The Owls finished the season 9–4, 7–1 in conference play to be co–champions of the MAC East Division and were invited to the EagleBank Bowl where they lost to UCLA 30–21. This was the Owls first bowl game since the Garden State Bowl in 1979.
Temple blew a 10-point lead over the Wildcats to ultimately lose 27–24 to the Villanova Wildcats to open the year on a sour note. This game was similar to many games last year where Temple would have a lead but be unable to finish off an opponent, such as the overtime loss to Navy and the Hail Mary loss to Buffalo last year. After a scoreless first quarter, Temple got a 10–0 halftime lead, then made it a 17–7 lead midway through the third after each scored, and Villanova scored to make it 17–14, but Temple would score again early in the 4th quarter to make it 24–14, but Villanova would shut out the Owls the rest of the way, making it 24–17 on a field goal soon after, late in the game Villanova tied it up, and just as Temple was about to go for the win, a turnover led to a Villanova field goal that gave them their first win of the year and put Temple at 0–1 to start the new year. It was also Villanova's first win against a I-A opponent since 2003, ironically it Temple. Villanova leads the series.
Penn State
1
2
3
4
Total
Owls
3
0
3
0
6
Nittany Lions
7
14
3
7
31
Temple hadn't beaten Penn State since 1941, and that nearly 70-year losing streak remained intact, but the Owls kept themselves in the game early with a field goal and successful onside kick. Afterwards, the momentum they had gained was quickly lost as Penn State made it 21–3 at halftime and 24–6 after three. Penn State put the game out of reach with a touchdown run by Stephon Green. Soon afterwards, Penn State put their backups in, but were unable to score any more points. With the 6–31 loss, this now makes four straight games that the Owls have failed to score at least a touchdown on Penn State.
With the huge blowout win over Buffalo, Temple was able to get revenge for the previous two years, including a last second loss on a Hail Mary and a blowout loss the year before. This also gave Temple their first win of the year.
9:23 TEMPLE Pierce 18-yard run (McManus kick) 13–37 TEMPLE
Eastern Michigan
1
2
3
4
Total
Owls
14
7
0
3
24
Eagles
0
6
0
6
12
With the 24–6 win over Eastern Michigan, the Owls were now .500 and undefeated in the MAC.
Ball State
1
2
3
4
Total
Cardinals
0
0
13
6
19
Owls
10
0
7
7
24
Despite going 12–2 last year and being ranked as high as #12, the Ball State Cardinals remained winless this year after giving Temple a game that appeared closer than it really was. Temple took a 10–0 lead, but fell behind 13–10, but soon retook the lead and would hold on for the 24–19 win, giving up a meaningless touchdown on the game's final play to make the game look like a nailbiter. Temple also was 3–0 in the MAC and 3–2 overall with the win.
Scoring summary
1st Quarter
07:12 TEMPLE McManus 27-yard field goal 0–3 TEMPLE
TEMPLE TD 01:38 Matt Brown 1 Yd Run (Brandon McManus Kick) 10–33
4th Quarter
TEMPLE TD 13:56 Delano Green 52 Yd Punt Return (Brandon McManus Kick) 10–40
TEMPLE TD 09:08 Delano Green 50 Yd Run (Brandon McManus Kick) 10–47
KSU FG 04:22 Freddy Cortez 46 Yd 13–47
Ohio
1
2
3
4
Total
Owls
0
10
7
0
17
Bobcats
7
6
13
9
35
Ohio defeated Temple, and by virtue of a tie-breaker, advanced to the MAC Championship Game. Temple still won a share of the MAC East Division.
EagleBank Bowl
The UCLA Bruins (6–6) played the Temple Owls (9–3) at the 2009 EagleBank Bowl at RFK Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C. The bowl game was scheduled to start at 4:30 PM US EST on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Temple was playing in its first bowl game since the 1979 Garden State Bowl and made only its third bowl appearance in school history.[16] After a dominant first half, UCLA staged a second half rally, and defeated the Owls 30–21.
↑ Cathyb (September 26, 2009). "Buffalo vs. Temple"(PDF). Temple Athletic Communications. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2009.
↑ "Players"(PDF). 2009 Temple University Football Media Guide. OwlSports.com. Archived from the original(PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
↑ "Coaching Staff"(PDF). Temple Football: 2009 Media Guide. OwlSports.com. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
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