Temple gets first win against Penn State since 1941
Temple dominated Penn State in the second half on Saturday for a 27-10 win, the first win over the Nittany Lions since 1941.
Penn State was winning 10-7 at halftime but couldn't muster any sort of offense after halftime. Meanwhile, Temple seized control of the game thanks to a defensive play as the game was tied 10-10 in the third quarter.
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PSU QB Christian Hackenberg was intercepted at the Penn State 28 by Sharif Finch, who appeared to have scored a touchdown on the return. After a review, the ball was placed at the two-yard-line and Temple's P.J. Walker punched it in the end zone two plays later.
After a PSU three-and-out, Temple had the ball back again and drove 49 yards in five plays and a 14-point lead after Jahad Thomas' 24-yard touchdown run.
The game was pretty much over from there. Penn State's offense had no creativity and couldn't stretch the field vertically. Hackenberg, considered a possible top pick in the 2016 NFL draft if he decides to declare, finished 11-25 passing for 103 yards.
Penn State's rushing game couldn't get going either, stifled by a Temple defense that returned nine starters from 2014. The Nittany Lions ran for 88 yards, though that number is depressed thanks to the -51 rushing yards Hackenberg accumulated because of sacks.
The offensive play-calling was such a testy topic that even some former Penn State players were expressing their disgust for the impotence on Twitter.
They need to throw my man @KCarter_87 the ball !! Instead of these dang bubbles smh
— Donovan Smith (@DSmith_76) September 5, 2015
No way with hammy and gene should we have 10 points
— Allen Robinson (@Thee_AR15) September 5, 2015
The win broke a 28-game losing streak against Penn State for Temple. The score of the 1941 game was 14-0. Thomas finished with 135 yards rushing on 29 carries and had two touchdowns.
Penn State plays Buffalo in week 2 while Temple faces Cincinnati. The Owls' game with the Bearcats should go a long way in determining who the favorite is in the American Athletic Conference.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
