Temple's Walker has his shot in national spotlight

P.J. Walker thought it was a defining moment and who can blame Temple's junior quarterback for feeling that way? During a 7-0 season, Temple's closest call saw Walker shine in a late-game clutch performance.

And if Temple needs Walker to step up against Notre Dame on Saturday night, that very performance, against Massachusetts, may be what made it all happen.

In the third game of the season, after emotional wins over Penn State and Cincinnati, Temple struggled in a nonconference matchup at UMass. The Owls trailed 23-22 with 1:16 left when Temple took over at its own 35-yard line, with one timeout.

Walker drove Temple 50 yards in 10 plays before Austin Jones kicked the winning 32-yard field goal with seven seconds left. Walker completed 7 of 9 passes for 50 yards in the drive.

"We went out there and didn't panic and stayed focused and stayed with the process," Walker said. "That is what we have been doing since spring ball, doing the two-minute [offense]."

Walker hopes that Saturday's heavily hyped 8 p.m. game at Lincoln Financial Field against Notre Dame comes to a similar situation.

No. 9 Notre Dame (6-1) is a 10-point favorite against No. 21 Temple (7-0). Temple's stingy defense, allowing 14.6 points per game, has gotten plenty of attention, but its offense must produce as well.

Since that UMass game, Walker has produced two other times in late-game situations, both coming in the past two weeks. Two weeks ago during a 30-16 win over winless but stubborn Central Florida, Temple faced a 16-14 deficit entering the fourth quarter.

During last week's 24-14 win before a raucous crowd at East Carolina, Temple had to overcome a 14-10 fourth quarter deficit. Walker led the Owls on a 7-play, 71-yard drive that culminated with his 23-yard scoring pass to Robby Anderson with 3:31 left that gave the Owls a 17-14 lead.

While Temple would rather not play things so close to the vest, the Owls have taken the lead of Walker, who has stayed the calmest when the pressure is at its zenith.

"He is one of the best leaders right now," said senior receiver John Christopher, who had clutch catches in the winning drives over UMass and East Carolina. "When we are down, he calms everybody down and it's like 'let's go guys, get the job done.' "

Walker says going through these late-game situations has greatly aided his maturation as a quarterback.

"It has helped me a lot, having an opportunity to win the game after teams let us hang in there," he said. "It is the mentality that you have to have, that winning mentality."

Of course the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Walker would much rather have Temple lock up the game earlier. The offense has shown periods of inconsistency, but what has made a difference is Walker's ability to take care of the ball.

Last season he had 13 touchdown passes but 15 interceptions for the 6-6 Owls. This year Walker has completed 112 of 188 passes for 1,313 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

"I think from my perspective, he is somebody that manages their offense extremely well, can run the football, has the ability to push the ball down the field, athleticism, and you know, he doesn't turn the ball over," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said about Walker earlier this week. "He takes care of the football."

Last year Walker admitted to trying to do too much and now he has been a better decision maker. This season he has benefited from a deeper receiving corps, especially with the return of Anderson.

After missing last season while academically ineligible, Anderosn has caught 31 passes for 388 yards and five touchdowns. And Walker's high school teammate at Elizabeth, New Jersey, Jahad Thomas, has rushed for 822 yards (5.0 avg.) 12 touchdowns in the revised running game. Plus the offensive line is improved, having allowed just eight sacks.

"We have guys on this team who want to win and are willing to do what it takes to win," Walker said.

Two years ago when Temple opened its season with a 28-6 loss at Notre Dame, Walker made the trip to South Bend, Indiana, but didn't play. He would gain the starting job later that season. After that loss, Walker said to himself that he had hoped to make a contribution when the teams met again. Now the time is here.

"At that time, I did say that the next time we played I wanted to contribute," Walker said. "Now that I have the opportunity I want to make the best of it."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard