus, the schools met again in 1970 and proceeded to play every season thereafter until 1980. The Owls won seven of the prior eight meetings from 1972-79.
In Temple's first-ever home game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 6, 2003, Villanova claimed a wild 23-20 double overtime win. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Wildcats converted two field goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime before 30,090 fans. Both squads made touchdowns in their first overtime drives. Temple missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. VU then won on a 37-yard field goal.
In the 2009 season opener, Villanova captured a 27-24 win over Temple after a fourth-quarter comeback to win the inaugural Mayor's Cup. The 27,759 fans that showed up to watch the city football clash were treated to a thrilling comeback. A fourth-quarter rally capped off by a 32-yard field goal by Villanova's Nick Yako as time expired.
In 2010, sophomore PK Brandon McManus connected on his career-high fourth field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with three seconds remaining, and Justin Gildea took a Villanova forward lateral into the end zone to cap a Temple 31-24 come-from-behind win in the 2010 Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. The crowd of 32,193, the second largest to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field, was treated to a true nail-biter as the lead changed hands twice in the final two minutes.
Last fall, 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 in front of a 32,638 partisan Owl crowd. It marked the second largest crowd to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field. Junior Bernard Pierce became just the third Temple player to have three 100-yard games, rushing for 147 yards on 20 carries. He also 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, and 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.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Villanova: 14-16-2
Temple in games at?Temple: 8-13-2
Temple in games at Villanova: 6-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-2
First meeting in series: 1908 at unknown stadium, L, 0-12
Last meeting in series: 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field, W, 42-7
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 20-147, 3 TDs (2011)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 19-28-317, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Gerald Lucear, 8-175, 3 TDs (1979)
Villanova Wildcats
Rushing: Joseph Pezelski, 8-147 (1942)
Passing: Drew Gordon, 24-42-395, 3 TDs (1970)
Receiving: Mike Siani, 9-194, 3 TDs (1970)
Year Site Result Temple Coach VU Coach
1908 unknown L, 0-12 Dr. Frank White Fred Crolius
1928 Franklin Field T, 0-0 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1929 Temple Stadium L, 0-15 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1930 Municiple Stadium L, 7-8 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1931 Temple Stadium W, 13-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1932 Temple Stadium L, 0-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1933 Temple Stadium L, 0-24 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1934 Temple Stadium W, 22-0 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1935 Temple Stadium L, 14-21 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1936 Temple Stadium W, 6-0 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1937 Temple Stadium L, 0-33 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1938 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1939 Temple Stadium L, 6-12 Fred Swan Maurice Smith
1940 Temple Stadium W, 28-0 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-13 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1942 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1943 Temple Stadium L, 7-34 Ray Morrison Jordan Olivar
1970 Temple Stadium L, 26-31 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1971 Temple Stadium T, 13-13 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1972 Villanova Stadium W, 12-10 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1973 Villanova Stadium W, 34-0 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1974 Veterans Stadium W, 17-7 Wayne Hardin James Weaver
1975 Veterans Stadium W, 41-3 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 7-24 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1977 Villanova Stadium W, 28-15 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1978 Veterans Stadium W, 27-17 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1979 Villanova Stadium W, 42-10 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1980 Villanova Stadium L, 7-50 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
2003 Lincoln Financial Field L, 20-23 (2ot) Bobby Wallace Andy Talley
2009 Lincoln Financial Field L, 24-27 Al Golden Andy Talley
2010 Lincoln Financial Field W, 31-24 Al Golden Andy Talley
2011 Lincoln Financial Field W, 42-7 Steve Addazio Andy Talley
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• After playing the last five seasons in the Mid-American Conference, Temple joins the BIG EAST Conference in 2012. The Owls previously played in the BIG EAST [1991-2004] for football only. All other sports, including Temple's men's and women's basketball programs, will leave the Atlantic 10 Conference and begin play in the BIG EAST starting in 2013-14. This will be the first time in Temple's history in which its intercollegiate athletic programs will compete in one conference.
• In 2011, Temple was bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons and just the sixth time in school history. TU also earned bowl eligibility during the 1934 (1935 Sugar Bowl), 1979 (Garden State Bowl), 1990 (7-4 record, no bowl bid), 2009 (EagleBank Bowl), 2010 (8-4 record, no bowl bid), and 2011 (Gildan New Mexico Bowl) seasons.
