Syracuse University
Temple
Temple Edges Syracuse, 17-16
10/12/2002 4:30:12 PM | Football
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -A dramatic, final-minute comeback led by junior quarterback R.J. Anderson fell one-point short and the Syracuse Orangemen lost at Temple, 17-16, on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Trailing 17-10 with 51 seconds remaining, Anderson led the Orangemen on 55-yard scoring drive, capped by a 14-yard scoring pass to sophomore Jared Jones with 30 seconds remaining in the game. The Orangemen failed to tie the game when sophomore kicker Collin Barber's extra point attempt hit the left upright, giving the Owls a 17-16 victory in front of a Homecoming crowd of 17,220 at Veterans Stadium. Syracuse is now 1-5 (0-2 BIG EAST). The Owls improved to 2-4 (1-1 BIG EAST).
The Orange defense forced Temple to punt with less than a minute remaining in the game. Junior Jamel Riddle returned the kick 23 yards to the Syracuse 45-yard line. Anderson hit senior David Tyree for a 17-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Consecutive pass interference and holding penalties against Temple set up Jones' touchdown, the first of his career.
Temple started the game's scoring with a 37-yard field goal from Cap Poklemba at 7:06 of the first quarter. Barber answered with a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 with 2:01 left in the first half.
The Orangemen took their first lead of the game on a 60-yard pass from Anderson to Riddle less than two minutes into the second half. Riddle broke one tackle before cutting back to the left side of the field and using a block from junior tight end Joe Donnelly to outrace the Temple secondary for his third touchdown of the year and a 10-3 SU lead.
The Owls tied the game at 10-10 when quarterback Mike McGann threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Tanardo Sharps at 7:18 of the fourth quarter. Temple broke the tie when McGann hit Markonnen Fenton with a 52-yard scoring strike with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, for a 17-10 lead.
Anderson finished 18-of-34 for 239 yards, tying a career best for completions and setting a career high for attempts. He also led the Orangemen in rushing with 62 yards on 11 carries.
Riddle made a career-high nine catches for 145 yards to lead all receivers. He also returned four punts for 43 yards.
Sharps totaled 235 yards of offense on the day, rushing for 124 on 29 carries and adding 91 yards receiving on three receptions. McGann completed 20-of-38 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Preseason All-American linebacker Clifton Smith led SU with 13 tackles and moved past Tim Green into 10th on the all-time tackles list at Syracuse with 347 for his career.
It was Temple's first victory against Syracuse since a 17-6 win in 1983, a span of 17 games. Syracuse is 1-5 for the first time since the 1986 season.
