Temple University was in a situation it had rarely faced previously on Tuesday at the EagleBank Bowl. In fact, they were in a bowl game for the first time in 30 years and for only the third time in the program’s history. Their opponent, UCLA, was more experienced in bowl games, and it showed.
The EagleBank Bowl did not end well for the Temple University Owls. Sadly, they had a big lead, but couldn't hold it, as UCLA came back in the second half to win, 30-21.
UCLA entered the EagleBank Bowl 6-6, while the Owls were 9-3. Temple racked up a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, and the rebuilding UCLA Bruins seemingly were on the ropes. Instead, the Bruins rallied. With one second left in the half, UCLA managed a FG, and that was the start.
As the second half of the EagleBank Bowl began, UCLA took their first possession down the field for a TG, and suddenly the game was a real game again, 21-17. The Temple Owls moved right down the field, but UCLA held on fourth-and-1 from the 9.
That proved to be the major sea change in the EagleBank Bowl. With 2:29 gone in the fourth quarter, the Bruins pulled to 21-20 on a 42-yard field goal.
Still ahead 21-20 in the EagleBank Bowl, when UCLA’s Akeem Ayers intercepted a pass by Temple QB Vaughn Charlton and returned the ball 2 yards for an easy touchdown with 6 minutes 1 second to play. UCLA's Kevin Prince then threw for a 2-point conversion, making it 28-20.
The end to Temple's EagleBank Bowl meltdown came when the Owls punted near their own goal line on their next possession. The snap from center went over punter Jake Brownell’s head and out of the end zone for a safety, making the final score 30-21.
The EagleBank Bowl was a sad end to the comeback of Temple's football program. When head coach Al Golden left his job as the Virginia defensive coordinator after the 2005 season, the Temple Owls had hit rock bottom, finishing winless. University officials even considered dropping their football program.
Al Golden changed things, and this was the pinnacle of his renovation of the program. Unfortunately, the season did not end well for the Temple Owls, but if Al Golden has anything to say about it, the Owls will not take another 30 years to reach another bowl game.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
