Football Downs UConn in American Opener, 36-10

Saturday, September 27

Storrs, Conn.

4:00 p.m.

Temple University

3-1 , 1-0

Connecticut

1-4 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Temple

UConn

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Football Downs UConn in American Opener, 36-10

9.27.14 | Football

Box Score

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EAST HARTFORD - Temple emerged victorious against the Connecticut Huskie, 36-10, in front of a crowd of 27,755 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford to open American Athletic Conference play. The Owls moved to 3-1, 1-0 in the AAC and rank first in the conference, the Huskies fell to 1-4, 0-2 in the conference.

It was a tale of two halves for the Owls who couldn't find a rhythm on offense before halftime. The same cannot be said for its defense that has played at a high level all season.

Connecticut opened with a strong drive, moving the ball 54 yards in 15 plays and holding the ball nearly 10 minutes. However, on 3^rd-and-5 from their 21 yard line, QB Chandler Whitmore's pass was intercepted by CB Tavon Young who returned the ball 93 yards for an Owls' touchdown. It was Young's third pick of the season and the sixth of his career, tying him in 15^th place on the all-time list with Kevin Kroboth. The 93-yard return was the second longest in school history.

The two teams spent most of the rest of the first half exchanging punts with neither team mounting a drive of more than 20 yards. Both teams were hampered by special teams miscues – Temple with a muffed punt return resulting in a missed FG attempt by UConn. On the final drive of the half, the Huskies managed a 30-yard field goal by Bobby Puyol ending the half at 7-3. It was the first points allowed by Temple after six shutout quarters.

The second half began looking very much like the first half with special teams miscues fro both teams. The opening kickoff was mishandled by returner Khalif Herbin and recovered in the end zone by UConn. However, an offsides penalty by the Huskies forced a rekick. Temple took that kick and marched down the field for a touchdown in six plays capped by a 42-yard pass from P.J. Walker to WR Jalen Fitzpatrick. Walker was 4-4 on the drive for 70 yards. For Fitzpatrick, the touchdown gave him one in each game this season. He would finish the game with six catches for 108 yards, his second 100-yard performance and put him over the 1,000 mark for his career.

The Owls started to show momentum in the third quarter, as Walker was able to completes a series of sharp passes and the next drive finished with a straight up the middle run by Walker to make the score 21-3.

Following that score, Temple's defense rejoined the scoring party when freshman CB Sean Chandler had a strip sack that Praise Martin-Oguike recovered and raced 11-yards to the end zone. It was the fifth defensive touchdown for the Owls this season and Martin-Oguike becomes the 13^th player with a touchdown this season.

UConn struck back with their own score, a 74-yard touchdown pass from Whitmer to RB Arkeel Newsome. It was the first time the Owls allowed a passing touchdown this season and the first touchdown allowed after holding the opponent out of the end zone for seven quarters.

Temple's next drive stalled but punter Alex Starzyk was able to pin the Huskies at their own 2-yard-line. On UConn's first play, LB Tyler Matakevich sacked Whitmer in the end zone for a safety, bringing the score to 30-10. Matakevich, a Stratford, CT, native had seven tackles to go with the sack and safety in his homecoming.

The fourth quarter was highlighted by kicker Austin Jones with field goals of 47 and 34 yards. Backup safety Nate L. Smith set up that final score with his first career interception. Once again Temple won the turnover battle (3:1) and added to their NCAA leading total now at 17.

The Owls will resume game action on October 11 against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff times and network information is to be determined. This game will serve as Temple's homecoming game.