For the first time in 32 years, the Temple Owls have won a bowl game, defeating the Wyoming Cowboys, 37-7, in the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The only thing that could have made the day better for the Owls was a win by the basketball team. That didn't happen, as the Owls fell to Texas.
But the Owls were the dominant team in the New Mexico Bowl. Running back Bernard Pierce had 25 carries for 99 yards and two touchdown runs. He finishes the season with 27 rushing touchdowns. The question for Pierce to answer is if he will leave school early and enter the 2012 NFL Draft. Quarterback Chris Coyer had 70 yards on the ground and threw for 169 yards and a 61-yard touchdown pass.
Wyoming freshman quarterback Brett Smith had a tough day, throwing three interceptions. He finished the game with 96 passing yards and a team-high 65 rushing yards. He threw two touchdown passes, the second one coming on a 14-yard strike to Kody Sutton. Smith picked up the two-point conversion on the
Temple improved to 9-4 on the season while Wyoming comes in at 8-5.
For more on this game, visit MAC blog The Hustle Belt, Mountain West blog Mountain West Connection and Wyoming blog Cowboy Altitude. Head over to SB Nation NCAA Football for more on the bowl season.