University of Akron misses playoffs with a sputter, not a bang!

OY VEY! Akron has had quite a few chances to get its 6th win and hop on the Bubble to get into a bowl, but that dream died today on a cold muddy field in Pennsylvania.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – After Akron tied the game at 6-6 to start the fourth quarter, Temple scored three unanswered touchdowns to claim a 27-6 victory Saturday afternoon in the teams’ 2008 season finale at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Zips defense, which had played one of its better games of the season, ultimately could not keep Temple (5-7, 4-4 MAC) off the scoreboard as the Owls only had to drive 18 yards and 28 yards for their final two scores off two UA (5-7, 3-5 MAC) interceptions.

Up seven with five minutes to go, Temple’s Kevin Kroboth came up with an interception and returned it 56 yards to the UA 18.

Temple then pushed its advantage to 20-6 after a three-yard Marcelleous Grigsby TD run.

On Akron’s next drive, Jamal Schulters did the damage, picking off a pass and returning it 19 yards to the Akron 28. The Zips’ Almondo Sewell blocked a field goal attempt, but Akron fumbled the ball attempting to return it and Temple regained possession.

Grigsby provided the final score, 27-6, with a nine-yard TD. Once again, Dennis Kennedy had an outstanding game, finishing his career with six straight 100-yard rushing games. He had 25 carries for 153 yards. With his effort, he finished the season with 1,321 yards, third-most on the UA single-season list.