• Five of Temple's 2012 opponents— Penn State (TicketCity), Rutgers (New Era Pinstripe), Pittsburgh (BBVA Compass), Louisville (Belk), and Cincinnati (AutoZone Liberty)— participated in bowls in 2011.
• "I just think this is terrific for Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the greatest sports city in the country, and for us to be a part, to be a model for that sports city, playing this game is critically important. Villanova and Temple is a game we'd love to see continue."
— Steve Addazio at Mayor's Cup press conference, 8/23/12
UP NEXT
Temple continues its two-game homestand with Maryland on Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for Noon at Lincoln Financial Field. ESPNU will televise the game.
STADIUM ADVISORY -- New stadium entry procedures
SECURITY ***NEW*** All NFL stadiums now wand EVERY fan upon entrance to the stadium.
Fans should plan ahead as this security precaution will add extra time to the entry process.
THIS WEEK
Temple opens its 114th season of football with the fourth annual Mayor's Cup game, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, against Villanova on Friday, August 31. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will participate in the coin toss. Mayor Nutter is also expected to present the Mayor's Cup Trophy to the winning team following the contest.
ESPN3 will broadcast the game live over the internet with Scott Graham calling the action, John Bunting providing color commentary, and Cat Whitehill reporting on the sidelines. The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WIP 610 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of second-year head coach Steve Addazio, the 2012 Temple squad returns 35 lettermen, including nine starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Top returning lettermen are senior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.) who had 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries; junior WR Deon Miller (Highland Springs, Va.) had 253 yards and three touchdowns on 18 receptions. Junior QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) was 30-of-50 for 463 yards and six touchdowns. Senior DB Justin Gildea (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) is the top defender with 51 tackles, three sacks, and three interceptions.
In the final 2011 national rankings, Temple was ranked among the nation's Top 25 in 10 categories, including No. 3 in scoring defense (13.92) [behind Alabama and LSU], No. 7 in rushing offense (256.54), No. 8 in kickoff returns (25.42), No. 12 in total defense (311.77), No. 14 in net punting (39.39), and No. 15 in pass defense (187.85). Individually, RB Matt Brown was No. 25 in punt returns (10.11), No. 30 in all-purpose running (139.08), and No. 35 in kickoff returns (25.11). PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) was No. 36 in field goals (1.2). The Owls received votes in the final USA?Today Coaches' Poll, ranking No. 34th nationally.
Villanova, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision Colonial Athletic Association, is under the tutelege of 33rd-year coach Andy Talley. The Wildcats return 21 starters to their multiple offense and 3-3-5 defense.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA CONNECTIONS
As the defensive coordinator at New Hampshire, TU inside linebackers coach Sean McGowan faced Villanova in the 2009 FCS first round (46-7), the year the Wildcats won the national championship.
Seniors PK Brandon McManus and Villanova DB Ronnie Atkins are former teammates at North Penn HS.
Junior QB Chris Coyer's younger twin sisters— Caroline and Katherine (19)— are freshman guards on the Villanova women's basketball team.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA— THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 33rd meeting between the Owls and the Wildcats since 1908, renewing a 102-year old cross-town rivalry. The game is the last in a series of four Mayor's Cup games. The Wildcats hold a 16-14-2 series advantage.
After the teams' first meeting in 1908 (a 12-0 Villanova win at an unknown site), the teams did not meet again until 1928. TU and VU played 16 consecutive seasons from 1928 to 1943. After a 27-year hiatus, the schools met again in 1970 and proceeded to play every season thereafter until 1980. The Owls won seven of the prior eight meetings from 1972-79.
In Temple's first-ever home game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 6, 2003, Villanova claimed a wild 23-20 double overtime win. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Wildcats converted two field goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime before 30,090 fans. Both squads made touchdowns in their first overtime drives. Temple missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. VU then won on a 37-yard field goal.
In the 2009 season opener, Villanova captured a 27-24 win over Temple after a fourth-quarter comeback to win the inaugural Mayor's Cup. The 27,759 fans that showed up to watch the city football clash were treated to a thrilling comeback. A fourth-quarter rally capped off by a 32-yard field goal by Villanova's Nick Yako as time expired.
