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2010 Heisman Hopefuls: Bernard Pierce, Running Back, Temple

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2010 Heisman Hopefuls: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
Football fans in Philadelphia typically go to Eagles games when they want to watch football; good football that is. For the last 30 year, fans that attended games of the Temple Owls rarely saw good football. Over that time span the most wins the team ever saw was seven in 1990. Since their 10-2 season in 1979, the team finished below .500 26 times, won a single game seven times, and failed to win a game twice.
Success on the football field was something that seemed nearly impossible for the Owls. The team’s best years seemed to come in the 1930s and 1970s with many lackluster seasons in between. However, just like every college football program in the nation they always hoped to find success on the gridiron once again.
What every football team tends to need is at least one pivotal player that the team can look to; a go-to guy to lead the team on the field. Someone that can carry the team when need be, and lead on and off the field.
Finding such a player can be hard when your team has had as little success as the Owls have had. What the team needs is a player that is willing to take a chance on a down program and is willing to take a chance that he may be the key to the program’s turn around.
Temple got that in Bernard Pierce.
High School
Pierce played his high school ball in the tough football state of Pennsylvania. At Glenn Mills School he excelled as an athlete in more ways than just football. As a member of the track team his speed was evident; he ran the 100 meter dash in the fastest time in the state, 10.6 seconds.
On the football field he made rushing the ball almost look effortless. During his junior year he would be a second team all-state selection. As senior he would give college scouts something to desire when he rushed the ball 149 times for 1578 yards and 26 touchdowns. On the season he would average more than 10 yards a carry and 143 yards a game.
With such an impressive season it is no wonder that he would be recruited to play college football. While it may have been a surprise that he would go to a non-football school like Temple, but after his first year he likely made those that passed on the running back regret it.
College
In Pierce, the Owls got the game changer that the many teams just dream about. He would waste no time in making sure that his presence would be recognized. His carries were limited in the first two games, but when he was finally given the start and allowed to do what he does best in the third game (against Buffalo) he put on a rushing display.
After rushing for his first 100+ game against Buffalo he would go on to rattle off two more 100+ efforts against Eastern Michigan (180) and Ball State (125). An injury caused him to lose time in the game against Army, but he was well on his way to another 100+ game when he got pulled out (11 carries for 65 yards).
Pierce would return from injury in fine form going for over 200+ yards the next two games (212, 267); he almost got a third 200+ game against Miami (OH) when he rushed 40 times for 178 yards. By season’s end he would run the ball 236 times for 1361 yards and 16 touchdowns, the majority coming in just eight games.
Heisman voters like to see a player that obviously is vital to a team’s success. When you look at Temple it is clear that Pierce is a major factor in their new found winning ways. As a freshman he was showered with all sorts of honors and was on the candidate list for many awards including the Doak Walker Award and Heisman trophy. Barring injury he will undoubtedly compete for both again.

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