PLAYERS OF THE WEEKEND

National

 

Caleb Sturgis, who didn't even start the season as Florida's kicker, kicked a 27-yard field goal with 9 seconds left to give the defending national champions a 23-20 home win over Arkansas.

Local

 

Delaware Valley's defense, which came up with four turnovers and gave up 141 yards in a 23-0 win over visiting Wilkes.

AROUND TOWN

Temple 27, Army 13

 

For the first time in 24 years, the Owls have won four straight.

Funny how that opening loss to Villanova seems so long ago.

In front of 14,275 at Homecoming, the Owls (4-2) led by 13 after 17 minutes. The Cadets (3-4) would pull even with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. It was still tied with 9 minutes to go, when first-year Army coach Rich Ellerson went for it on fourth-and-1 from his 24. After not making it on third-and-1. Holy Barry Switzer. Army, by the way, had also not converted a third-and-1 on its previous possession. Anyway, a quarterback sneak came up short. Three plays later, following a challenge by Temple coach Al Golden that got an interception nullified, the Owls were up 20-13.

On the next drive, Temple recovered a fumble at the 1. A play later, this one was over.

Should we also point out that Army elected to kick a field goal late in the first half on fourth-and-1 from the TU 6, to get within 10?

True freshman Bernard Pierce, on his way to a fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game, had to be taken off on a stretcher just before intermission with a shoulder injury. He wouldn't return. Golden indicated afterward that the preliminary reports were positive.

The Owls are at Toledo (4-3, 2-1 MAC) this week. They haven't won five in a row since 1979. They're tied atop the East Division with Ohio, at 3-0.

"It shows . . . the fourth quarter isn't too big for us," Golden said. "To not lose in a month is a big deal."

Army, coming off an overtime win against Vanderbilt, was trying to get above .500 for the first time in 13 years.

Pierce carried 11 times for 65 yards, 23 on the first snap. Kee-ayre Griffin and Lamar McPherson combined for 57 yards on 18 tries.