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Temple's Last Stand


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August 1st, 2007 -Philadelphia, PA- Temple University is set to start fall practice with many new things to adjust too. The first and foremost is the miracle that they are playing football at all. Temple was set to shut down it's football program and raffled off it's head coaching position for it's final game of the 2006 season. Scott Kinnebrew won that raffle and the first thing he did was strike a deal with the administration to extended the football program for another year if he could coach the team to victory against Navy. Temple won 71-70 and the new year is upon us. In the offseason, Coach Kinnebrew engineered another deal to allow Temple to continue to play football indefinitely if the team won five games this year. Talk about motivation. The players are playing to save the football program. And they are going to need that extra motivation says Owl Senior WR, Doug Clark. "Coach told us that Two-a-days will be starting soon. We didn't even know what two-a-days were, I had to ask. Two practices a day once fall practice starts? Man, Coach ain't playin'." Other new things you will see from Coach Kinnebrew and Temple Owl football this fall is a wide-open, multi-receiver look that is designed to stretch the defense down the field. "We have a quarterback with a strong arm and some decent speed at receiver. This will allow us to take some shots down the field and hopefully give us some room to come back and run the ball as well." says Coach Kinnebrew. "Carl (Barber) has also got a nice set of wheels. We are going to try to get things opened up so he can use his legs as well. Our o-line needs to show some attitude in pushing people around and if they can do that, I think we might have a couple of running backs that can produce some decent yards for us. This is a pass-first offense, but we do that to open up the run. We won't be throwing it all the time unless we get behind." On the other side of the ball, Temple will employ a more traditional 4-3 style defense. "Typically, if you have a good group of linebackers, you would go to a 3-4; however, we feel like with depth issues at linebacker we have three solid playmakers. What we want to do is have some guys in front of them to take on blockers and allow these three linebackers to get in there and make plays. We will be very aggressive with many blitzes on defense. We want to be disruptive." One thing is for sure. Coach Kinnebrew may have gotten his job through a gimmick but he is serious about keeping it. This should be fun to watch.
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Athlone College Football Preview - Temple Owls Athlone College Football Preview - Temple Owls Oh, where to start for poor Temple? They have little talent to speak of and, now, have a coach that is a product of a gimmick and a breakdown by one below-average football team. Since that story has been well-documented elsewhere, let's get straight to the football facts. [U]OFFENSE[/U] The Owls are typically inept on offense, however this squad does seem to have a couple of bright spots. RS Sophomore QB Carl Barber does have some good physical skills but is completely unproven at this point. Owls Offensive Coordinator Tony Jamieson said, "Carl can certainly toss the football around and has some moves, but he just needs to learn to make good decisions." Head Coach Scott Kinnebrew added, "The offense is going to be the key to this team and that all starts wth Carl. If everyone else can have that "bring your lunchpail" attitude and just get their jobs done, Carl has a chance to do some special things." We agree that Carl Barber will occasionally show flashes of brilliance. He has a somewhat serviceable offensive line to work behind. Senior WR Doug Clark is the bright spot of the receiving core and will be the go-to guy in key situations, but the Owls need at least one other unknown to step forward and be another receiving threat on the edge. A key ingredient to stopping teams from blitzing every down will be Senior Tight-End Maurice Hughes. He is probably the only member of this team with any chance (even then- it is still remote) of moving on to the next level. The problems on offense are glaring and huge, however. There are no running backs that appear to be depenable. Junior Erik Crenshaw has an occasional streak of productivity but has fallen victim to academic issues before. The running backs have a decent starting group of linemen to run behind, unfortunately there is no depth at all. The receivers are a pretty thin group as well. [U]DEFENSE[/U] If the offense is in bad shape, then the defense is miserable. Coach Kinnebrew has elected to use a 4-3 scheme to allow his linebackers to be free to make plays. We question that decision because the defensive line will likely be spending a lot of time being nothing more than speed bumps. The linebackers are actually a pretty solid group, or at least the starters are. Led by Senior Dan Hinton in the middle, Sophomores Mike Scott and Gary Lewis are the building blocks to what is certainly the best group of LBs Temple has had in some time. Again, there are problems with depth. And it only gets worse as you move further back. Outside of Senior CB Cap Murrell, Temple has no DBs that would start at any other school in the country. Look for the defense to be a major liability for this football team. [U]OUTLOOK[/U] #11 Maryland - L FLORIDA ATLANTIC - L NAVY- L #10 Notre Dame - L Arizona State - L ARMY - L VIRGINIA - L Houston - L BUFFALO - L Northwestern - L ARKANSAS STATE - W [Home games are in CAPS] We expect the Owls to go 1-10 and the only reason they get a win is because they might get lucky somewhere. We wish the end was sweeter for the Owls and Coach Kinnebrew but college football isn't about having the best story.
