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Temple Owls return to Big East to face USF Bulls

 
Published Oct. 5, 2012

Back in the Big East

Temple was a charter member of Big East football, beginning in 1991.

But it took until 1995 for the Owls to get their first league victory, beating Pittsburgh 29-27 after losing its first 27 league games.

In 14 seasons in the league before being booted in 2004, Temple's best Big East record was 3-4 in 1997 — remember that USF's best in its seven seasons has been 4-3 — and the Owls' best overall record in those 14 seasons was 4-7. In all, Temple went 14-80 in the Big East, and in that span, the Owls won just one game overall five times, winning two in another five seasons. The Owls finished 1-32 in Big East games against ranked opponents.

Temple makes its official return to Big East football this afternoon at home against USF.

"You look at a number of years ago, when they were dismissed for the reasoning of not being competitive. I'm sure that has been a thorn in their side, that they're really excited and (it) will be a driving force, motivating this football team coming back," said Skip Holtz, whose record over his past 10 Big East games (1-9) is the same as the Owls in their last 10 Big East games. "They've had an awful lot of success the last couple of years. I think Steve Addazio has done a great job with that team."

Greg Auman, Times staff writer