September 3, 2010
By Kevin McCann
What a way to start this season. That’s the thought that ran through my head as my son and I walked out of Lincoln Financial Field after Temple won the second annual Mayor’s Cup over cross town rival Villanova.
Temple played Villanova evenly through out the game but I thought this team was dead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Villanova went up 21-13 and the Owls showed minimal spark on offense in the second half. Temple was able to drive the ball into field goal range and kick it through successfully to shave the Villanova lead to five, 21-16. I knew watching this team last year that they have what it takes to pull it out.
Chester Stewart was the key to this win but he almost was the cause of a humiliating defeat. This guy has a great arm, but I think he was nervous. Other fans were saying that the guy sucks. I don’t agree with those opinions. He had over thrown passes, fumbles on snaps and general shakiness were probably caused by starting the first game of a new season of great expectations.
He was shaky but when he was on he was on. His 62-yard pass to Michael Campbell was incredible. He nailed the receiver in stride and the Temple side of the “Linc” went crazy. The ensuing failed two-point conversion was another nearly completed pass but I was glad Temple was winning.
As this roller coaster ride of emotions went on, I was shot through the heart when Stewart dropped the snap with two minutes to go and Villanova recovered the ball. I said to myself, is this a repeat of last year? You could see that Villanova was out of gas and they lost two yards before they kicked their final field goal of the night.
Two minutes to go and this would be a great test of the Owls’ clock management. I overheard another fan say, would this drive end up like the Eagles final drive in Super Bowl XXXIX? As I said before, Chester Stewart was the key to victory. He ran the two-minute offense brilliantly and single handily scrambled for 15 yards to set up Brandon McManus’ game winning field goal.
It was a great night and an incredible football game were my alma mater won. Hopefully we’ll have more moments this season like we had in south Philly on Friday night.