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Temple stuns #11 Maryland, 30-26! Week 1, 2007 - College Park, MD - 46,426 college football fans witnessed one of the best college football stories in years get even better. Unfortunately for the 11th ranked Maryland Terrapins and most of the 46,000+ fans, it was at their expense, as the Temple Owls shocked the Terrapins, 30-26. The lowly Temple Owls had not beat a ranked opponent since 1998, when they beat Virignia Tech, 28-24. As a matter of fact, Temple was only 3-30 in it's last 33 games against Division 1A opponents, with wins only over Syracuse, Bowling Green and Navy in the last three years. On the opening series it was business as usual for the Owls. Temple QB Carl Barber misfired on three straight attempts and it was time to punt for Temple. Sam Shaw punted 36 yards from his own 20 and Steve Golden promptly returned it 56 yards for the Maryland touchdown. Exactly what you expected, right? Wrong. Temple Coach Scott Kinnebrew knew that Maryland would be chomping at the bit to really bury Temple early. "We knew they'd be coming with heavy blitzes the next series to really try and disrupt us and break us." said Coach Kinnebrew. Kinnebrew countered with a four receiver set and sent Doug Clark deep, hoping to get one on one coverage. Temple QB Carl Barber had this to say about the gutsy call, "I came to the line and just smiled. Coach Kinnebrew told me it would be there and, sure enough, it was. I knew we had six if I could just get the ball out there and let DC (Doug Clark) make a play." And that is exactly what happened. Barber hooked up with Clark for a 71 yard TD and Temple put Maryland on notice that it would not go quietly. If Maryland didn't believe in the Owls after that 71 yard TD pass, they were slowly made believers over the next 28 mintues of the first half. Temple used short, controlled passes and the grinding running game of RB Erik Crenshaw to control the clock and the right foot of Temple kicker Harold Soliday to keep inching away from Maryland. Crenshaw had 104 rushing yards and Carl Barber had 2 TD passes at the half as Temple had built a 23-7 lead. Surely Maryland had been surprised in the first half but adjustments would be forth coming and Maryland would come out with renewed vigor. Could Temple weather the storm and hang on? Maryland started the 3rd quarter by using 17 plays to drive from their 14 yard line to the Temple 9, leaning heavily on some ill-timed penalties by Temple. But the Temple defense bows up in the redzone and holds Maryland to a 23 yard field goal. Maryland cut the lead to 13, 23-10. Temple comes out and looks awful going three and out and after the Sam Shaw punt, Maryland takes over at it's 46 yard line. Maryland embarks on a 9 play drive, again made easier by Temple with critical penalties. Maryland FB Ruben Thorton goes in for the TD from the 1 yard line and Temple looks like it is falling apart, but still leading 23-17 with 4:35 left to go in the 3rd quarter. The next series, Temple commits a offensive pass interference penalty to set itself up with a 1st and 25. Backed up and desperately needing a spark on 3rd and 21 on it's own 33, Carl Barber forces the ball and is picked off by Maryland CB Earl Walker. Maryland gains a few yards on the next couple of plays and then on 2nd and 10 from the Temple 41, Maryland QB Jerrold Baker throws a perfect 41 yard TD strike to Dan Whalen to tie the score at 23-23. "We needed to get a little bit lucky, we needed just a little bit of a ray of hope." said Coach Kinnebrew. And they got it. Maryland kicker Marlin Riggins missed the extra point and Maryland failed to take the lead. The teams battle back and forth until 8:55 to go in the game. Temple safety John Warlick picked off Baker and set Temple up 1st and 10 at the Maryland 39. Using a couple of nice QB draws and inspired runs by Erik Crenshaw, Temple positioned itself at the Maryland 14, while managing to eat a chunk of time off the clock. On 2nd and 9 with 5:06 to go, Barber delivers his third TD pass of the game, a 14 yard connection with June Calloway. The Temple sideline