Temple crushes Villanova, 42-7, in Mayor's Cup game

Talk about a great start to the Steve Addazio era at Temple.

It was earsplitting. It was jaw-dropping. It was big footprints of fresh cherry and white pounding a path over an inexperienced and overmatched opponent.

It was Temple 42, Villanova 7 in the third annual Mayor's Cup game before a crowd of 32,638 at Lincoln Financial Field.

"It was a thrill to come out here," Addazio said. "I'm awful proud of the football team. I'm awful proud of our football staff. These first games are all about coming out and playing physical and playing hard and I thought that happened."

It happened the way Temple hoped it would when the former Florida associate head coach/offensive coordinator took over the position vacated by Al Golden in December.

In addition to winning Addazio's first game as a head coach, the Owls (1-0) nabbed their second consecutive season-opening victory over the Wildcats (0-1).

Villanova, a Football Championship Subdivision opponent, still holds a 16-14-2 series advantage.

The decisive margin of victory shouldn't come as a surprise. Villanova lost 12 starters - most notably offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, wideout Matt Szczur, quarterback Chris Whitney, and linebacker Terence Thomas - from last season's FCS national semifinalist. The foursome helped the Wildcats win the 2009 FCS national title.

On Thursday, Villanova started five true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen.

A healthy Bernard Pierce, a solid Mike Gerardi, and a strong defensive performance all stood out in Temple's lopsided victory.

Pierce didn't look like a running back who missed considerable time last season due to injuries. The junior had 20 carries for 147 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns in his 10th 100-yard rushing performance as an Owl.

Gerardi, who was a game-time decision as starter, completed 14 of 20 passes for 235 yards and two TDs.

And Temple's defense made things miserable for Villanova quarterback Dustin Thomas. The redshirt freshman went 11 of 25 for 109 yards to go with three interceptions and a lost fumble. He also rushed 17 times for 58 yards and a 4-yard touchdown. Free safety Kevin Kroboth had two of those interceptions.

Scoring on four of its first five possessions, Temple turned the game into a laugher early in the third quarter.

"It's real important," Addazio said of his team's start. "You are coming out of the blocks here. You are a new program. And it's the first game. You want to be able to get some momentum."

Strong safety Justin Gildea set up the Owls' first touchdown. He intercepted Thomas' fourth-and-13 pass in the end zone and returned it to the Temple 25. Gerardi completed a 35-yard TD pass to Deon Miller 11 plays later. Brandon McManus' point-after made it a 7-0 game with 7 minutes, 23 seconds left in the first quarter.

As on their first score, the Owls' second TD was set up by a defensive takeaway.

Linebacker Tahir Whitehead recovered a fumble by Thomas at the Temple 36. Five plays later, Pierce rambled 19 yards for a touchdown.

The junior's 22-yard score on the Owls' next possession made it a 21-0 game with 46 seconds left on the clock before intermission.

Gerardi connected with wideout Rod Streater from 47 yards out to give Temple a four-touchdown cushion with 12:05 left in the third quarter.

"I think they have as good a Temple team as we've seen in the last three years," Villanova coach Andy Talley said. "They are a very good team that looks like they are capable of winning a MAC championship. We never really tested them today."