 TEMPLE 30, AKRON 0 Temple, meanwhile, continues to hold a share of the MAC East lead. The Owls, Ohio U and Miami all have one loss. After traveling to Kent State Saturday (2 p.m ET.), Temple (7-2, 4-1 MAC) closes the season by hosting Ohio and traveling to Miami. The Bobcats beat MU a week ago.
Saturday’s victory was the Owls third win since a 31-17 setback at MAC West favorite Northern Illinois Oct. 16. Temple narrowly escaped an upset loss with a 28-27 decision over Bowling Green the following week, but since that time has posted two shutouts. It is the first time Temple has recorded consecutive shutouts since 1971.
Akron (0-9, 0-5 MAC) managed just 154 yards of total offense against the stingy Owls. That included 41 yards and one first down rushing. UA had eight total first downs and entered in TU territory on just two possessions – once following an Owls fumble.
Through two quarters, Akron’s defense was doing a pretty good job, as well. The Zips, who ranked 10th (MAC) in rushing defense coming into the game, held standout running back Bernard Pierce to 24 yards on nine carries before intermission. The only scoring over two quarters were a pair of Brandon McManus field goals (27, 25).
Temple finally scored the game’s first touchdown on its first possession of the second half. Delano Green gave the Owls good field position when he returned a punt 39 yards to the UA 37. Rod Streater rushed for 16 yards and Matt Brown 11 yards before quarterback Mike Gerardi hit Alex Jackson on a 10-yard scoring strike.
Kevin Kroboth’s interception of a Patrick Nicely pass three plays after the kickoff again put the Owls in position to score. But they were unable to get a first down and settled for a 45-yard McManus field goal to put the hosts up 16-0.
Streater’s 24-yard carry culminated a six-play, 64-yard Temple drive in the fourth quarter. After forcing a three-and-out, Temple mounted the game’s final scoring drive. The Owls moved 56-yards on nine plays, with Pierce going in from eight yards out at 2:46.
Temple finished with 399 yards of total offense. Gerardi, getting his second straight start at quarterback, provided 209 yards and one touchdown with a 15-of-22 day passing the ball.
Pierce led the rushing attack with 83 yards on 19 carries. Matt Brown added 69 yards on 13 rushes.
Akron quarterback Patrick Nicely, who was sacked four times, completed 15-of-26 passes for 134 yards on the day to lead the Zips.
Akron travels to Muncie Saturday for a matchup with Ball State. (1 p.m. ET).
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