Sept. 20, 2008

Box Score |  Quotes |  Notes |  AP Action Photos 

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - The heavily-favored #15/16 Penn State Nittany Lions proved to be too formidable for the visiting Temple Owls Saturday afternoon in front of 105,106 fans at Beaver Stadium in posting a 45-3 win. The Cherry and White suffered an even worse blow, however, as starting quarterback Adam DiMichele left the game after the first series with a shoulder injury.

"I don't know what the complete diagnosis is," head coach Al Golden said immediately after the game. "(Adam) will be out a considerable amount of time. We will just regroup here tomorrow and move forward. Chester (Stewart) will start next week."

Despite the injury to DiMichele, which occurred on a sack by Penn State DE Aaron Maybin on the fifth play of the game, the Owls were able to stay even with the Nittany Lions after 15 minutes. It marked the first time all season that the juggernaut Penn State offense had not scored at least two first quarter touchdowns.

Penn State (4-0) broke through on the second play of the second quarter on a 20-yard TD reception by Brett Brackett. The Blue and White would score on all five possessions of the quarter in building a 31-0 halftime lead.

Senior QB Darryl Clark completed eight-of-nine passes for 152 yards and two TDS in the second quarter alone. Clark, who was picked off by Domnique Harris in the first quarter, led PSU on scoring drives of 80, 68, 77 and 63 yards in the period.

Sophomore TB Evan Royster, who had 73 yards on nine carries, made it 14-0 with a 32 yard run. Clark then scored on a draw play from 11 yards out before hitting WR Graham Zug on a 17-yard TD reception to make it 28-0. PK Kevin Kelly completed the scoring for the half with a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

Temple had its best chance to score following a 77-yard kickoff return by senior Travis Shleton to the Penn State 23. Red-shirt freshman QB Chester Stewart, however, threw high to intended receiver Dy'Onne Crudup and the ball went off his hands and into the arms of CB Tony Davis at the 16.

On the day, Stewart passed for 116 yards, completing 16 of 30 passes with three interceptions. He was pressured heavily throughout the contest and was sacked six times for a loss of 34 yards. The Hanover, Md. native also ran for 51 yards on 11 carries.

The Owls marched down the field on their opening possession of the second half, as Stewart directed the offense on an eight-play 60-yard drive with Jake Brownell converting a 25-yard field goal to make it 31-3. Chester connected with Jason Harper for a 28-yard reception, the longest pass play of the day for the Cherry and White to help set up the field goal.

Penn State answered two plays later when red-shirt freshman Stephfon Green ran 69 yards to paydirt to increase the lead to 38-3. Green led all rushers with 132 yards on nine carries.

WR Chaz Powell added a seven-yard TD run with 13:57 remaining in the fourth quarter to cap the Penn State scoring.

Temple's best offense on the day came on special teams. Shelton had 149 yards on three kickoff returns while Jamal Schulters added 72 return yards on three returns. Sophomore Jeff Wathne had a strong punting day, averaging 41.5 yards on career-high 11 punts with a long of 57. He also made a touchdown-saving tackle in the first quarter.

Junior DT Andre Neblett led the defense with seven tackles, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss.

The Owls (1-3) will celebrate Homecoming Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. game at Lincoln Financial Field against Western Michigan. The game will not be televised, but can be heard on The Big Talker, 1210 AM WPHT.