East Carolina senior quarterback Shane Carden had his worst day of the season Saturday as the Pirates, who were ranked 23rd in the College Football Playoff selection committee's rankings, were shocked 20-10 by Temple.
It was Temple's first win over a top-25 team in The Associated Press poll since 1998. The upset came in windy, rainy and cold conditions (temperatures were in the 40s) in Philadelphia.
The Owls won despite managing just 135 total yards. ECU committed five turnovers -- all fumbles, including one returned for a touchdown.
ECU (6-2) had been the highest-ranked non-Power Five conference team in the selection committee's ranking; the highest-ranked non-Power Five team is guaranteed a slot in one of the playoff-affiliated bowls, but the loss almost certainly takes ECU out of the running.
Carden was 24-of-41 for 217 yards. He had thrown for 400 yards four times this season and had thrown for fewer than 283 yards just once, a 250-yard outing in a win over USF. In addition, it was just the third time in his three-year career as a starter -- and the first time in 10 games -- he did not throw a touchdown pass. Carden went into the game third in the nation in passing yards per game (367.7) and fourth nationally in total offense (382.7 per game).
One bit of good news for Carden: He now owns the school record for total offense with 10,328 total yards. The previous record-holder was former NFL quarterback David Garrard (10,238 from 1998-2001). Carden already held school career records for passing yards, passing TDs and completions.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
