Temple opened their season as colossal underdogs in a game at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were 28-point favorites in the game and did win handily in the end with a 28 to 6 victory, but the Owls did show some promise. It was the first game for Temple under new head coach Matt Rhule and the young squad fought hard, but were just overmatched by the #14 Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame looked like they would run away with this one early, jumping to a 14-0 lead less than five minutes into the game, but the Owls tightened things up on defense to keep the game from getting out-of-hand. The Owls got on the board with a Kenny Harper one-yard touchdown run as time was winding down in the first half, to close the gap to 14-6. The extra point was missed, as were a few field goals in the half by the Owls kicker. The Irish closed the half with another touchdown to extend their lead to 21-6, but the Owls had shown they had no intentions of rolling over for the storied program.
Notre Dame would add another touchdown in the third quarter, but the Owls left South Bend knowing they played hard and took a step in the right direction as the program looks to continue its steady improvement over the past few years. The Owls will return home to Philadelphia and face Houston on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in the opening of the American Athletic Conference.
Villanova 14 Boston College 24
Villanova opened their season against an FBS program, as the Wildcats visited Boston College. The Wildcats fell in the end by a score of 24-14, but not before proving to be worthy of taking the same field as their FBS opponent.
Villanova was hot early, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, both by wide receiver Jamal Abdur-Rahman. The Eagles took one back between Nova scores, but the Wildcats finished out the first quarter leading 14-7.
It would be all Boston College in the second half, as the Eagles scored two touchdowns and a field goal to take the game by a score of 24-14.
The Wildcats definitely showed they could play in the game despite the loss. One of the favorites to win an FCS National Championship, it should be a solid season for Nova. They will return to action next week, as they visit Fordham on Saturday.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat