UCLA football: Does Temple of doom await Bruins in bowl?
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UCLA will play Temple in the EagleBank Bowl on Dec. 29. Here’s an early primer on the Owls, gleaned from Temple’s media guide: Most famous player? Bill Cosby, a running back in 1961-62, before dropping out to pursue a career as a stand-up comic (history judged this a smart move). His worst football moment, according to his comedy routine, was against Hofstra.
Most famous football player to make it to the NFL? Defensive tackle Joe Klecko, who played 12 seasons, 11 with the New York Jets.
Most famous current NFL player? Chicago Bears fullback Jason McKie.
Most famous player to make it to the Candian Football League? Quarterback Henry Burris, who led the Calgary Stampeders to the Grey Cup title in 2008. Burris has spent 10 seasons in CFL and had one season with the Chicago Bears as a backup in 2001.
Last bowl game? Temple beat California in the 1979 Garden State Bowl (does not exist anymore).
First bowl game? Temple lost to Tulane in the 1935 Sugar Bowl (Yes, Temple made a BCS game before UCLA).
Most famous coach? Pop Warner was lured away from Stanford in 1932 and had a 31-18-9 record in five seasons at Temple.
Did you know:
-- Temple’s first game was a 14-6 victory over Philadelphia Dental College in 1894 (game played before the invention of mouth pieces). UCLA lost to Manual Arts High, 74-0, in its first game in 1919.
-- “Modern Era” of Temple football, according to its media guide, began in 1925. UCLA had its first winning season in 1925, going 5-3-1.
-- Temple had the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1986, running back Paul Palmer, who finished second to Miami’s Vinny Testaverde.
-- Temple finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, its first winning season since 1990. In the 18 consecutive losing seasons, the Owls had a 40-163 record.
-- The Owls’ “marquee” season during the 1990s was 1997, when they had a 3-8 record and beat Pittsburgh, Boston College and Rutgers.
-- Temple was asked to leave the Big East Conference after the 2004 season for being non-competitive. (The Owls finished tied for first this season in the Mid-American Conference’s East Division.)
-- Coach Al Golden was a finalist for the UCLA job in 2007.
-- UCLA and Temple have never played in football, but the Owls hold a 3-2 series lead over the Bruins in basketball.
-- Chris Foster
Twitter.com/cfosterlatimes