College Football | Not much built on big victory by Temple program

by Jack Kerwin  |  ydkjack1@gmail.com

Man, have times changed in short order …

Just 12 months ago, Temple University football fans, and, believe it or not, many existed, were reveling in the manifestation of their ultimate dream and desire. Embarrassed and abused, mentally, physically and, most of all, emotionally, by Keystone State big brother to the northwest Penn State and its legion of minion-minded followers for the previous seven decades and change, finally, mercifully, their Owls delivered a sliver of payback.

In rather dominating style. Before a full house at Lincoln Financial Field.

It was sweet, it was inspiring, and, after so much suffering, it was just. The day it happened, the next day, the day after that and for many more days, weeks and months.

What it wasn’t, though, was the definitive attitude-altering, perception-changing victory that would serve as the basis for building a consistent, major-college winner in Philly.

Not for nothing, but it wasn’t even the turning point for some shaky play. Immediately after the 2015 season opener, head coach Matt Rhule’s club began an incredible run of escapes by the hair of its chinny- chin-chin the likes of which has rarely been seen in these, or any other, parts.

The Owls had to rally late to beat Cincinnati, Massachusetts, winless Central Florida and East Carolina. Even in eventual scoreboard blowouts, trailed American Athletic Conference lightweight Tulane in the second quarter and got outgained by Charlotte.

It wasn’t until Halloween night, with No. 9 Notre Dame visiting Lincoln Financial Field, that the Owls’ luck ran out … and, really, it hasn’t returned since.

For all the talk about an on-campus stadium, improved recruiting prospects and inroads made in our pro sports-centric region, the reality is that, beginning with the kickoff to the that nationally televised game against the Irish, Temple has won just three of its last eight contests … and looked bad more often than not.

South Florida, Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl … and now, last Friday night, Army. All ugly losses. Real ugly.

This is not what a win against Penn State 74 years in the making was expected, or at least hoped, to yield.

Once-ballyhooed quarterback Phillip Walker had regressed so much since his freshman year that you have to wonder if a switch at the starting position wouldn’t be in the program’s best interests, short- and long-term. The defense, if the mauling endured at the hands of Army’s ground game, is in shambles. The offensive line. The program in general. Both pretty big question marks.

With FCS-level Stony Brook the opponent this Saturday, you’d figure the Owls have a decent shot at getting back on the winning track for the first time in four games.

Then, ironically enough, looms the Nittany Lions. This time on the road.

Pretty certain none of those moronic, beer-fueled “Eff you, Penn State” chants will make the trip. Would be nice, though, if the Owls we saw the last time the two squared off did.
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Not for nothing, but it wasn’t even the turning point for some shaky play. Immediately after the 2015 season opener, head coach Matt Rhule’s club began an incredible run of escapes by the hair of its chinny- chin-chin the likes of which has rarely been seen in these, or any other, parts. The Owls had to rally late to beat Cincinnati, Massachusetts, winless Central Florida and East Carolina. Even in eventual scoreboard blowouts, trailed American Athletic Conference lightweight Tulane in the second quarter and got outgained by Charlotte. It wasn’t until Halloween night, with No. 9 Notre Dame visiting Lincoln Financial Field, that the Owls’ luck ran out … and, really, it hasn’t returned since.