Temple's Pierce to miss regular-season finale at Ohio

Temple freshman Bernard Pierce, who has rushed for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns on 224 carries, will not play in Friday morning's regular-season finale at Ohio that will determine the Mid-American Conference's East Division champion.

"He's out, and we'll reassess after the game, depending on where we are," coach Al Golden said yesterday.

Pierce injured his left shoulder on the opening play in Saturday's 47-13 home win over Kent State.

"He just kind of fell on it out of bounds," Golden explained. "It was not a trauma play, or a high-impact play. It's more of a joint issue. We don't know how long it's going to be."

Pierce injured the same shoulder late in the second quarter of Temple's home win over Army on Oct. 17. He carried 40 times the following week at Toledo.

Against Kent, 5-5 freshman Matt Brown rushed for 156 yards and two scores, including a 71-yarder, on 18 attempts.

Seniors Lamar McPherson and Jason Harper, who also is listed as a backup wide receiver, will be next in line. Starting sophomore wideout Joe Jones might be used as well. Last season's top rusher, sophomore Kee-ayre Griffin, is now a cornerback. Against Kent, he returned his first career interception for a score.

"We can't change too much," Golden said. "You don't want to add to the variables. Obviously everything's in play in a game like this."

The Owls (9-2, 7-0) have won nine in a row. Ohio is 8-3, 6-1. The winner plays Central Michigan (9-2, 7-0) for the title in Detroit on Dec. 4.