Penn State Vs. Temple Score: Offense, Special Teams Optional In 14-10 Nitany Lions Win

The Temple Owls had Penn State on the ropes for much of the afternoon on Saturday, clinging to a three-point lead late as the Nitany Lions struggled to field a competent offense. The matchup was far from pretty, and felt like it would come down to which team took advantage of just one opportunity without screwing it up. After all, we’d witnessed a comedy of errors throughout the afternoon, with both teams trading interceptions, fumbling away chances and just throwing special teams out the window at one point.

On its final drive, Penn State finally broke through, but it didn’t come easy. Within field goal range and facing a fourth down twice, the Nitany Lions opted to go for it, and it was the right move. Consider that the Nitany Lions were 0-3 on field goal attempts, having one blocked, missing one and doinking the third, which would’ve tied the game in the fourth, off the upright. It was the field goal attempt trifecta.

But forgoing the field goal paid off as Michael Zordich found the end zone on a dive from the three. Prior to the play, the Nitany Lions converted a fourth down from inside the five, and another from about 30 yards out.

Temple had one last opportunity, but bungled it away, driving to midfield, then stalling. On fourth and long, Penn State force a fumble, and it was all over for the Owls, who were attempting to beat Penn State for the first time in 70 years.

You final score: Penn State 14, Temple 10.

For more on Penn State, head over to Black Shoe Diaries; for more on the Owls, check out MAC blog Hustle Belt. Stay tuned to our college football Week 3 StoryStream for up-to-the-minute updates from around the nation.