Temple Football Loses EagleBank Bowl with UCLA Rally

Temple football made history just by being in the EagleBank Bowl today. But Temple football looked ready to take a bigger step in the EagleBank Bowl against UCLA, at least until the end. The Owls controlled the way for much of the first half, against the more high-profile Bruins. However, when the Owls lost their biggest star, everything changed in favor of UCLA. Temple football will still regard 2009 as a landmark year - but their 30-21 EagleBank Bowl loss was still a bitter missed opportunity.

Temple played their first college bowl game in 30 years, after being one of the worst programs around for decades. Since moving to the MAC, the Owls have been reborn, culminating with a 9-3 season. UCLA was only 6-6, but it was an improvement from Rick Neuheisel's 4-8 debut year.

For much of the EagleBank Bowl, Temple vs UCLA went the Owls' way. Freshman runner Bernard Pierce is their big star, but quarterback Vaughn Charlton came out throwing for an early score. Two late second quarter touchdowns made it 21-7 Temple - but things changed when Pierce got injured and did not return.

Pierce also got injured before Temple's last regular season game, which cost them a shot at the MAC title. It also may have cost them the EagleBank Bowl, as UCLA inched back the rest of the way. A last second field goal closed the first half, and an early third quarter touchdown brought the Bruins back in it. They soon closed the gap to 21-20, as the Owls' offense was completely shut down.

The EagleBank Bowl finally turned against Temple football, on a long third down play in the final minutes. In a futile attempt to get a first down, Charlton instead threw right to UCLA's Akeem Ayers, who had a short return for a winning touchdown. A botched punt minutes later led to a safety, and sealed up the 30-21 Bruins win.

Years ago, a Temple vs UCLA football game would be a blowout, even when the Bruins had an off year. Things have clearly changed, but the Owls still have a ways to go. Without Pierce, the Bruins got off the mat and made Temple look like the Owls of old in the second half.

Fortunately for Temple football, Pierce is a freshman, and will be back to take them further in 2010. For the moment, coach Al Golden looks likely to stay as well. Across the coast, UCLA took a step of their own back to respectability, as Rick Neuheisel got his first bowl victory as a Bruin.

The EagleBank Bowl was a cold affair, in front of just over 23,000 at old RFK Stadium. But the Bruins will get a warm welcome when they go home, while Temple hopes their basketball team has better luck against No. 1 Kansas on Saturday.

Sources

Comcast SportsNet- "UCLA Rallies to Knock Off Temple in EagleBank Bowl"

ABC News- "UCLA Ruins Temple's Day, Win EagleBank Bowl 30-21"