is in chaos! Temple- 30 Maryland- 23. The Temple defense responds with inspired play for the rest of the game, only giving up a meaningless field goal with 1:49 left. After surviving the onside kick attempt, Temple easily runs out the clock and the party begins in Philly! It only took 60 minutes for Coach Scott Kinnebrew to prove the he, and Temple football, is here to stay. [U][B]TEMPLE NOTABLES[/B][/U] Temple Passing - Carl Barber: 13 of 35 for 189 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Temple Rushing - Erik Crenshaw: 29 carries for 192 yards, 0 TD -- Carl Barber: 8 carries for 45 yards, 0 TD Temple Receiving - June Calloway: 5 catches for 51 yards, 1 TD -- Moran Ricks: 4 catches for 37 yards, 1 TD -- Doug Clark: 2 catches for 72 yards, 1 TD -- Maurice Hughes: 1 catch for 20 yards Temple Defense - Dan Hinton: 13 TCK -- Mike Scott: 10 TCK, 1 SCK -- John Warlick: 1 INT -- JJ Dennis: 1 INT -- Justice Winston: 1 SCK -- Errik Davis: 1 SCK [B]AP Player of the Game: Carl Barber, Temple[/B]
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The Owl Showdown, Temple prevails 38-14. Week 2, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - In what suddenly has become an expected win for the Temple Owls, the Florida Atlantic Owls wanted to show that they were the biggest hooters around. Both teams started out sluggishly, but Temple soon got on track. Temple RB Erik Crenshaw was the workhorse in Temple's upset of Maryland and showed that his performance was no fluke by busting off a 37 yard TD run late in the first quarter to put Temple up 7-0. Crenshaw ended up with 86 yards on 22 carries and 2 TDs. Temple never looked back. Riding on the arm of QB Carl Barber, Temple sprinted out to a 28-7 halftime lead and FAU never even threatened. Temple capitalized on 3 first half turnovers by FAU and used staunch defense in the second half to move to 2-0 on the season. Final Score: Temple- 38 FAU- 14 AP Player of the game: Carl Barber, QB, Temple- 25 of 38 for 283 yards, 3 TD, 5 carries for 62 yards, 1 TD
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Temple sinks Navy, 29-25. Week 4, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - The Temple Owls (2-0) are the talk of the college football world with their fast start, including a monumental upset of, then #11, Maryland. However, the Navy Midshipmen are upset minded (yes, the Owls are a 1 point favorite!) in a revenge game. The Midshipmen were made fools of last year in the first game ever coached by Scott Kinnebrew, head coach of the Temple Owls. In what was supposed to be a gimmick, the joke was on Navy, who lost 71-70 to Temple. Little did they know the apparent diamond-in-the-rough that was Coach Kinnebrew would shock the world and them. Make no mistake though, they were ready this time. With star-in-the-making RB Erik Crenshaw lost for academic reasons, the Midshipmen stuffed the running game of Temple. Navy capitalized on a Carl Barber interception and with some big offensive plays of their own, hung a 17-3 halftime lead on Temple. It looked like reality had caught up with Coach Scott Kinnebrew. It's midnight Cinderella. The problem for Navy was that Carl Barber, the Temple QB, wasn't about to give up on his coach or his team. "Coach Kinnebrew kept telling us we just missed some big opportunities and made a few mistakes. He told us to believe in each other." said Barber. Coach Kinnebrew also believed in Barber, telling him that the game was on his back now. In the second half, Barber looked like a completely different player. With the anemic running game on life support, Barber did a little running of his own. Setting up Temple 3rd and 5 on the Navy 8, he threw a 8 yard laser to Doug Clark for the TD, cutting the Navy lead to 17-10. The Temple defense stuffed Navy on the next series causing them to go three and out. Senior CB Cap Murrell made sure it counted by returning the ensuing punt 84 yards for a TD. The PAT tied the game at 17 with 3:59 to go in the 3rd quarter. The next drive Navy looked as though it would crumble, allowing Temple Free Safety, Dwayne Rogel to wrestle Navy QB Ken Herndon