Quick kicks

Temple ends longest skid

The perfect spiral from Temple quarterback Adam DiMichele was in the air, and Bowling Green defensive back Jerett Sanderson was beaten.

When the ball landed in the hands of Temple sophomore wide receiver Bruce Francis downfield, a Homecoming Day crowd of 17,431 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia erupted.

Francis, who was day-to-day this week because of a troublesome hamstring, finished off the third-quarter play for a 45-yard touchdown, and the Owls were on their way to a 28-14 victory Saturday that was their first of the season after eight losses.

Francis’ touchdown stood up as the difference.

Francis and his teammates gave first-year coach Al Golden his first win with the Owls, and the triumph ended a 20-game losing streak that dated back to the 2004 season.

It was the longest in the nation.

Nicklaus dots the ‘i’

Jack Nicklaus has won 18 major golf championships during a glittering half-century in the spotlight. He got one of his biggest thrills in Columbus, Ohio, by impersonating a sousaphone player and helping to spell his home state.

“They spelled it right and I got my footwork right,” Nicklaus said on the sideline after dotting the ‘i’ in the Ohio State marching band’s signature maneuver, Script Ohio, at halftime of the game between Minnesota and top-ranked Ohio State.

Nicklaus, a former Ohio State golfer, wore a black baseball cap with a red “O” on it – exactly like the one worn by longtime family friend and former Buckeyes football coach, the late Woody Hayes.

Nicklaus became only the fifth non-band member – it’s usually a sousaphone player – to be accorded the honor. The others are former Ohio State president Novice Fawcett, comedian Bob Hope, longtime university ticket director Bob Ries and Hayes.