Temple (1-0) capitalized on foolish mistakes to snap Penn State’s (0-1) 40-game win streak today at Lincoln Financial Field by a final score of 27-10. This is the first time the Owls have beaten Penn State since 1941.
Penn State dominated the first period of play; in the first offensive drive, true freshman Joey Julius put Penn State on the board with a 34-yard field goal following a 33-yard rush from freshman wide receiver Brandon Polk.
The Nittany Lions took a 10-point lead after junior wide receiver Akeel Lynch charged up the field to score the first touchdown of the afternoon. Lynch’s 42-yard rush was made possible by strong defensive blocks by Brendan Mahon and Brian Gaia, who opened a wide stretch for Penn State’s leading rusher.
The Owls couldn’t get off the ground in the first quarter, and the team did not make it to a first down until just 21 seconds remained to play.
Despite redshirt freshman Torrence Brown’s strip sack of Temple quarterback P.J. Walker – and subsequent Penn State recovery at the 43-yard line – the momentum shifted in the second quarter as Penn State struggled to find any strong movement. To add to the team’s confusion, linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White went down with an injury to his leg during a punting play.
While the Lions were plagued with short, inefficient offensive spurts, Walker marched his team down the field, using 12 plays to pick up 93 yards. With a one-yard rush, Jahad Thomas gave Temple its first touchdown, leaving the score at 10-7 to end the first half.
Temple tied the game with 6:23 remaining in the third period on a 41-yard field goal from
Temple took a seven-point lead with 1:00 remaining in the third quarter after a telegraphed throw from Hackenberg was picked off and returned to the two yard line. With a pass interference penalty on Penn State that moved Temple to the one-yard line, Walker rushed the three feet to give Temple the seven-point lead to head into the fourth quarter.
Temple expanded its lead to 14 points 3:46 into the fourth quarter, using five plays to push 49 yards before Thomas scored on a 24-yard run. A 30-yard field goal from Austin Jones with 5:41 remaining finalized the score at 27-10.
Hackenberg, who was sacked 44 times in 2014, was taken down 10 times in the game today.
Penn State will kick off a five-game home series on September 12 at 12:00 p.m. against Buffalo in its home opener. ESPN2 will broadcast the game.
Photo Credit: goerie.com