down in the endzone for a safety. But Navy wasn't done. With 11;07 to go in the game, Navy CB Jimmie Kelly picked off Barber and raced 83 yards to put Navy up 23-19. Ken Herndon executed the option flawlessly on the 2 point conversion and Navy led 25-19. "On the sidelines, Coach Kinnebrew was cool as a cucumber," Barber said, "he just walked up to me, smiled and said, 'Time to be a hero.'" After running just over 4 minutes off the clock, driving down the field, Barber tossed another TD to Doug Clark. This time from 9 yards out. The PAT put Temple up for good, 26-25 with 6:50 to go. Navy simply had no answer as the Temple defense stiffened up and with 2;38 to go, Temple kicker Harold Soliday added a little more comfort to the margin with a 45 yard field goal. Navy did not threaten again. And yes, folks... the Temple Owls are 3-0. Coach Kinnebrew for President! Final: Temple - 29 Navy - 25 AP Player of the game: Carl Barber, QB, Temple - 22 of 44 for 257 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 9 carries for 76 yards
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#18 Notre Dame ground the Owls, 43-28. Week 5, 2007 -South Bend, IN - We had to expect this eventually. We knew the ride would end. But the strange thing is, how disappointed I am in the Temple Owls (3-0) loss to a 2-2 Notre Dame team. A part of me expected to win. That, in itself, is a testament to what Coach Scott Kinnebrew has already done for Temple football. What won't show up in the annals of college football is what he did for Temple football this past Saturday in South Bend. Beating Maryland is certainly a huge accomplishment for Temple. But going into South Bend and nearly pulling off a second half comeback against Notre Dame? Unthinkable. Notre Dame absolutely BURIED Temple's running game. Academically ineligible RB Erik Crenshaw, the Owls leading rusher, had to watch from the sidelines and probably was glad he was there. For the game, Temple managed 25 yards on 21 carries. Temple's defense was more like what we expected from the beginning of the season, pourous. Notre Dame racked up 542 yards of total offense, 400 coming through the air. At halftime, it was a blowout with Notre Dame leading 28-7. But what happened to Temple in the second half should surely solidify them as a threat to any team they face the rest of the year. While still not being able to run the ball and the defense still giving up yards in chunks, Temple was able to make some big plays and get themselves back in this game. Temple linebacker Winslow Lockett returned an interception 77 yards for a TD and then Temple QB Carl Barber led the offense on a drive with quick and precise passing. Barber capped it off with a 6 yard TD strike to reserve TE Kevin Harvey. This made it 31-21 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Notre Dame sensed a game that was previously in control starting to slip a way. With a renewed sense of urgency, Notre Dame drives and Chris Luck converts a 26 yard field goal to make it 34-21. The ensuing drive was pure magic. Carl Barber used his magical feet and arms to propel the Temple offense down the field and threw a 3 yard TD pass, again to Kevin Harvey, making Notre Dame officially nervous. 34-28 Notre Dame. For about 5 minutes on a Saturday afternoon, the Temple Owls put fear into the eyes of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. It was an amazing site to see. Unfortunately, the talent at Notre Dame was too much and Temple ran out of gas. The Irish added another TD and FG to drive the final margin to 43-28, but after the game, Irish Head Coach Gene Olander looked worn out. "That team is doing some things. If Coach Kinnebrew stays long enough, we'll be losing that game before long. We nearly got beat by a team we totally dominated." Olander stated in the post-game press conference. But still, a loss is a loss, and I wish we could have had this one. However, when you look at it on paper, I still have a hard time believing Temple's record isn't a backwards misprint... 3-1. Get ready Arizona State, you are going to have your hands full with the Temple Owls.
