East Hartford, CT (Sports Network) - Montel Harris rushed for 142 yards and a
touchdown as Temple came from behind for a thrilling 17-14 overtime conference
victory over Connecticut at Rentschler Field.
Harris carried the ball 30 times for the Owls(3-2, 2-0 Big East) while Chris
Coyer added 51 yards on 17 carries. Coyer was 13-of-26 for 132 yards, a
touchdown, and an interception. His lone touchdown pass went to Jalen
Fitzpatrick who had three catches for 34 yards.
Chandler Whitmer played well for the Huskies(3-4, 0-2) in their defeat. He was
22-of-39 for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Shakim Phillips had 100 yards
receiving on seven receptions. Ryan Griffin and Michael Smith each had a
touchdown catch while Griffin had 67 yards on two catches and Smith had 54
yards on five catches. Max DeLorenzo carried the ball 23 times for 91 yards as
UConn took a rough loss.
Whitmer got the Huskies going early on with two touchdown passes in the first
quarter. He found Smith for a 15-yard touchdown and Griffin for a 42-yard
touchdown to give UConn a 14-0 advantage after heading into the second frame.
To help the Owls before the half, Harris rushed for a 24-yard touchdown that
finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive and cut Temple's halftime deficit to
seven.
In the second half, Temple was forced to punt four times, turned the ball over
on downs twice, and gave away an interception while UConn was forced to punt
four times, lost the ball on a fumble, and watched Chad Christen miss two field
goals.
In a game that was defined by exceptional defense from both sides, the Huskies
held their first half lead until the final minute of the fourth quarter when
Coyer drove the Owls 72 yards down the field on 12 plays and punctuated the
drive with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Fitzpatrick. Following the extra point
the game was tied 14-14 and progressed into overtime.
In overtime, the Huskies got the ball first but Temple's defense continued it's
great play. The Owls managed to hold UConn to a 28-yard field goal attempt
which was missed by Christen.
Temple walked away with the victory as Brandon McManus kicked in a 29-yard
field goal to lift the Owls past UConn.
Christen was 0-4 on field goal attempts in the contest. The win snapped a two-
game losing streak for the Owls. UConn has now lost two in a row.
GAME NOTES:
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