Temple dominates Akron

AKRON, Ohio - There was no Temple letdown.

After a 35-point victory over rival Villanova and with Penn State on the schedule next weekend, Saturday's matchup against Akron had the makings of a trap game.

But on a night when some wondered if they would be flat, the Owls beat the Zips, 41-3, in a Mid-American Conference opener at InfoCision Stadium.

The 1-hour, 19-minute delay because of four lightning strikes in the area may have jump-started the blowout. That's because Temple (2-0, 1-0) was a different team after the extended break.

The Owls' only offensive possession before the delay ended with a punt. Following the delay, Temple scored the next four touchdowns to put the game out of reach.

"We are used to this," said Temple first-year coach Steve Addazio, downplaying the extended delay's effect on the game. He pointed out the Owls dealt with delays and adjustments to their practice schedule several times since the start of training camp.

"This is business as usual for us," Addazio said. "We came in here [during the break and] put everything on the board. We coached it up, and the seniors took over."

The Owls can only hope to duplicate their latest performance next Saturday against the Nittany Lions at Lincoln Financial Field, a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Temple rushed for 305 yards and compiled 416 yards of total offense.

In the second quarter, the Owls gained 106 yards - all rushing - while holding the Zips to 6 total yards in the quarter. The Owls defense finished with eight sacks - six in the second quarter - and held Akron to 42 rushing yards.

"I'm really proud of my defense," said Temple defensive end Adrian Robinson, who had two of those sacks. "I'm really, really, extremely proud of them."

Bernard Pierce had 18 carries for 150 yards and a career-high-tying three touchdowns - all in the first half.

With the game out of reach and Pierce on the sideline resting, Temple went to Matt Brown for most of the second half. He finished the game with 85 yards on 16 carries. Fifty-seven of his yards came after intermission.

Temple scored on the first possession after the delay.

Owls quarterback Mike Gerardi capped the six-play, 76-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jones, and Temple led, 7-0, with 3:59 left in the first quarter.

The Zips responded with T.J. Marchese's 48-yard field goal. But that was as close as Akron would get.

The rout was on after a key defensive play by Tahir Whitehead. The senior linebacker sacked Akron quarterback Clayton Moore at the Zips' 16-yard line, forcing a fumble. Owls defensive tackle Kamal Johnson recovered the ball at the 4.

Pierce scored from 3 yards out two plays later to make it a 14-3 game with 13:59 before intermission.