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With three seconds left in the game, Temple´s Brandon McManus (19) kicks an 18-yard field goal to give the Owls a 34-32 victory over Miami of Ohio, their seventh straight win.
JASON MELCHER / Staff Photographer
With three seconds left in the game, Temple's Brandon McManus (19) kicks an 18-yard field goal to give the Owls a 34-32 victory over Miami of Ohio, their seventh straight win.
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Posted on Fri, Nov. 6, 2009


Temple wins seventh straight on late field goal

By Kevin Tatum

Inquirer Staff Writer

Temple's back was against the wall last night at Lincoln Financial Field.

One-win Miami of Ohio had just scored a touchdown with 2 minutes, 36 seconds remaining to take its first lead of the game, and the Owls needed a scoring drive of their own to preserve their longest winning streak in years.

With an announced crowd of 13,827 on hand, the Owls pulled it off. They went 63 yards in five plays before freshman Brandon McManus kicked an 18-yard field goal with three seconds left to earn a 34-32 victory.

"That's the first of my career," McManus said of the game-winning kick. "I have to give thanks to our offense for giving me the chance. I just had to keep my composure."

With its seventh straight win, Temple improved to 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference, where the Owls are atop the East Division. Miami fell to 1-9 and 1-5.

Temple's winning streak is its longest since 1973, when the Owls won eight in a row to end a 9-1 season. The last year the Owls had as many as seven wins overall was 1990, when the team finished 7-4.

"I'm just really proud of our guys," Temple coach Al Golden said. "I kept telling the staff and the guys that if you want to be a good team, and you want to have one of these streaks, there's going to be games like this in there. I'm so proud of our team for the way they responded."

The statistical leaders were Owls running back Bernard Pierce, who rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries, and Miami quarterback Zac Dysert, who completed 31 of 51 passes for 426 yards and three scores.

With an 18-point lead entering the fourth period, Temple saw Miami score three fourth-quarter touchdowns, capped by Thomas Merriweather's 2-yard run for a 32-31 lead. A two-point conversion pass by Dysert failed.

Temple will play at Akron next Friday night.

After Temple stopped Miami on the first possession of the game, redshirt sophomore Chester Stewart trotted out to play quarterback for the Owls. Redshirt junior Vaughn Charlton had started in each of the Owls' previous games.

"Vaughn didn't have a good day last week, and Chester has really been improving," said Golden, who would not speculate on which quarterback would get the call against Akron.

With Pierce scoring from 1 and 7 yards out - Temple also got a 1-yard touchdown from holder Charlton on a fake field goal - the Owls built a 21-3 advantage early in the second quarter.

Dysert rallied his team to within 21-13 at the break.

"We weren't too happy or too down on ourselves," Temple linebacker Eli Joseph said. "We expected it to be a four-quarter game, and it was."

Notes. Temple and Miami broke in a new playing surface at the Linc. After the Owls' win over Army on Oct. 17, the stadium's sod was ripped up and replaced. Both Temple and the Eagles had been on the road since then.

Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.

Comments   
Posted 06:39 AM, 11/06/2009
hockeyoscar
Good win...but the Eagles and Giants broke in the new turf on Sunday.
Posted 08:21 AM, 11/06/2009
Njtod10
Um the Eagles and Giants just played there on Sunday?????????????
Posted 08:28 AM, 11/06/2009
Ruffian
Great turn-around for the Temple football program. Congrats to Coach Golden and the players. Looks like the Owls are (Little Caesars Pizza?) Bowl bound!
Posted 08:32 AM, 11/06/2009
brian stewart
13,827 WHAT DID THEY DO COUNT EVERBODY THREE TIMES, TEMPLE COULD PLAY 10 HOME GAMES AND NOT HAVE 10.000 THOUSAND PEOPLE
Posted 09:21 AM, 11/06/2009
pieman
Nice win baby!!! Never trust a man with 2 first names!!!
Posted 09:40 AM, 11/06/2009
iamdante
Another great win by the Owls. Congrats. A terrific crowd last night saw a well-played college football game. Glad I was there. This football program is a great hometown story that the local media has been ignoring.
Posted 10:10 AM, 11/06/2009
The Time Is Now
Hate on TU if it makes you feel good.
Posted 10:18 AM, 11/06/2009
madkins7
THE PHILLY MEDIA LOVES TO TAKE PICTURES FROM THE TEMPLE SIDELINE FACING THE AWAY TEAM FROM OHIO ON A THURSDAY NIGHT....
Posted 10:20 AM, 11/06/2009
TheManTheMyth
13,827? I guess Temple called for a "Green Out" because looking at the seats in the picture all I see is Green
Posted 10:42 AM, 11/06/2009
ameadie
I did not go Temple. But I recognize something very special and too unique in College football is occurring in Philly. I jumped on the Temple football bandwagon a couple of years ago when there were very few people in it. Football fans that will not get on it are missing out. This is a great ride that has only just begun if Temple keeps Al Golden. Sooner or later the football student athletes will be playing in front of the large crowds they have earned through their hard work and dedication. I call on Philly sports fans to make it sooner, you will be glad you did.
Posted 11:32 AM, 11/06/2009
Landfill
Temple needs to do a better job of promoting their schedule - I didn't know about last nights game. MORE ADVERTISEMENTS PLEASE FOR HOME GAMES!
Posted 12:20 PM, 11/06/2009
xxx
Way to go Owls! Make it 8 in a row! And for those who need to hate, continue hating. It only shortens your life expectancy.
Posted 12:58 PM, 11/06/2009
Leron
There were prob 1000 people there.
Posted 01:12 PM, 11/06/2009
WOLBC
They need their own stadium near campus maybe alittle north of downtown and a facility that could be used for soccer and football. I lived in West Oak Lane growing up and I always went to see Temple play. College football is great to be a part of. I watched the Temple Navy game and that running back is amazing. He will be making some noise in the next couple of years! Go Owls.
Posted 01:22 PM, 11/06/2009
lonestar2000
brian stewart, Leron, Myth ... you weren't anywhere near it so just shut your pie holes. You must live miserables lives if all you can do is randomly criticize without knowing what you are talking about.
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