Temple crushes Buffalo, 42-0

AMHERST, N.Y. - Temple ran all over Buffalo in a Mid-American Conference game Saturday, thrashing the Bulls, 42-0, at UB Stadium.

Temple's Matt Brown rushed for 109 yards on 20 carries, and fellow sophomore Bernard Pierce added 106 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.

"I thought we got back to basics today," coach Al Golden said. "Our kids had fun, we played with energy, we played with passion, and we played tough. We got back to our brand today, which was good. Our kids enjoyed the battle, and it's always good to get a road win in this conference."

The Owls (6-2 overall, 3-1 MAC) scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions, building a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.

With the win, Temple became bowl-eligible for the second straight season and the fifth time in the program's history.

Making his first start, redshirt junior quarterback Mike Gerardi passed for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

Temple forced four turnovers in posting its first shutout since a 35-0 blanking of Boston University at Hershey Stadium on Sept. 5, 1992.

Owls linebacker Peanut Joseph had an interception, as did defensive backs Jaiquawn Jarrett and Maurice Jones. Defensive back Kee-ayre Griffin recovered a fumble, and defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson made a career-high 21/2 sacks.

Freshman Alex Zordich, the son of former Eagles defensive back Mike Zordich, started the game at quarterback for Buffalo (2-5, 1-2). He completed 11 of 26 passes for 98 yards with three interceptions.

"Whoever they put back there, we were going to go after them," Golden said. "It just so turned out that he chose to start the freshman Friday night, and obviously that's a tough spot for any coach, to go with a freshman in that situation."

Temple started with a bang as freshman defensive back Tomas Cabrera forced a fumble on the opening kickoff that was recovered by Griffin at the Buffalo 23. The Owls reached the end zone in six plays, all rushes, as Pierce found pay dirt from 2 yards out.