Temple was staring at a cruel way to end a fantastic start to the 2015 season at UMass on Saturday.
UMass scored a touchdown with 1:20 left to take a 23-20 lead. The extra point would have prevented Temple from kicking a field goal to tie the game. The Owls would need a touchdown. But Temple blocked the extra point and Will Hayes returned it for a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 23-22.
The field goal had suddenly gone from virtually meaningless to potentially game-winning. And with 12 seconds left, Temple kicker Austin Jones hit a 32-yard field goal to give the Owls a 25-23 win and a 3-0 start.
UMass took the lead thanks to a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Frohnapfel to Jamal Wilson. The game had been 20-17 in favor of Temple since there was 8:41 left in the third quarter. The Minutemen were finally able to get in position to score after five punts and an interception following Jones' third quarter field goal.
The touchdown drive was set up because of a fumble by Temple running back Jahad Thomas, who put the ball on the ground with less than three minutes left as the Owls would have liked to simply stall out the win.
UMass held Thomas in check throughout the game. He finished with 25 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Temple QB P.J. Walker threw for 391 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions.
For more Temple news, visit OwlScoop.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
