Convincing win elevates Temple’s bowl hopes

Temple fans may want to set aside some vacation days for a bowl game, since the Owls' 34-16 win over Kent State on Friday boosted their chances for a second bowl appearance in three seasons.

"From what we hear, we are in a bowl game," said Temple safety Kevin Kroboth, whose squad will learn its bowl fate on Dec. 4. "I really hope so. Obviously as a senior, you want to play one last game with all these guys. We will wait and see.

"But we are getting prepared like we are going to be in a bowl game."

In a third consecutive 'must-win' game, the Owls collected 315 yards at Lincoln Financial Field to finish the regular season 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference.

It was a performance that had to impress representatives from the Kraft Fight Hunger, Gildan New Mexico, or the Famous Idaho Potato Bowls. One of those three is the likely destination for the MAC East Division runner-up.

"There is no doubt that Temple will be in a bowl game. Anything less than that would be ridiculous," said Owls first-year coach Steve Addazio, who inherited a squad that, despite finishing 8-4 and being eligible, wasn't invited to a bowl last season.

Addazio noted Temple's victories over an Atlantic Coast Conference member [Maryland] and a major independent program [Army]. He also cited the Owls' seven blowout victories.

"We'd be an unbelievably desirable team to a lot of bowls out there right now, if they care about football," he said.

Bernard Pierce has a lot to do with that.

In a game that quarterback Chris Coyer exited with a sprained left shoulder, Pierce showed why he is arguably the MAC's best player.

The junior tailback had 24 carries for a season-best 189 yards and three touchdowns in a reserve role to become the third player to rush for at least 100 yards against Kent State (5-7, 4-4). He recorded 168 of those yards and all three scores in the second half.

"It was senior day, and the seniors needed this win," said Pierce, who is overcoming a concussion and hamstring injury. "I decided to put all of my worries and my concerns and everything aside and play for my team."

In the process, he shattered the Golden Flashes' dreams. They needed a victory to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2006.

However, it was Temple's chances that didn't look good early on.

Coyer, a redshirt sophomore quarterback, suffered the shoulder injury on a 16-yard gain on the Owls' first offensive series. He didn't return and is expected to miss one to two weeks.

Without him, the Owls struggled at first.

Junior quarterback Mike Gerardi moved the ball a little on Temple's second possession. But that drive stalled after he was sacked for a 7-yard loss and then threw two incompletions.

Chester Stewart came in at quarterback to start the Owls' third possession. The fifth-year senior responded by fumbling the first snap at the Temple 16. Three plays later, Jacquise Terry scored from 11 yards out.  Kent State led, 6-0, after Freddy Cortez's point-after attempt was blocked 14 minutes, 50 seconds before intermission.

But Temple took the lead 16 seconds later when Matt Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to tie a school record for the longest kickoff return. Brandon McManus' conversion kick gave the Owls a 7-6 advantage.

Temple padded the cushion to four points with McManus' 33-yard field goal six seconds before halftime.

Pierce showed why he's regarded as the MAC's best player in the second half. He had touchdown runs of 18 and 25 yards on Temple's first two third-quarter possessions. His second score gave the Owls a 24-9 lead.

Pierce's third TD, a 69-yarder, gave the Owls a commanding 31-9 lead with 9:45 to play.

"We are going bowling," said Temple linebacker Stephen Johnson, who made a game-high 14 tackles. "We showed that we can compete no matter what and that we are going to play hard for four quarters."