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Quick Temple Owl factoids Temple is 25th in the nation for Time of Possesion- 31:47 per game Temple is tied for 8th in the nation in Interceptions- 9 Temple is tied for 35th in the nation in sacks- 13 Temple is tied for 7th in the nation in Turnover Margin- +8 Temple is 25th in the nation in Scoring Offense- 31.3 (BOO YAH!) Carl Barber is tied for 16th in the nation in Passing TDs- 10 (vs. 3 INTs) Sam Shaw LEADS THE NATION in Punting Average- 47.7 JJ Dennis is tied for 9th in the nation in INTs- 3
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Temple gets fried in the sun, 65-21. Week 6, 2007 - Tempe, AZ - Will the real Temple Owls please stand up? I don't know what to make of this team. Last week, it looked as though they could run with the big boys and this week they looked just like the old Owls. Let's run some numbers... 10 penalties for 107 yards 6 turnovers (4 fumbles, 2 INTs) Gave up 288 yards rushing Carl Barber was 14 of 41 (34%) While the offense showed occasional punch, especially in the first half, penalties were a major problem and kept the Owls from taking advantage of opportunities. Not only did they set the Owls back 107 yards... time and time again, they thwarted huge plays. If the offense was inconsistent, the defense was absolutely miserable. Arizona State RBs saw hole after huge hole. The Sun Devils averaged 7.1 yards per carry through 3 quarters. The 4th quarter saw them begin to grind out the clock and dropped that average to a measley 5.8. They allowed Sun Devil QB Eric Jackson to be 17 of 24 for 193 yards and FOUR TDs. The Sun Devils were the #4 rated offense in the country coming into the game. They should be #1 afterwards. "We are not the old Temple. We are 3-2 and fighting for a bowl bid. We will learn from this and move on." Coach Kinnebrew said after the game. Granted, he was a bit more irritated than usual. Up next for the Owls, a badly needed off week and then the Knights of the United States Military Academy (3-3). The Knights have a stagnant offense but do bring the 20th ranked defense in the country. Sounds just like what the doctor ordered.
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Owls edge Knights in a grudge match, 31-27. Week 8, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - There was 8:45 to go in the third quarter and the Owls had just pulled even with the Knights of Army (3-4). Temple Head Coach Scott Kinnebrew and the Temple faithful should have been rejoicing. They were not. Temple QB Carl Barber lay on the ground, writhing in pain. After lofting out a screen pass to Erik Crenshaw, who took it in 9 yards for the TD, Barber took quite a shot from the on-coming pass rush. He suffered a severe contusion to the quadricep and sprained an ankle. While trainers feverently attended to Barber, the Army Knights were using their punishing running game to march down the field. "I felt like we had fought so hard all year and it was suddenly unravelling right before my eyes. I was trying to figure out Carl's status and Frank (Hasselbeck- Temple's Defensive Coordinator) was trying to figure out how to stop Army. The sideline was a hectic place to be for about five minutes." Then the trainer looked at Coach Kinnebrew and shook his head in a "no" gesture. Enter Kimo O'Hara. Temple's starting QB from last year, when the Owls ran the option almost exclusively. O'Hara had fewer than 180 pass attempts in full-time action last year. "Kimo has had a hard time picking up our system. As a consequence, he is thinking so hard about what is going on he has not been very accurate." said Coach Kinnebrew. "Warm that arm up, you'll need it today." Coach Kinnebrew told O'Hara as he strode up to him. About that time, Army RB Joel Risien had plunged in the endzone from 1 yard out to cap off a very long Army drive that put the Knights up 24-17 after the PAT. Again, just when they needed it, Temple got a little bit of luck from the opponents special teams. Army shanked the kickoff out of bounds and Temple would be starting this drive from their 40. Kimo O'Hara quickly proved