Weathering the storm

Justice not served as Huskies slip by Temple in overtime with Brown's touchdown run

By: Kevin Meacham

Posted: 9/8/08

PHILADELPHIA - On the first two plays in overtime, Donald Brown carried the ball for 10 yards, then eight yards. On the third, he barreled over a Temple defender, found daylight and made a last-gasp lunge for the goal line.

It was the game's only touchdown, and just about the prettiest play in an ugly game.

Pretty or not, though, UConn (2-0) was more than happy to escape with a 12-9 overtime win over Temple in front of a sparse, rain-soaked crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.

"We had to overcome a lot of adversity in the game," said head coach Randy Edsall. "Some turnovers, some missed field goals. But to go on the road and get a win … I'm proud as heck of these kids."

In a game defined by heavy downpours, which kept attendance and offense low, Brown was the offensive star, carrying for a career-high 214 yards on 36 carries. Despite Brown's production, the Huskies could not manage an offensive touchdown in 60 minutes of regulation.

"You can't really make any cuts [in the rain]," Brown said. "I felt a little sluggish at the beginning, but I felt fine by the second half."

So Brown had to take things into his own hands. The halfback's bruising trio of runs in the extra period erased all of UConn's mistakes that had come before. The Huskies turned the ball over twice and missed three field goals, forcing the defense to keep Temple in check.

They did, and then some - the Owls did not cross into UConn territory in the third or fourth quarters.

"We are talking about the reigning Big East champs and the No. 13 defense in the country," said Temple head coach Al Golden. "We knew what kind of game it was going to be. They are a tough, hard-nosed team and that's the way they conduct the game right now."

After falling behind 6-0, the Huskies rallied to tie the game in the fourth quarter. UConn seemed to take control of the game when linebacker Greg Lloyd stopped Lamar McPherson short on fourth-and-one at the Temple 35 with 4:13 to play. But the Huskies missed their opportunity when kicker Tony Ciaravino missed a 47-yard field goal to the left.

Neither team threatened for the remainder of regulation. In the overtime period, linebacker Scott Lutrus tackled Temple receiver Dy'Onne Crudup short of the marker on third down, forcing a Jake Brownell field goal.

Brown's touchdown ended the game three plays later.

Temple (1-1), looking to avenge last year's 22-17 loss to UConn in East Hartford, gave UConn everything it could ask for. Despite being outgained and losing the turnover battle, the Owls held UConn scoreless for the first three quarters.

Despite the win, UConn struggled to throw the ball for the second straight game. Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen was 10-for-22 for 86 yards with an interception.

Whether it was due to the weather or not, Lorenzen did not throw for a touchdown for his second-straight game.

Through two games, the UConn quarterback is a combined 24-for-47 (51 percent) for 270 yards, with four interceptions but no scores.

In addition, his first-quarter goal-line fumble - his fifth turnover in two games - cost UConn a sure touchdown. Lorenzen had just six interceptions and lost four fumbles all of last season.

Lorenzen did add 77 yards on 16 carries, many of which were designed draws.

"As far as worrying about critics, all I'm worried about is my guys that believe that we can win games," Lorenzen said. "We can work our tails off during the week and get it done."

UConn's best opportunity to get in the end zone came in the second quarter. Lorenzen had wide receiver Mike Smith wide open in the end zone, but the freshman stopped his route and Lorenzen missed him.

Ciaravino contributed to the Huskies' offensive woes by missing a field goal on that possession, and three of his five total attempts. He was successful from 36 and 37 yards, but missed kicks of 34, 44 and 47.

"I think I was taking into account what was going on around me, the wind and stuff like that," Ciaravino said. "Sometimes when you do that, you overthink yourself."

With UConn's offense shooting itself in the foot repeatedly, Temple's offense had opportunities to capitalize. And early on, it seemed as if Owls quarterback Adam DiMichele would do just that.

On the third play of the game, he hit receiver - and former UConn recruit - James Nixon for 46 yards inside the UConn 10-yard line. That set up a Brownell 22-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.

But that would prove to be Temple's best drive of the day.

"Our whole thing was, we wanted to be able to stop the run," Edsall said. "We got hit on a couple pass plays, and a quarterback draw the one time, but other than that, I think we were solid all-around."

DiMichele finished 11-for-28 for 170 yards and two interceptions. He was also Temple's leading rusher, with 72 yards on 10 carries.

UConn's ball-control offense held possession for 34:49, compared to Temple's 25:11. The Huskies outgained Temple, 379-298, though UConn ran 15 more plays than the Owls.