Temple 24, Miami (Ohio) 17

10/20/2007 3:57 PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Backup quarterback Vaughn Charlton threw a key touchdown pass to Bruce Francis in the third quarter as Temple won its third straight game for the first time since 1990, beating Miami (Ohio) 24-17 Saturday.

Temple (3-5, 2-2 MAC East) remained in contention for a division title in its first season in the Mid-American Conference. Miami (4-4, 2-1) lost for the first time in league play.

The Owls earned the victory despite losing starting quarterback Adam DiMichele, who fractured his left shin bone when he was sacked with just over 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Temple allowed Miami a first-half touchdown and then held the RedHawks scoreless until Tom Crabtree's 1-yard touchdown catch with 1:19 left. Miami then recovered an onside kick, and Nate Parseghian added a 33-yard field goal with nine seconds left.

Miami recovered a second onside kick, but that play was wiped out by a penalty. The RedHawks then recovered a third onside kick, but Daniel Raudabaugh's last-ditch pass attempt was intercepted by Dominique Harris. Raudabaugh went 33-for-57 for 314 yards and two touchdowns.

Charlton threw for 109 yards for Temple, and Daryl Robinson rushed for 69 yards.

The biggest play of the game came when Charlton threw deep down the left side to Francis, who sprinted past Miami's Wendell Brunson and caught the ball in stride, scoring on a 61-yard hookup that gave Temple a 21-7 lead with 8:29 left in the third quarter.

Miami had opportunities to get back into the game, but failed to capitalize on a goal-line sequence early in the fourth quarter.

Temple's Leyon Azubuike stopped Cory Jones for a 4-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from the 4, and the Owls took over on downs. Temple then drove the length of the field and extended its lead to 17 points when Jake Brownell booted a 22-yard field goal for a 24-7 lead with 8:12 left.

Temple parlayed a big defensive play into the first score of the game. Defensive end Junior Galette (three sacks) forced a fumble by Raudabaugh, and Jamal Schulters recovered for the Owls on the Miami 22. Jason Harper capped a six-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to give Temple a 7-0 lead.

The RedHawks answered on the ensuing drive, converting on a fourth-and-6 before Raudabaugh hit tight end Jake O'Connell with a 20-yard TD strike.

Temple struck on a trick play late in the first quarter, when Francis completed a wide receiver pass to DiMichele for a 43-yard gain that got the ball to the Miami 1. DiMichele scored on the first play of the second quarter, extending the Owls' lead to 14-7.