In 2010, sophomore PK Brandon McManus connected on his career-high fourth field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with three seconds remaining, and Justin Gildea took a Villanova forward lateral into the end zone to cap a Temple 31-24 come-from-behind win in the 2010 Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. The crowd of 32,193, the second largest to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field, was treated to a true nail-biter as the lead changed hands twice in the final two minutes.
Last fall, 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 in front of a 32,638 partisan Owl crowd. It marked the second largest crowd to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field. Junior Bernard Pierce became just the third Temple player to have three 100-yard games, rushing for 147 yards on 20 carries. He also 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, and 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.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Villanova: 14-16-2
Temple in games at?Temple: 8-13-2
Temple in games at Villanova: 6-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-2
First meeting in series: 1908 at unknown stadium, L, 0-12
Last meeting in series: 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field, W, 42-7
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Bernard Pierce, 20-147, 3 TDs (2011)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 19-28-317, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Gerald Lucear, 8-175, 3 TDs (1979)
Villanova Wildcats
Rushing: Joseph Pezelski, 8-147 (1942)
Passing: Drew Gordon, 24-42-395, 3 TDs (1970)
Receiving: Mike Siani, 9-194, 3 TDs (1970)
Year Site Result Temple Coach VU Coach
1908 unknown L, 0-12 Dr. Frank White Fred Crolius
1928 Franklin Field T, 0-0 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1929 Temple Stadium L, 0-15 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1930 Municiple Stadium L, 7-8 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1931 Temple Stadium W, 13-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1932 Temple Stadium L, 0-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1933 Temple Stadium L, 0-24 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1934 Temple Stadium W, 22-0 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1935 Temple Stadium L, 14-21 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1936 Temple Stadium W, 6-0 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1937 Temple Stadium L, 0-33 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1938 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1939 Temple Stadium L, 6-12 Fred Swan Maurice Smith
1940 Temple Stadium W, 28-0 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-13 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1942 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1943 Temple Stadium L, 7-34 Ray Morrison Jordan Olivar
1970 Temple Stadium L, 26-31 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1971 Temple Stadium T, 13-13 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1972 Villanova Stadium W, 12-10 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1973 Villanova Stadium W, 34-0 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1974 Veterans Stadium W, 17-7 Wayne Hardin James Weaver
1975 Veterans Stadium W, 41-3 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 7-24 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1977 Villanova Stadium W, 28-15 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1978 Veterans Stadium W, 27-17 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1979 Villanova Stadium W, 42-10 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1980 Villanova Stadium L, 7-50 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
2003 Lincoln Financial Field L, 20-23 (2ot) Bobby Wallace Andy Talley
2009 Lincoln Financial Field L, 24-27 Al Golden Andy Talley
2010 Lincoln Financial Field W, 31-24 Al Golden Andy Talley
2011 Lincoln Financial Field W, 42-7 Steve Addazio Andy Talley
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• After playing the last five seasons in the Mid-American Conference, Temple joins the BIG EAST Conference in 2012. The Owls previously played in the BIG EAST [1991-2004] for football only. All other sports, including Temple's men's and women's basketball programs, will leave the Atlantic 10 Conference and begin play in the BIG EAST starting in 2013-14. This will be the first time in Temple's history in which its intercollegiate athletic programs will compete in one conference.
• In 2011, Temple was bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons and just the sixth time in school history. TU also earned bowl eligibility during the 1934 (1935 Sugar Bowl), 1979 (Garden State Bowl), 1990 (7-4 record, no bowl bid), 2009 (EagleBank Bowl), 2010 (8-4 record, no bowl bid), and 2011 (Gildan New Mexico Bowl) seasons.
• Five of Temple's 2012 opponents— Penn State (TicketCity), Rutgers (New Era Pinstripe), Pittsburgh (BBVA Compass), Louisville (Belk), and Cincinnati (AutoZone Liberty)— participated in bowls in 2011.
• "I just think this is terrific for Philadelphia. Philadelphia is the greatest sports city in the country, and for us to be a part, to be a model for that sports city, playing this game is critically important. Villanova and Temple is a game we'd love to see continue."
— Steve Addazio at Mayor's Cup press conference, 8/23/12
UP NEXT
Temple continues its two-game homestand with Maryland on Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for Noon at Lincoln Financial Field. ESPNU will televise the game.
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