2-5 , 1-2
Temple
5-2 , 3-1
Temple Too Much for Bulls in MAC Showdown
10/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The University at Buffalo football team ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Temple Owls dominated in every phase of the game in registering a 34-0 win over the Bulls in a Mid-American Conference clash. The Owls improved to 5-2 and 3-1 in conference play, while the Bulls fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in the MAC. Buffalo will host Northern Illinois next Saturday at 12 noon at UB Stadium.
Bernard Pierce became Temple's all-time leader in touchdowns with his two first-half scores, and the junior finished with 152 yards on 23 carries to lead an Owl offense that ran for 400 yards in the game.
"There was very little that we did right today," said head coach Jeff Quinn. "We've got a lot to learn from it, it was a difficult day on that field. Hopefully our kids will grow and develop and understand from one week to the next its all about your preparation and executing the game plan."
Josh Copeland led the Bulls defense with 11 tackles (nine solos) – the second straight week the senior has gone into double digits. Sophomore defensive end Kristjan Sokoli recorded a career best 1.5 tackles for loss. Buffalo struggled offensively throughout the game, being shutout by the Owls for the second straight season.
The Owls opened the scoring on the game's first possession on a 28-yard field goal by Brandon McManus. It capped a 70-yard drive in 14 plays that took 7:50 off the first quarter clock. Buffalo safety Josh Copeland made a crucial third down stop on the MAC's leading rusher Bernard Pierce to halt the drive.
The second Owls scored summed up the game. Pierce was hit three yards behind the line of scrimmage on a third and goal, but broke the tackle and went around left end untouched to make the score 10-0.
The Bulls had two drives in the first half inside the Temple 25-yard line but neither resulted in points. The Bulls were stopped on a fourth down on one and placekicker Peter Fardon's attempt from 39 yards out was blocked.
The Bulls hung tough for most of the rest of the first half but a special teams gamble by the Owls was a backbreaker. Facing a fourth and three at the Bulls' 49-yard line, Ahkeem Smith took a direct snap and burst 49 yards through the left side of the line to effectively put the game out of reach at 24-0 going into the half.
Team Stats
UB 0, TEMPLE 3
TEMPLE - McMANUS, B. 28 yd field goal 14 plays, 70 yards, TOP 7:15
UB 0, TEMPLE 10
TEMPLE - PIERCE, Bernard 2 yd run (McMANUS, B. kick), 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:48
UB 0, TEMPLE 17
TEMPLE - PIERCE, Bernard 53 yd run (McMANUS, B. kick), 2 plays, 56 yards, TOP 0:44
UB 0, TEMPLE 24
TEMPLE - SMITH, Ahkeem 49 yd run (McMANUS, B. kick), 6 plays, 72 yards, TOP 1:52
UB 0, TEMPLE 31
TEMPLE - BROWN, Matt 58 yd run (McMANUS, B. kick), 4 plays, 71 yards, TOP 2:08
UB 0, TEMPLE 34
TEMPLE - McMANUS, B. 23 yd field goal 17 plays, 50 yards, TOP 10:05
