Temple's McManus named MAC Specialist of the Week

Temple K Brandon McManus

CLEVELAND – Temple sophomore kicker Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) has earned the season’s first Mid-American Conference Specialist of the Week honors for the East division, the MAC announced on Monday.

In Temple’s 31-24 win over Villanova on Friday, McManus made a career-high four field goals against the Wildcats, including the game-winning 43-yarder with just three seconds remaining. He also added a PAT. He leads the Owls in scoring with 13 points.

His 53-yard field goal in the second quarter was his career long. It was also the second-longest field goal in school history. Don Bitterlich holds the school record with a 56-yarder (vs. Akron) and a 53-yard (vs. Dayton) from the 1975 season.

Against Villanova, McManus also kicked off seven times for 455 yards, averaging 65.0 yards per kick.

The MAC honor is the third of McManus’ collegiate career and his first this season.

Temple (1-0, 0-0 MAC) opens MAC play with defending champion Central Michigan (1-0, 0-0 MAC) on Thursday, Sept. 9. ESPNU will televise the contest live at 7 p.m. from Lincoln Financial Field.