he could lead the Owls by laying out a perfect screen pass to Crenshaw, who scooted 17 yards. He then fired a nice 39 yard pass to Moran Ricks to set up Temple first and goal at the Army 4. O'Hara then showed his athleticism by scrambling on a broken play for the TD and tied the score at 24-24 after the PAT. To begin the fourth quarter, Army methodically drives down the field but the drive stalls and Army kicker, Musa Beasley splits the uprights with a 25 yard field goal to put Army ahead 27-24 with 12:04 to go in the game. O'Hara then uses another set of big completions to Moran Ricks and TE Maurice Hughes to set up Temple 1st and goal at the 3. The Army defense suddenly finds a renewed sense of urgency and the Temple offensive line can get no surge and Temple finds itself 4 and goal at the 3. Coach Kinnebrew decides to go for the touchdown instead of taking the easy 3 and tying the score. O'Hara runs the bootleg but is tracked down at the 2 and Army takes over with 8:39 to go. Things look pretty bleak for the Owls. They had not been able to stop Army's running game at all and Army would be looking to grind it out and tack some points on the board while eating a huge chunk of the clock up. However, the Owls showed again that they come up big when they have to. Army QB Tremayne Jefferson fakes the pitch and turns upfield on the option but is levelled by Temple DT Errik Davis and Davis jars the ball lose. Temple SS John Warlick is "Johnny-on-the-spot" and scoops up the fumble and takes it in for the Temple touchdown! After the PAT from Harold Soliday, Temple leads 31-27 with 7:30 to go. The Temple defense the rises to the occasion after being pushed around all day and stuffs the Army running game for the remainder of the contest and Coach Kinnebrew pulls out another great win. At the beginning of the year, Coach Kinnebrew made a deal with the Temple Athletic Department that if he were to get Temple to five wins this year, they would keep the football program. Kinnebrew and his Temple Owls are only one win away from that goal. But it looks like they are beyond playing to save the program, the Owls are looking to go to a bowl game. What a wild ride this has been. Up next, a rundown but still athletically superior Virginia (2-5) team. It will be very tough without Carl Barber, who is out 4 to 6 weeks, but if Kimo O'Hara can play like he did today, the Owls (4-2) can pull it out. [B][U]TEMPLE NOTABLES[/U][/B] PASSING- Carl Barber: 16 of 26 for 205 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT -- Kimo O'Hara: 6 of 10 for 169 yards RUSHING- Carl Barber: 6 carries for 31 yards -- Erik Crenshaw: 12 carries for 30 yards -- Kimo O'Hara: 7 carries for 6 yards, 1 TD RECEIVING- Moran Ricks: 7 catches for 151 yards, 1 TD -- Doug Clark: 4 catches for 69 yards -- June Calloway: 4 catches for 58 yards -- Erik Crenshaw: 4 catches for 50 yards, 1 TD -- Maurice Hughes: 3 catches for 46 yards
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Cavaliers obliterate the Owls, 48-15 Week 9, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - All you need to know about this game are the following facts: Temple gave up 310 yards rushing, 213 to RB Bryan Paup (4 TDs also). Temple Backup QB Kimo O'Hara started the game in place of star QB Carl Barber and went 8 of 17 for 143 yards and 1 TD. However, he also threw 2 costly picks. Then got injured. Temple 3rd string QB, Adrian Washington came in and missed his first 4 passes but then got hot, going 13 of 28 for 155 and 1 TD. However, he ALSO threw 2 INTs. Then he received a broken knee and is out for the season. Temple 4th string QB, Hewitt Caroline did not complete a pass to his own team. He did manage to find one Cavalier defender wide-open and put it right in his numbers. Caroline went 0 for 8. The injuries really piled up on Temple this week. They have lost a starting offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, cornerback and only have one healthy scholarship quarterback. Just when things seemed to be coming together for Coach Kinnebrew and his Owls, injuries are threatening all he and his team have worked for.
