Temple Hosts Annual Cherry and White Spring Game

Temple Hosts Annual Cherry and White Spring Game

4.22.17 | Football

buy tickets Schedule Scoring Plays Offensive Stats Defensive Stats Geoff Collins Press Conference Delvon Randall Press Conference Chris Myarick Press Conference Chris Myarick Awarded Scholarship Photo Gallery

PHILADELPHIA – Temple's Cherry and White Spring Game sponsored by Temple University Bookstore was held today at Edberg Olson Hall, Temple Football's practice facility. The squad was separated into two teams and the Greatness Doesn't Quit (#GDQ) team ended up victorious as they defeated the #TempleTUFF team 17-14.

This was the first spring game under new head coach Geoff Collins who was hired last December. Rain could not prevent the loyal fans from coming out to support their beloved Owls as the bleachers were packed all around Chodoff Field.

The two Temple teams were divided evenly as TempleTUFF was coached by offensive coordinator David Patenaude against GDQ led by defensive coordinator Taver Johnson. Both teams warmed up for 45 minutes before the game kicked off at noon.

After four scoreless drives to start of the game, Jake Geiger nailed a 39-yard field goal to put #TempleTUFF up 3-0.

#GDQ answered back at the beginning of the second quarter when redshirt junior QB Frank Nutile threw a 37-yard strike to redshirt freshman WR Freddie Johnson. Kicker Aaron Boumerhi tacked on the extra point to put TempleTUFF up 7-3. TempleTUFF then got a turnover as graduate transfer DB Mike Jones picked off redshirt sophomore QB Logan Marchi midway through the second quarter.

In a low scoring first half, LB Shaun Bradley led #TempleTUFF with four tackles while DL Zach Mesday had two sacks for #GDQ.

#TempleTUFF started with the ball as Marchi completed a beautiful strike to sophomore WR Isaiah Wright for 23-yards. Later in the drive, LB Sam Kramer forced and recovered a fumble for #GDQ. QB Anthony Russo then led #GDQ on a scoring drive which was capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Jager Gardner. Geiger's extra point helped #GDQ take the lead 10-7.

Just before the third quarter ended, redshirt freshamn RB Tyliek Raynor broke out a 49-yard run to put #TempleTUFF in great field position. To begin the fourth quarter, Nutile extended the momentum as he rushed in a 16-yard touchdown. Boumerhi's extra point helped #TempleTUFF get the lead back 14-10.

#GDQ came roaring back, as they capped off the following drive with an 18-yard touchdown from freshman QB Todd Centeio to redshirt junior Marshall Ellick. Geiger's extra point helped put #GDQ on top 17-14.

With some time left, Marchi tried to lead a comeback drive for #TempleTUFF, as he got things going when he completed a 25-yard strike to redshirt sophomore WR Travon Williams. The effort by Marchi fell short as his last second Hail Mary was intercepted by #GDQ.

Both teams wore a helmet sticker with the letters "WH" in a diamond. That sticker, along with a moment of silence prior to the game, was in honor of Wayne Hardin, Temple all-time winningest coach and College Football Hall of Famer who passed away on April 12.
On Friday night at the First Annual Champions Dinner, the team received its championship rings and other offseason awards were also handed out. Junior safety Delvon Randall was awarded the coveted single-digit jersey which Temple gives to the team's toughest players (Randall went from #23 to #2).
At halftime, the 2016 seniors took the field and were given their 2016 American Athletic Conference Championship rings.
Also at halftime, redshirt junior TE Chris Myarick was honored as the most valuable walk-on. He was also awarded a full scholarship.