Temple freshman RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.) has earned Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for the East division, the MAC announced on Monday.
After leaving the Army game with an injury, Pierce returned to the starting line-up in Saturday night’s 40-24 win at Toledo. He rushed for 212 yards and three touchdowns on season-high 40 carries while helping the Owls to their fifth consecutive victory and a 4-0 perfect MAC record for sole possession of the lead in the MAC East.
With his one-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Pierce set the school record for a freshman for rushing touchdowns in a season. With his three scores, he now has nine TDs on the season, surpassing Paul Palmer (1983) who had six as a freshman. Pierce also became Temple’s all-time freshman rusher with 766 yards, surpassing Palmer who had 628 yards.
Pierce’s three touchdowns are the most for him in one game this season. The last time a Temple player rushed for three touchdowns in a game was 2004 by Walter Washington against Syracuse. Pierce now has four 100-yard rushing games, the most of any freshman in school history.
Pierce’s 212 yards marks the first time an Owl has rushed for 200 yards in a game since Tanardo Sharps rushed for 215 on 48 carries at Rutgers in a 20-17 win on Nov. 16, 2002.
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