Penn State Football Season Rewind: Nittany Lions Bounce Back With Win Over Temple
Penn State returned home in Week 3 and earned a much-needed victory over Temple.
After dropping a heartbreaker on the road to in-state rival Pitt, Penn State fans were a bit nervous heading into the Week 3 matchup with Temple. A loss to the Owls, a team that upset the Nittany Lions during the previous year, would have surely made things tough for James Franklin and company in Happy Valley.
Fortunately, the Nittany Lions were able to send the crowd inside of a striped-out Beaver Stadium home happy. Penn State held off the Owls late and pulled out the 34-27 win.
Penn State got on the board first after a 52-yard pass from Trace McSorley to Chris Godwin. However, Temple answered right back with a touchdown run by Jahad Thomas — his first of two on the day.
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The Nittany Lions scored on runs by McSorley and backup running back Andre Robinson to take a 21-7 lead in the second half. Temple added a field goal just before the break.
Two field goals by Tyler Davis and two touchdowns by the Owls cut Penn State’s lead to just three points with eight minutes remaining in the game.
However, on the next Nittany Lion possession, Saquon Barkley broke a 55-yard run to take the lead back to double digits.
Temple added a field goal late, but could not get any closer.
McSorley finished the game with 287 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also added a touchdown run. Barkley was held in check except for the long run, rushing for just 68 yards. Chris Godwin led the receivers with seven grabs for 117 yards and a score.
While the Nittany Lions walked away with the win, there were still some concerns. Linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White left with an injury that ended up being season-ending. Also, the Nittany Lions followed up their four-turnover performance at Pitt with three against the Owls.
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Still, despite the mishaps, it was a good rebound game and a win that was desperately needed to calm the nerves of Nittany Nation.