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COLLEGE: New Star Talent Shines In Temple's Rout Of Bucknell

By Ben Medland, 09/01/19, 7:00PM EDT

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PHILADELPHIA –The last time that Temple and Bucknell played each other, the Owls won 10-3 and took home “The Old Shoe” trophy that the teams competed for from 1927-1970. However, that was the final time the Owls and Bison played for that sacred trophy, ending the tradition.  Since then, the trophy has sat in the Temple football office. 

On Saturday, Temple brought the trophy to Lincoln Financial Field in hopes to revive the rivalry they once had with the Bison.  While Temple did not win a bronzed shoe in this match-up, the Owls did gain a lot of confidence in their first win in the Rod Carey era. Temple routed Bucknell 56-12 behind the stellar play of some new players. 

The shoe might not have been on the line, but Temple still took this game very seriously, despite facing a Patriot League team who had just one victory last year. Temple ran all over Bucknell in this one, scoring a total of four rushing touchdowns, two from starting senior running back Jager Gardner and two from the true freshman running back, Re’Mahn Davis.

Davis ran in for his second touchdown of the day in the opening play of the fourth quarter off a 7-yard run, making the score 49-12. Being a true freshman and scoring two big time touchdowns, Davis turned the heads of many during his first game in South Philadelphia. 

His other touchdown came via a pass from Owls’ quarterback Anthony Russo, which he took for a huge 51-yard touchdown to put them on top 35-9 just before the end of the first half.

Russo touched on how special it was to see Davis perform in his first game after an offseason of uncertainty at the running back position.


"The Old Shoe" trophy, which was exchanged between Temple and Bucknell from 1927-1970 - PSD Photo


Temple alum and Owls' season ticket holder, William Quinn, poses pre-game with "The Old Shoe" trophy - PSD Photo

“I think Jager (Gardner) and Re’Mahn Davis stepped up in that aspect today,” said Russo when asked about how the run game faired.

On the defensive side of the ball, another new stand out player, redshirt sophomore Ifeanyi Maijeh, had himself a huge first half. Maijeh recorded his first career sack and had five tackles, including two for a loss. 

He spoke with the media post-game about how he felt going into the game.

“I came out there nervous, but as I got to play and make some plays, I got used to the game…I was just hot,” said Maijeh.

Temple head coach Rod Carey proudly addressed the media after notching a dominant victory in his first game at the helm of the Owls. 

 “The team presented me with the game ball, which means a lot, going to put that right in the trophy case,” said Carey.

Post Game Press Conference with Temple Head Coach, Rod Carey:

 Other big standouts include Russo, who ended his day with four touchdowns and 409 yards in the air. Temple totaled 507 yards in the game, which was the most ever recorded in a single game by the Owls. Redshirt sophomore receiver Jadan Blue also had a huge game, in which he scored his first career touchdown reception and tallied 117 receiving yards. Redshirt freshman tight end, Aaron Jarman, was amongst a long list of underclassmen who notched playing time. He scored his first career touchdown and catch against the Bison.

The Temple Owls will be back home in two weeks as they take on Maryland on September 14, at Noon. The Owls beat the Terrapins last season when they visited Maryland on September 15, 2018, notching their first win of the year. The Owls will be looking to get another win against Maryland nearly a year after beating them 35-14.  Maryland is 1-0 this season so far and is coming off of a huge 79-0 win over Howard.