Watch: Temple's crucial tush-push try goes spectacularly wrong

Temple Owls offensive lineman Kevin Terry (56) reacts after being defeated by the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. David Butler II-Imagn Images

Watch: Temple's attempt at game-winning tush push goes spectacularly wrong

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Oct 5, 2024 8:00 PM ET

The Temple Owls found themselves with a fourth-and-goal situation, trailing by three points with three seconds to play in their game against UConn on Saturday afternoon.

Instead of kicking the chip-shot field goal and playing for overtime, the Owls decided to go for it and lined up for a tush-push attempt for what could have been a game-winning touchdown.

The good news: There was a touchdown scored on the play.

The bad news: It was not scored by Temple.

The play went spectacularly wrong as Temple fumbled, allowing UConn's Jordan Wright to pick up the ball and race 96 yards the other way for a touchdown.

Have a look.

UCONN UCONN UCONN!!!

Fumble recovered and returned for 96 yards to seal the deal! pic.twitter.com/c8QrFPRSeM
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) October 5, 2024

On one hand, you have to get Temple credit for going for the win. The Owls entered the game 1-4 and are probably not in contention for a bowl game.

On the other, this is another reminder that the tush-push, Brotherly Shove or whatever name you want to give the play, isn't as easy or consistently successful as the Philadelphia Eagles have made it look for the past few years.

Temple learned that firsthand.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

More must-reads: