Walker's focus: Getting Temple a conference title
After a game in which Temple quarterback P.J. Walker achieved a significant individual milestone, he kept his focus on the potential bigger prize ahead.
After a game in which Temple quarterback P.J. Walker achieved a significant individual milestone, he kept his focus on the potential bigger prize ahead.
Walker threw two touchdown passes during Saturday's 31-12 win over Memphis in an American Athletic Association game at Lincoln Financial Field. That gave the 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior 50 career touchdown passes, breaking the Temple record of 49 set by Henry Burris, who played from 1993 to 1996.
"I am happy about it, but there are a lot of other things to accomplish," said Walker, who completed 14 of 26 passes for 261 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. "I feel getting a conference championship would be a bigger accomplishment than anything."
Temple (9-2 overall, 6-1 AAC) can clinch the Eastern Division title with a win on Saturday against visiting Connecticut. If South Florida beats winless Central Florida on Thanksgiving, as expected, Temple would have to beat UConn. Otherwise, USF would win the title.
The East and West Division champions will play in the inaugural AAC title game on Dec. 5 at the home of the higher-seeded team.
In essence, this was a playoff game for Temple, and Walker outplayed his more-celebrated counterpart, Paxton Lynch. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Lynch completed 25 of 34 passes for just 156 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.
Walker also tied a season-high by rushing for 49 yards, on seven carries.
"I thought today he made some big plays with his legs," Temple coach Matt Rhule said. "We have a lot of confidence in him, and he is really developing into one of the better players in the league."
Temple turned the ball over on its first two series, on a Jahad Thomas fumble and an interception of Walker by safety Regis Ball on a pass intended for Robby Anderson.
"I felt the defender made a great play. He jumped in front of the ball," Walker said.
To Walker's credit, he didn't get flustered.
This year, Walker has completed 55.9 percent of his passes for 2,290 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. Just as impressive has been his leadership.
"He's always been a winner," Rhule said.
In a touch of class, Burris, who held the record for 19 years, issued a statement to Temple after his record was broken.
"I'm so happy and excited for P.J.!," said Burris, who is currently an MVP candidate for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League. "Records are created to be broken! It's great to see his leadership in taking Temple football to the next level."
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