October 24, 2005

Clemson helps extend Temple's winless streak

The Temple Owls dropped to 0-8 at the hands of the Clemson Tigers this past Saturday. Clemson won the game 37-7 (I liveblogged the scoring and major game action here.) The Owls remain a part of the dwindling list of winless teams.

The Tigers went fairly deep into their bench at some positions. Linebacker Anthony Waters and offensive lineman Roman Fry were suspended from the game for their involvement in last year's brawl during the South Carolina game (Brandon Cannon was suspended from the N.C. State game - 3 more players have yet to be suspended.) True freshman Antonio Clay made his first start in place of Waters and the freshman (who originally committed to Oklahoma before signing with Clemson) made 6 solo tackles (7 total tackles.) 2 of his tackles were for a loss and one was a QB sack. Redshirt freshman Aaron Kelly led all receivers for Clemson with 7 catches for 155 yards and his first career touchdown. Kelly broke Roscoe Crosby's school record for freshman receiving yards in one game. Redshirt freshman nose guard Dorrell Scott played 31 snaps and make six tackles including a sack. Scott also recovered two fumbles in the game.

Charlie Whitehurst was 19 of 27 for 307 yards with an interception. He also completed two touchdown passes (to Kyle Browning and Kelly.) Will Proctor came on late in the game for the Tigers and was 3 of 6 for 52 yards with a touchdown pass to Ladontae Harris. That pass was the first career TD for both Proctor and Harris.

Temple started Joe Desanzo under center but he was 3 of 6 for 21 yards when they pulled him. Mike McGann was 23 of 38 for 298 yards with 1 interception. McGann also completed a 4 yard touchdown pass to D. Hamilton late in the game.

Reggie Merriweather led the Tigers with 17 rushes for 108 yards. Umar Ferguson led the Owls with 17 carries for 48 yards.

Besides Aaron Kelly's 155 yards receiving, Chansi Stuckey caught 5 passes for 58 for the Tigers. Kyle Browning caught 3 passes for 49 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown. Temple's Bruce Gordon caught 8 passes for 120 yards while Umar Ferguson caught 6 passes for 6 yards. Nick Santa Cruz caught 3 passes for 51 yards.

Jad Dean kicked field goals from 21, 27 and 39 yards. He also missed a 42 yarder that had the distance but was wide left. Dean leads the nation for made field goals with 17 for the season.

Clemson's starting nose guard Donnell Clark left the game on a cart with a knee injury. Reports indicated that he had some torn cartilage and will definitely miss the next game. There have also been some reports that he is out for the season, possibly with a torn ACL.

Clemson is now 4-3 overall and faces Georgia Tech Saturday night in Atlanta. Temple plays its last home game Saturday against the Miami Redhawks.

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