Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008, 10:33 PM | 8 comments |
 

Five wins to go
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Steve Manieri's touchdown catch was one of two Temple scores in the first quarter. (Craig Ruttle/AP)
Okay, anyone see that coming?

I must admit I didn't.

Not just because of the Sagarin difference, in which Army was ranked 23 spots above Temple coming into the night. It was on the road, and it was the Black Knights' season opener, and the Owls hadn't won by more than two touchdowns in four years.

There's also the small matter of Army totaling 285 yards of offense on the night to Temple's 270, including a 211-84 margin in rushing yards.

And yet: Temple 35, Army 7.

I would have to think it's the most impressive win yet of the Al Golden era. And it does make me wonder what might happen next week when Connecticut comes to town, given the attempt to work the region up into a frenzy over the botched no-touchdown call up there last season.

So what happens now, Temple fans?
Posted by Jonathan Tannenwald @ 10:33 PM  Permalink | File Under: Football | | Temple | 8 comments
8
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:22 PM, 08/29/2008
    Still plenty of things to work on, but to win a season opener on the road by a score of 35-7, you gotta be happy with that. OUTSTANDING start to the season. The offense, with those different looks that I really like, will come around, but it's good to know that we've got some playmakers on special teams and a solid (and potentially great) defense to bail us out. I've been saying this since the end of last season, there's no reason why the Owls can't win MAC East division this year and make a bowl game. Hopefully this momentum carries over into some revenge vs. UConn next week.
    — olujosh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:45 AM, 08/30/2008
    Good solid win last night - and Jonathan, many of us saw this coming. The difference in yardage is misleading, given that Temple scored a defensive TD and a special teams TD, and one of the offense's three TD drives was a short one thanks to a special teams fumble recovery. The important thing is that despite giving up the yardage, the Owls only surrendered 7 points. As was the case last season, when Temple led the nation in red zone defense, the Owls were stout inside the 20 - in three Army red zone drives, the Temple defense gave up only a single TD. Equally promising was the Owls' offense in the red zone - three possessions, three TDs. Too many times last season Temple drives stalled inside the 10, resulting in FGs. Next week is big - the Owls need to cut down on the penalties, maintain the solid special teams play, and establish the run. UConn didn't exactly light it up at home against 1-AA Hofstra, so this is certainly a winnable game.
    — tjc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:24 PM, 08/30/2008
    Adam Dimichele reminds me of Jeff Garcia. Lots of moxy and can run when needed. Temple is a good team. Those Sagarin ratings were a joke. The Owls are a top 60 team.
    — Leron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:10 AM, 08/31/2008
    Top60 team? Maybe a top 65 team.
    — xxx
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:56 PM, 08/31/2008
    Temple was favored by 7
    — doorspj24
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:12 AM, 09/01/2008
    If Temple Alum want a team to be proud of they need to get off their rears and get to the LINC Saturday at noon. If you don't your part of the problem. ticketmaster.com search Temple owls... want 5 dollar tickets type in "union" under the special promotion.
    — madkins7
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:56 AM, 09/02/2008
    With all due respect, if you didn't see it coming, you weren't paying attention. Time to throw out pre-conceived notions about Owls football. Coach Golden has changed everything. Pink the Linc - 10/21/08.
    — ghostdog
  • Comment removed.


8 comments
About Jonathan Tannenwald
I fell in love with the Big 5 at first sight upon moving to Philadelphia in 2002. At various points in my journalistic career, I've covered all six of the region's Division I teams. During that time, I've eaten many soft pretzels from the Palestra's concession stands, which is how this blog got its name.

I write primarily about the University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy League, but I also cover the other basketball and football teams across the city from time to time. In the spring, you'll find coverage of the Penn Relays here.

In addition to all of that, I write Philly.com's soccer blog, The Goalkeeper.

You can contact me by email by clicking here.

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