[Live Blog] Penn State vs. Temple
Good afternoon, Penn State fans! The Nittany Lions (5-4) will face Temple for the 43rd time today in Beaver Stadium, meeting on the field for the first time in two years. Penn State is looking to become bowl eligible after defeating the Indiana Hoosiers last weekend in Bloomington. Temple (5-4) is coming off a three-point loss to Memphis, but the Owls have a big win to their credit with an upset of previously ranked East Carolina.
We will have updates throughout the game on this page, including game analysis, photos, and more. Here’s the media information you’ll need, and here’s our staff’s game predictions.
Final: Penn State wins, 30-13! The Lions defeat the Owls for the 39th time in series history to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2011! Thanks for following along!
1:14 4Q: Walker’s pass on 4th and long in Owls territory falls incomplete, over the head of the intended receiver. The Lions will take over on downs, looking to run out the clock with D.J. Crook at QB and Cole Chippialle at RB.
3:47 4Q: Sam Ficken attempts a 42-yard field goal, and it’s blocked. He’s now 4-for-5 on the day. Hackenberg nearly found DaeSean Hamilton in the endzone on a deep slant, but it fell incomplete. Penn State still leads 30-13.
6:37 4Q: Jesse Della Valle picks off P.J. Walker to give Penn State the ball on the Temple 40-yard line! That’s Penn State’s fourth interception of the day.
10:36 4Q: Sam Ficken’s 21-yard field goal is good! Penn State leads 30-13 midway through the fourth quarter. The offense ran the ball down to the 2-yard line, but couldn’t punch it in. The Lions rank 85th in the FBS in red zone efficiency.
12:53 4Q: P.J. Walker fumbles the low snap, and Austin Johnson recovers for Penn State! The Lions will take over on the Temple 23, leading 27-13.
13:57 4Q: TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE! Grant Haley picks off P.J. Walker as he’s hit by Nyeem Wartman, and Haley takes it the distance for the pick six. The 30-yard return gives Penn State a two-touchdown lead, as the Lions go up 27-13.
End 3Q: At the end of the third quarter, Penn State leads Temple 20-13. Just 15 minutes stand between the Nittany Lions and a bowl game.
2:31 3Q: With Temple driving again after a 20-yard run by QB P.J. Walker, freshman corner Christian Campbell gets a pick to give Penn State the ball back! First down PSU at their own 28 yard line, leading 20-13.
5:07 3Q: After much ado about nothing in the first half, the scoring is wide open now midway through the 3rd quarter. Walker finds Harrisburg product Jalen Fitzpatrick for a 75-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to one touchdown. Penn State leads 20-13.
5:19 3Q: TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE! On the Owls next possession, P.J. Walker is picked off by Adrian Amos, who returns the ball all the way to the Temple 9-yard line. Belton runs it in on the very next play, and Penn State builds their lead to 20-6.
6:13 3Q: TOUCHDOWN PENN STATE! Akeel Lynch breaks free for a 38-yard touchdown run following Bill Belton’s 37-yard rush on first down. Two plays, 75 yards rushing, and the Lions lead the Owls 13-6.
6:52 3Q: A four-play, eight-yard drive from Temple is good enough to set up a 25-yard field goal to tie the game 6-6. Hackenberg was intercepted as Penn State was driving the ball behind the strength of Akeel Lynch on the ground, and the ball was returned 47 yards to the PSU red zone. Thankfully, one of the nation’s best defenses bailed the Lions out yet again.
11:04 3Q: Temple drives to the Penn State 29-yard line after a 28-yard completion from Walker down the sideline. Two straight Temple runs produce short gains, and Walker throws incomplete on third down after eluding a corner blitz. Temple’s 42-yard field goal comes up well short and wide right, and the score remains Penn State 6, Temple 3.
Halftime: Sam Ficken, getting into the spirit of basketball season, which began last night in the BJC with a win over Morgan State. Where would this team be without him?
The story of the first half, in one Vine. And quite frankly, the whole season. https://t.co/MMuaI1TOk7 (Credit: @ericbsion)
— Onward State (@OnwardState) November 15, 2014
End 1st Half: A Temple 15-yard penalty gives Penn State the boost it needed to drive down the field for a score after taking over at their own 12-yard line. Sam Ficken drills a 50-yard field goal (!) with one second remaining to give the Nittany Lions a 6-3 halftime lead. Ficken is now 2nd in PSU history in made field goals, and 21-of-24 on the season.
