National: James Vandenberg threw for three fourth-quarter touchdowns as Iowa rallied from 17 behind to win 31-27 at ACC-bound Pittsburgh.
* Local: Rowan's Louie Bianchini threw for three scores in a 39-32 comeback win at Brockport (N.Y.)
A year ago at Happy Valley, Temple led in the third period before losing by nine.
This time, at the Linc, the Owls were ahead for the first 57 minutes, 18 seconds.
They still haven't beaten the Nits since 1941, although there was that tie in 1950.
When you expect to do it, it's even harder to digest.
"We're not interested in close games," said first-year coach Steve Addazio. "[That means] nothing. We simply didn't get it done."
The last time Penn State was here, in 2007, the game sold out. This one drew 10,000 less. The Lions won't return until 2015. Temple will go there in 2012, '14 and '16. Notre Dame visits South Philly in 2014 as part of a 2-for-1 arrangement.
So, you think Joe Paterno still will be coaching 4 years from now?
The Owls (2-1), who got into the end zone on their first drive, kept giving PSU (2-1) opportunities near midfield. Didn't matter, because the Nits have issues with the kicking game and at quarterback (Temple also used two QBs). But it finally came down to one turnover too many, and PSU only had to go 44 yards for the winning touchdown. The Lions converted a fourth-and-1 from the 3 instead of attempting a field goal, and scored on the next snap.
The best Temple, which was trying to get to 3-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the mid-1930s, could do after that was get to the Penn State 34. But then came three incompletions and a sack.
Bernard Pierce, who left last year's game with a third-quarter injury, was held to 50 yards on 17 carries. In the second half he became a non-factor.
The Nits, who missed two field goals and had another blocked, also had a punt blocked and a long TD catch nullified by a penalty. But they somehow found a way.
The Owls now go to Maryland (1-1), which has beaten Miami and lost to West Virginia, both at home. After that they get Mid-American Conference West favorite Toledo (1-2), which has lost at Ohio State and to Boise State, in their league home opener.
This team figures to win a bunch. That might even include a championshp and/or bowl. It just didn't get the one that North Broad Street has been aching for way too long. And it was there.