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Owls get back on track, outlast Cougars 17-9. Week 10, 2007 - Houston, TX - About two hours before kickoff of the game between the Temple Owls and the Houston Cougars, Temple Head Coach Scott Kinnebrew got some great news. Kimo O'Hara could play if needed. "He hadn't practiced all week, but we only had one scholarship QB. I think Hewitt will develop in a fine QB but he has got a long way to go. Getting O'Hara back was a Godsend." Kinnebrew stated. Coach Kinnebrew's game plan was to run the ball early with Erik Crenshaw and let O'Hara get in the flow of the game. However, it was obvious that Houston was not going to let that happen. They loaded up the box to stop the run and forced O'Hara to throw the ball. It worked early as O'Hara looked awful and threw a bad pick early in the first quarter. But O'Hara has shown he has real guts this season and quickly got on track. At that point, Coach Kinnebrew was able to use his game plan very well. O'Hara connected on a 41 yard TD pass to Moran Ricks and forced Houston to back off a little. This allowed Erik Crenshaw to find some running room. The Temple defense put forth a stellar effort, by far it's best of the year, and choked the Houston offense. Houston never was able to score a touchdown. Temple led 14-3 at the half and outlasted the Cougars to win 17-9. Crenshaw finished the game with 138 yards on 25 carries and O'Hara had 283 yards on 16 of 36 passing. The Owls got their fifth win of the season and if the Temple athletic department is true to it's word, Temple football is here to stay. But the Owls are now completely focused on finishing strong and looking for a bowl game. Two of the next three games are very winnable (Buffalo and Arkansas State) and if the play very well against Northwestern, could finish the season with four straight wins and an 8-3 record. With a much needed off week after the Buffalo game, I hope that Temple can come into the Northwestern game at full strength and beat another GDCS conference opponent.
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Temple takes care of business, dumps Buffalo 35-24 Week 11, 2007 - Philadelphia, PA - Welcome to the Kimo O'Hara show. While starting Temple QB Carl Barber is on the sidelines with an injury, Kimo O'Hara is making the most of his opportunities. At times on Saturday, it looked as though it was O'Hara vs. 11 kids. O'Hara finished the game 22 of 49 for 455 yards, 4 TDs and 1 INT. He also added 119 yards rushing on 12 carries and another touchdown. That's 574 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, folks. The defense was it's typical soft but opportunisitic self. Temple gave up 423 yards and 21 second half points. However, they did cause SIX turnovers, 4 interceptions and 2 fumbles. With the win Temple (6-3) becomes bowl eligible and clinches its first winning season in 17 years but likely needs a strong showing in its last two games to go to its first bowl game since 1979. "I love the kids in this program. It seems like every week, every play, someone else is stepping up and giving us a chance to win. Carl goes down and Kimo shows up and plays amazingly well. The defense needs to work on its toughness week in and week out but always comes up with big plays. We are a big play football team. The kids on this team just keep fighting. It's a wonderful group to work with." said Coach Kinnebrew in the post-game celebration / press conference.
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Temple Stat Facts Temple is 39th in the nation in Total Offense - 407.9 yards per game Temple is 35th in the nation in 3rd Down Conversion Rate - 41.0% Temple is 12th in the nation in Passing Offense- 291.7 per game Temple is 13th in the nation in Passing Touchdowns- 22 Temple is tied for 24th in the nation in Kickoff Returns- 25.1 Temple is tied for 20th in the nation in Interceptions- 15 Temple is 31st in the nation in Scoring Offense- 27.1 per game Carl Barber is tied for 25th in the nation in Passing TDs- 14 Sam Shaw LEADS THE NATION in Punting Average- 45.9 Doug Clark is 16th in the nation in Kickoff Return Averag- 27.9 John Warlick is tied for 30th in the nation in Interceptions- 4
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Great job so far, Coach. I'm pulling for the Owls to go bowling this winter. How good is Northwestern in your universe? They're 3-19 in two seasons in my Big Ten world. If they're as lousy in yours, the Owls could very well finish 8-3. That would probably make them a fairly attractive choice for a decent bowl.
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