Add resilience to the list of qualities the Temple football team has displayed in winning six straight games.
Last season, Temple dropped three games on the last play, including two in overtime after the Owls had fourth-quarter leads. They lost another three contests by a combined nine points in games coach Al Golden said his squad didn't finish.
This fall, when adversity has struck, Temple (6-2) has responded. The 2008 Owls, for instance, may not have overcome a bad snap like the one that led to a touchdown for the opponent in the Owls' 24-19 victory over Ball State on Oct. 10. Army had forged a tie going into the fourth period but lost to Temple by 27-13 on Oct. 17. And Toledo stole the momentum early with an 85-yard kick return before falling to visiting Temple, 40-24, on Oct. 24.
The Owls took a 27-24 road win over Navy on Saturday after the Midshipmen led by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. A 21-yard field goal by Brandon McManus preceded the deciding score by freshman running back Bernard Pierce, who went 41 yards for a TD with 2 minutes, 41 seconds left.
"We've seen that movie before, an awful lot," Golden said about tough losses. "This team is different. This team won't crack."
Temple, which leads the Mid-American Conference East Division at 4-0, will go for its seventh win in a row tonight against Miami of Ohio (1-8, 1-4) at Lincoln Financial Field.
On Saturday, the RedHawks snapped a 13-game losing streak with a 31-14 victory at home over Toledo. Miami ranks at the bottom of the MAC in scoring offense and rushing defense but is fourth in passing offense with 255.7 yards per game.
Miami quarterback Zac Dysert has completed 163 of 265 passes for 1,732 yards, with eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. At wide receiver, the RedHawks have Armand Robinson, who has 53 receptions for 625 yards and two touchdowns.
Against Toledo, Dysert passed for 344 yards and a touchdown; he ran for 60 yards and two scores. Robinson hauled in seven passes for 60 yards.
"They've got our attention," Golden said. "They have some guys who can hurt us. We're expecting a team to come in here with a red-hot quarterback who can create on the run."
Notes. Last week, Golden was named to the watch list for the Paul "Bear" Bryant coach of the year award. Now, he is a semifinalist for the 2009 George Munger and Liberty Mutual coach of the year awards. . . . The Owls have won their last five MAC games at Lincoln Financial Field, where they are 8-2 at home since joining the league in 2007. . . . Pierce leads the conference in rushing with 129.2 yards per game, and is third nationally. . . . Wide receiver James Nixon is seventh in the nation in kickoff returns at 33.50 yards per try. . . . Defensive end Adrian Robinson leads the MAC in sacks with 10. He is fifth in the nation in that department. . . . With the Villanova basketball team playing an exhibition game against Kutztown tonight at the Wachovia Center, fans are advised to arrive early.
Miami (Ohio) at Temple
Tonight at 7:30, Lincoln Financial Field.
Radio: WHAT-AM (1340).
Records: Miami (Ohio), 1-8 overall, 1-4 Mid-American Conference; Temple, 6-2, 4-0.
Coaches: Miami, Michael Haywood (first season); Temple, Al Golden (fourth season, 16-28).
Series: Temple leads, 2-1
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
