PHILADELPHIA--The day didn't start off so hot for Penn State cornerback Chaz Powell in the Nittany Lions' 14-10 win against Temple on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
On the Owls first drive, the senior was burned badly and hit with a pass interference call that set up the game's first touchdown by Temple's Bernard Pierce. Later, he got in a shoving match with the Owls' Matt Brown that caused off-setting personal foul penalties to be called.
With the game on the line, though, Powell stepped up in the fourth quarter.
Facing a 3rd-and-14 on his own 36-yardline, Temple quarterback Mike Gerardi dropped back and threw toward the near sideline, where Powell was waiting to pick off the pass. Then, it was off to the races as Powell took the ball back 26 yards, settling the Lions up in scoring range while trailing by three.
Evan Lewis missed a field goal on the ensuing Penn State drive, but Powell did all he could to put his offense in a position to score and thwarted a Temple threat with an exclamation point. It was the type of big play on defense that Lion defenders have been talking about making all season, and it helped Penn State get a much-needed win.
Here are some of Powell's comments post game.