Cincinnati Spoils Walker's Debut as Football Falls 38-20

Friday, October 11

Cincinnati, Ohio

8:30 p.m.

Temple University

0-6 , 0-3

Cincinnati

4-2 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

TEMPLE

Cincinnati

Photo by: Timothy D. Sofranko

Cincinnati Spoils Walker's Debut as Football Falls 38-20

10.12.13 | Football

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - Freshman P.J. Walker, making his first start for Temple, passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough as host Cincinnati held the Owls scoreless in the second half in posting a 38-20 win at Nippert Stadium Friday night in front of a nationally-televised (ESPN) audience.

Walker, who was effective in moving the Temple offense at times, completed 12 of 22 passes while tossing one interception. He also rushed nine times for 48 yards, but fumbled in the fourth quarter.

The Owls running tandem of junior Kenneth Harper (10 carries, 72 yards) and freshman Zaire Williams (7 carries, 42 yards, 1 TD) helped the Owls accumulate 377 total yards. Williams also had 51 yards

Sixth-year senior Brendon Kay was nearly flawless in lifting the Bearcats (4-2, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) to their first conference win. He completed 31 of 37 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 18 yards and another score. Sophomore RB Tion Green had a game-high 91 yards on 18 carries while scoring two touchdowns.

It was a high-scoring first half as each team flexed their muscles offensively.

The host Bearcats quickly jumped on top of the Owls as Green capped a 10-play opening drive with a 24-yard touchdown run. After failing to move the ball on its first two possessions, Walker, making his first collegiate start, connected with Jalen Fitpatrick for a 35-yard TD. The first-year QB faked a hand-off and rolled right before hurling a strike to the junior receiver in the back of the end zone.

After sophomore DB Will Hayes forced a fumble recovered by red-shirt freshman LB Haason Reddick on the ensuing kickoff, the Owls quickly struck. Williams found the end zone on a one-yard rush. The play was set up by big rushes by Williams (9 yds) and Kenneth Harper (12 yds). Freshman PK Nick Visco hit the right upright on the extra point to keep the score 13-7 in favor of the Cherry and White.

The Bearcats answered immediately as Kay led UC on a nine-play, 80-yard drive, connecting with senior WR Anthony McClung for a 25-yard TD reception to retake the lead, 14-13, early in the second quarter.

Temple was unable to move the ball on its next drive, but graduate student punter Paul Layton, who is turning in an exceptional year for the Owls, pinned the Bearcats at their one with a 65-yard punt.

Cincinnati moved the ball 40 yards before its drive stalled, and then returned the favor, pinning TU at its one.

Walker then made his first big mistake as Zach Edwards intercepted his first pass and returned it 20 yards to the Temple 12. Three plays later Kay rushed in from four-yards out to make it 21-13.

Walker then redeemed himself. Showing the full compliment of his tools, the Owls QB rushed 31 yards to midfield. Then after hitting Harper for a 16-yard pass play out of the backfield, he connected with former QB Juice Granger for a 3o-yard touchdown to cut the defict to 21-20

Kay methodically moved the Bearcats on an 11-play, 71-yard drive with Green capping it on a two-yard rushing TD to make it 28-20 with one minute remaining in the half.

Cincinnati's defense held the Owls to just 105 yards in total offense in the second half, while the Bearcat offense scored on its first two possessions to take a 38-20 lead. That would be all of the scoring for the game as neither team mounted much offense in the final quarter.

Sophomore LB Tyler Matakevich, who leads the nation in solo tackles, led all defenders with 15 tackles, including 11 solo stops.

Temple (0-6, 0-3 American Athletic Conference) will welcome Army (2-4 vs. Eastern Michigan on Saturday) for homecoming Saturday (1:00 p.m./ESPN3/1210 AM WPHT).