University of Connecticut Athletics
Husky Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Temple
10/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
STORRS, CT (October 19, 2002)-- Tanardo Sharps ran for a career-high 223 yards and the game-clinching touchdown with 2:48 to play as Temple held off the University of Connecticut 38-24 before a Homecoming Day crowd of 15,723 at Memorial Stadium in college football action on Saturday afternoon.
The loss, UConn’s third straight, drops the Huskies’ record to 2-5. The Owls improve to 3-4 with the victory.
Temple led 30-10 with 1:52 to play in the third quarter before UConn sophomore quarterback Dan Orlovsky (Shelton, CT) led the Huskies to within 30-24 late in the fourth quarter. Orlovsky (21 of 38, two interceptions, one touchdown, 251 yards) hit senior tight end Tommy Collins (Jacksonville, FL, seven catches, 84 yards, all in the second half) on an 11-yard scoring strike and freshman running back Terry Caulley (Lusby, MD, 20 rushes, 79 yards) rambled in from five yards out to get the Huskies within six with 9:06 to play. The Huskies had a chance to take the lead but Yazid Jackson intercepted Orlovsky in the end zone with 4:35 to play. Sharps ran in from 26 yards out on the ensuing drive and score to clinch the victory for Temple.
Temple’s special teams set the tone for the game when Makonne Fenton returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown. UConn answered five minutes later on a 42-yard field goal by senior Marc Hickok (Gloversville, NY), which cut the lead to 7-3. Temple then made their second big special teams play when backup quarterback Mike Frost lined up in shotgun formation on fourth down and pooch punted to the UConn nine-yard line. Junior Cliff Hill (Wallingford, CT) fumbled the return and Temple’s Zamir Cobb recovered in the end zone for a 13-3 Temple advantage.
The teams traded touchdowns in the second period, with UConn scoring on a 62-yard interception return by senior Jamal Lundy (Burlington, NJ) with 5:04 to play before intermission.
Connecticut was able to stifle the Temple passing attack as Owl quarterback Mike McGann was held to 117 yards on eight completions in 23 attempts and was picked off three times. However, McGann did hit for two touchdowns. The Huskies struggled with 10 penalties and four turnovers.
The Huskies return to action on October 26 when they travel to Nashville, Tenn., for a match-up with Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt. Game time is set for 2 p.m. Eastern time (1 p.m. Central time) and will be televised live on WFSB-TV Channel 3 in Hartford.
