Turnovers Costly as Football Falls to Penn State, 30-13

Saturday, November 15

State College, PA

12:00 p.m.

Temple University

Penn State

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Turnovers Costly as Football Falls to Penn State, 30-13

11.15.14 | Football

Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Five second half turnovers and two quick rushing touchdowns spoiled Temple football's hopes of a win at in-state rival Penn State Saturday afternoon as the Nittany Lions posted a 30-13 win in front of 100,173 fans at Beaver Stadium. The Owls fall to 5-5 with the loss while the Nittany Lions improved to 6-4.

After a half that saw both teams defenses dominate, Penn State broke off two long runs on its second possession of the third quarter, the first a 37-yarder by Bill Belton (19 carries, 92 yds) with Akeel Lynch (18 carries, 130 yds) running 38 yards to paydirt on the next play to make it 13-6. Those two runs came immediately after the Owls had tied the game at 6-all on a 25-yard field goal by Austin Jones. The field goal was set up by junior LB Tyler Matakevich's first interception of the season.

Temple QB. P.J. Walker (17-38-4, 187 yds 1 TD), who was picked off four times, was intercepted on the next possession by Adrian Amos, who returned it to the TU 8. Belton rushed eight yards for the touchdown, giving the Nittany Lions a 20-6 lead in less than two minutes after Jones tied it.

The Owls answered on the very next play as Walker connected with senior WR Jalen Fitzpatrick (4 catches, 113 yds) for a 75-yard touchdown to cut the deficit in half. Fitzpatrick's catch was remarkable in that he was a game-time decision due to injuries suffered against Memphis last week.

Temple's defense, which played well despite the score, forced the Penn State offense into a three-and-out on its next possession. With the Owls' offense taking over on their own 30, Walker made a nifty scramble for a 20-yard run to midfield. Three plays later, however, he was intercepted by Christian Campbell.

Again the Owls' defense forced a punt, but Walker was intercepted on a third down play from the TU 17 by Grant Haley, who returned it for a back-breaking touchdown to make it 27-13 with 13:57 remaining.

The Nittany Lions would tack on a Sam Ficken 21-yard field goal following a fumbled snap on the Owls ensuing possession to account for the final score,

The first half was evenly played, with both squads defenses shining.

Penn State marched down the field on its opening drive, moving the ball 64 yards on 12 plays. It looked like the Nittany Lions had a touchdown, but a holding penalty negated a Belton 3 yd TD run. PSU then had to settle on a 29-yard Ficken field goal to make it 3-0.

That would be the only real drive that either offense would muster over the first 30 minutes as both defenses were in shutdown mode. PSU limited the Temple offense to 49 yards and a mere two first downs in the half. For the Owls, it was redshirt junior LB Nate D. Smith, junior DB Tavon Young and junior Tyler Matakevich setting the tone, Smith, who finished the day with nine tackles, forced and recovered a fumble at the PSU 46. It was the nation's leading 18th fumble recovery for the Owls.

That turnover was followed by the only TU offense of the half. Walker connected on two first down passes, the first a 13-yard pass to junior WR Brandon Shippen. Then Walker hit junior WR John Christopher for a 16-yard reception to the Nittany Lion 12. That set up a 31-yard field goal by Jones to tie the game at 3-3.

Young, who was injured late in the Memphis loss, made a huge interception at the Temple 35, returning it 25 yards to the PSU 40. The Owls could not move the ball, but the play helped the Owls in the field position battle. Matakevich (13 tackles), one of the nation's best tacklers, led all defenders with 10 tackles at the half, including one of the Owls' four sacks on Christian Hackenberg (12-26-2, 112 yds) in the first two quarters.

Penn State was able to move the ball into field goal range on its final drive. The Nittany Lions drive was aided by a taunting penalty on Haason Reddick after the red-shirt sophomore had made a good play on a pass breakup.

The Owls are off this week and return to Lincoln Financial Field for their final home game of the season November 29 against Cincinnati.