Philly College Football Week In Review – Games of October 22 – 24, 2015

PHILLY COLLEGE SPORTS FOOTBALL WEEK IN REVIEW

Temple Off To The Best Start In Program History, Penn Wins On National Television

Owls and Quakers Garner League Awards

Games of October 22 – 24, 2015

#21/22 TEMPLE – Overall 7 –  0, 4 – 0 American Athletic Conference

Result – Won 24 – 14 at East Carolina

Summary – The Owls now have a 7 – 0 record, the best start in program history.  Big factors in the win were that Temple did not turn the ball over, and the defense posted its fourth second half shutout of the season.  Linebacker Tyler Matakevich tied a season high with 13 tackles including a sack and his fourth interception of the campaign. He was named the American Defensive Player of the Week.   On offense quarterback P.J. Walker was not sacked and found wide receiver Robby Anderson 8 times for 126 yards and a touchdown.  Anderson had a 51-yard reception.  The 23-yard catch was good for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:31 remaining in the game.  Sharif Finch blocked two punts, the later one set up the final touchdown for the was named the conference Special Teams Player of the Week.  Next up for the Owls is the eagerly anticipated ABC national game against #9 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at the Linc.  Temple, who moved up two spots in the national rankings, will have the imagination of the city this week.

For more details on the ECU game read Owls Remain Undefeated.

Next Game – October 31 vs. #9 Notre Dame at The Linc

#23  VILLANOVA – Overall 3 – 4, 2 – 2 CAA

Result – Lost 28 – 21 at Towson

Summary –  The Wildcats had the time of possession advantage, more offensive plays, and amassed 421 yards of total offense.  But two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Tigers Chris Tedder and Romell Haley proved to be the difference.  Villanova trailed 21 – 14 in the fourth quarter and put together a 13 play drive to get in proximity for a tying score.  On 4th and 9 from the Towson 23-yard line quarterback Zach Bednarczyk has his pass intercepted and returned 86 yards by Haley for the game clincher with 4:44 to play.  The Wildcats responded with a 6 play, 72 yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Bednarczyk to Kevin Gulyas with 50 seconds left.  But the onsides kick was recovered by the Tigers to end the game.  Bednarczyk was 21 of 40 for 245 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Running back Gary Underwood had 6 catches for 55 yards and a score.  Matt Gudzak ran for a career-high 96 yards including a 36-yard touchdown run.  Linebacker Corey Majors had a career-high 11 tackles.  Austin Calitro finished the game with 10 tackles.

Next Game – October 31 vs. Maine at Villanova Stadium

PENN – Overall 3 –3, Ivy League 2 – 1

Result – Won 34 – 20 vs. Yale at Franklin Field

Summary – The Yale Bulldogs scored the first 10 points of the game, but the University of Pennsylvania stormed back behind big plays to defeat Yale on national television.  The rally started with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Alek Torgersen to Christian Pearson.  Penn got the ball back right away on a sack by Tyler Drake and fumble recovery by Austin Taps.  On the next play Torgersen hit Tre Solomon with a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Red and Blue a 13 – 10 lead.  The half ended with the Quakers getting a tie-breaking 1-yard touchdown reception by Ryan O’Malley and a 20 – 13 lead at intermission.  In the second half Yale drove deep into Penn territory twice, but Eli quarterback Morgan Roberts was intercepted twice in the end zone by Ian Dobbins and Dylan Muscat.  The  Red and Blue drove 8 yards in 7 plays with the final 27 coming on a pass from Torgersen to Pearson to take a 27 – 13 lead.  Yale got to within 7 and the ensuing kickoff was bobbled by Penn who recovered at their own 3-yard line.  The Quakers responded by driving 97 yards in 6:51.  Solomon ended the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run.  The sophomore had his first 100-yard plus rushing game finishing with 120.  Torgersen threw for a career-high 350 yards and a career-best 4 touchdowns.  He completed 25 of 35 passes and added 47 rushing yards to win the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week award.  Pearson caught 6 passes for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns to repeat as Ivy League Rookie of the Week.  Drake turned in 6 tackles, had a sack, a forced fumble, and an interception in being named the Ivy Defensive Player of the Week.

For more details on the game read Big Plays Propel Penn Over Yale On National Television

Next Game – October 31 at Brown