Temple (3-7, 1-4) and Rutgers (1-8, 0-5) meet Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. The game will be televised live on CN8. The Owls and Scarlet Knights will be looking to snap three and six-game losing streaks, respectively. Saturday's Big East Conference contest presents Temple the opportunity to get back on the winning track while earning regional bragging rights. The two campuses are separated by a 67-mile drive.
Temple is coming off a disheartening 29-22 loss to No. 22 Pittsburgh at Heinz Field last Saturday. The Owls out-gained the Panthers in total yards, 341 to 189, and held a 13-minute advantage in time of possession. Turnovers, and an inabilty to enter the end zone, however, proved the difference. The Owls committed four turnovers and had a punt blocked. Four of the plays directly led to 22 Pittsburgh points. The Owls also had two first-and-goal opportunities within the five-yard line and had to settle for field goals. Field goals were the theme of the day for Temple, as Cap Poklemba set a Big East record and tied the school mark by connecting on five attempts. The senior booted field goals from 41, 23, 33, 38 and 20 yards, despite kicking on newly laid sod, to tie the school mark held by Bob Wright (vs. Boston College, 1990) and Bob Clauser (vs Delaware, 1982). Senior superback Tanardo Sharps also had a historical day, gaining 84 rugged yards on 33 carries to surpass 1,000 yards for the season and 3,000 for his career. Following his 1,000-yard sophomore season, Sharps becomes only the second Owl (Paul Palmer, 1985-86) to have multiple 1,000-yard seasons.
Sharps ranks second in the Temple record books, behind current TU Radio sideline reporter Paul Palmer (4,895) with 3,022 career rushing yards. The Annapolis, Md. native has three consecutive 100-yard performances versus Rutgers. They came in 1999 (10-100-1TD), 2000 (32-168-3TDs) and 2001 (18-149).
Sean Dillard also has an opportunity to make his mark in the record books. The senior grabbed six passes at Pittsburgh to give him 123 for his career, surpassing Clint Graves (1970-72, 120) and Rich Drayton (1987-90, 122) for second place all-time at TU in career receptions. Dillard needs four catches on Saturday to surpass Gerald Lucear (1978-81, 126) to become Temple's all-time reception leader. Dillard ranks seventh in career receiving yardage with 1,582.
Rutgers is coming off a bye week after a 42-12 loss to Miami on Nov. 2. RU has lost six straight since a 44-0 win over Army on Sept. 14. Rutgers ranks last in the country (No. 117) in total offense, averaging 224.78 yards per game.