2:25 2Q: P.J. Walker has a man open down the sideline on 2nd down, but he overthrows him. After escaping a would-be sack on third down, he throws incomplete near the sideline, forcing a punt. Della Valle calls a fair catch at the PSU 15, giving Penn State less than 3 minutes to drive before half.
3:37 2Q: Hackenberg completes a 14-yard pass to Jesse James on third down, but the Lions drive stalls at their own 19 after two short rushes from Akeel Lynch and a sack. Pasquaerillo kicks a beautiful 49-yard punt, and good coverage downfield drops the returner at the Temple 35. First down Owls.
9:05 2Q: After the pick, the defense holds. Temple is backed up after Anthony Zettel sacks Walker on third down to set up fourth and long. The Owls punt, and the ball is downed at the PSU 2-yard line. Penn State must go 98 yards for a touchdown here.
11:17 2Q: Hackenberg throws his 13th interception of the season on a pass intended for tight end Mike Gesicki. Ball was a little bit behind the target, and Temple returns it 25 yards into PSU territory.
12:08 2Q: Walker completes a 6-yard screen pass on first down, but a false start penalty and back-to-back incompletions stall the drive. Della Valle fields the punt, and returns it to the Temple 46, giving PSU their best starting field position of the day. Game remains tied, 3-3.
13:22 2Q: The Wildcat picks up a first down on 4th and short with an 8-yard carry from Lynch, but the drive stalls after Hackenberg overthrows an open Jesse James on third down. Pasquaerillo punts, and the ball is downed at the 12 yard line. First down Temple.
End 1Q: Penn State is driving and has the ball on the Temple 40, but it’s 4th down 1. Looks like Franklin will send the offense back out there after a brief timeout.
3:13 1Q: After the Belton fumble, Temple drives 33 yards on 7 plays, but is stopped at the PSU 13-yard line after Walker overthrows his receiver on a bubble screen on third down. Austin Jones nails the 30-yard field goal, and it’s tied 3-3.
5:25 1Q: Bill Belton fumbles on second down, and the Owls take over in PSU territory. That’s the first fumble by a Penn State running back this season.
6:07 1Q: Temple’s quarterback P.J. Walker has a receiver wide open on the left side of the field on third and 5 from their own 25, but the receiver drops it. Temple punts it away to the PSU 39, where it is fair caught by Della Valle. First down, Penn State.
8:01 1Q: Penn State drives down to the Temple 3-yard line on their opening drive, but are forced to settle for a field goal after a holding penalty negates a Bill Belton touchdown run on third down and Hackenberg is sacked on the following play on third and goal from the 12. Sam Ficken makes the 29-yard field goal, and Penn State leads 3-0.
Pregame: The student section is, shall we say, looking a little sparse this afternoon. Only 10 minutes until kickoff. 
#PennState CB Trevor Williams not dressed. Spokesman says it’s a non-disciplinary issue. — Richard Scarcella (@nittanyrich) November 15, 2014
The sun is shining for a brief moment as we near 30 minutes until kickoff. Mostly cloudy skies today, but a few rays of sunshine is a welcome sight for fans huddling for warmth in 30 degree temperatures. 
In honor of Military Appreciation Day, the teams will flip a special coin before the game to honor Lt. Michael Murphy http://t.co/htsymV9Qvi — Onward State (@OnwardState) November 15, 2014
James Franklin speaks with ESPN before kickoff. I have a feeling there may have been a few questions about something called a “bowl game.” 
Penn State owns a 30-game winning streak over Temple, which is currently the longest active opponent vs. opponent winning streak in college football. The Lions hold a 38-3-1 record in the all-time series, which dates back to 1931. #DominateTheState Temple’s head coach Matt Rhule will make his return to Beaver Stadium, this time in the visiting team locker room. Rhule is a State College High graduate, and played under Joe Paterno from 1994-1997. After finishing 2-10 his first season in 2012, Rhule has the Owls playing inspired football, leading the team to cusp of bowl eligibility with five wins this year. 
Despite the cold and early kickoff, Nittanyville is ready in full force to cheer on their beloved Nittany Lions! Campers had to brace sub-freezing temperatures this week during their campout.
.@Nittanyvillepsu is officially in the stadium! Two hours til kickoff. https://t.co/Y4nF4f6KjE — Onward State (@OnwardState) November 15, 2014
A few snow flurries are swirling around as both team’s take the field for warmups at Beaver Stadium. It’s a brisk 30 degrees with 3 mph winds. Looks like November football in Happy Valley!
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