PHILADELPHIA - Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 14-10 victory over Temple on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field:
Play of the game: On fourth-and-1 from the Temple 3 late in the fourth quarter, trailing 10-7, Penn State used a timeout, called its field-goal unit off the field, and Brandon Beachum gained 2 yards to the Owls' 1. On the next play, the Lions' Michael Zordich punched in the decisive touchdown.
Offensive player of the game: Lion receiver Derek Moye made seven catches for 112 yards. All seven of his receptions were good for first downs. He also gained 39 yards on two punt returns.
Defensive player of the game: PSU linebacker Michael Mauti made six tackles, including three for loss, and intercepted a pass at the Temple 44 that set up the game-winning drive. He also was credited with breaking up a pass.
Most telling statistic: Penn State was 2-for-2 in fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter.
Hidden statistic: The Lion defense limited the Owls to 58 plays.
Best run: Silas Redd showed off his spinning skills with a 21-yard burst in the first quarter.
Best pass: Credit Rob Bolden for threading an 11-yard slant to Moye on fourth-and-2 to the Owls' 12, which set up Penn State's winning TD.
Worst pass: After the Lions recovered a fumble in the third quarter at midfield, down 10-7, Bolden promptly threw a sideline pattern short on first down and was picked off by Temple corner Kee-ayre Griffin.
Best catch: Devon Smith did a nice job to go low and snag a 10-yarder on third-and-7 in the fourth quarter, extending the Lions' winning touchdown drive.
Catch it, will ya: PSU's Shawney Kersey dropped one in the second quarter. Lion punt returner Justin Brown made six catches for 62 yards, but his failure to field a punt cost the Nits 20 yards of field position in the third quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: On third-and-2 from the Temple 4, late in the fourth quarter, Bolden fumbled a snap that could have been crippling. Fortunately for PSU, Zordich alertly recovered.
Best call: Playing for the win by going for the fourth-and-1.
Worst (non)call: The timeout-challenged PSU coaching staff allowed 25 precious seconds to run off late in the second quarter before finally calling a timeout with 42 seconds left, prior to a Temple field goal that gave the Owls a 10-7 lead. Penn State could have used the extra time before it settled for a 49-yard field goal attempt moments later that was blocked.
Best tackle: On fourth and 10 from the PSU 34 with 1 minute to play, defensive end Sean Stanley sacked Temple QB Mike Gerardi, ending the Owls' hopes.
Best block: PSU's Stephon Morris helped spring Moye's 31-yard punt return late in the first quarter.
Best hit: Griffin nailed Brown late in the second quarter.
Best defense: Plug for the local kid. Hollidaysburg's Justin Gildea, in one-on-one coverage, broke up a touchdown pass to Moye in the end zone in the second quarter. Gildea, Temple's starting safety, made eight tackles, which tied for game-high.
Best kick: Temple's Brandon McManus nailed a 40-yard field goal with 37 seconds left in the first half to put the Owls up 10-7.
Worst kick: Evan Lewis' struggles continued; he boinked a 36-yard field goal off the right upright that would have tied the game at 10-10 with 10:36 left.
Worst penalty: Lion offensive tackle Chima Okoli was hit with holding, wiping out the 52-yard TD to Moye in the third quarter that would have put the Lions up 14-10 a lot earlier than they finally got the lead.
Best effort: Temple kick returner Matt Brown had 116 yards of all-purpose yardage, including 85 in kickoff returns - most of which came with him pinballing off PSU tacklers.
Unsung hero: Zordich not only scored the winning touchdown, he preserved the drive by recovering Bolden's fumble.
