SMU-Temple preview

SMU at Temple

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Saturday, noon, at Lincoln Financial Field

Records: SMU 2-2; Temple 2-2.

TV: ESPNews.

Radio: 97.5 the Fanatic

History: The series is 1-1-2. The Owls won 60-40 at SMU last Nov. 6.

About SMU: The Mustangs' two losses have come against Big 12 teams, Baylor, 40-13, and last week against TCU, 33-3. SMU trailed TCU 6-3 at the half before the Horned Frogs pulled away. In the loss at Baylor, the score was 6-6 at halftime. . . . SMU has lost quarterback Matt Davis, with a season-ending knee injury. Redshirt freshman QB Ben Hicks has thrown two touchdown passes but seven interceptions. Courtland Sutton, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound sophomore receiver, has 18 receptions for 449 yards and four touchdowns. Sutton leads the nation with 24.9 yards per catch amongst receivers with at least 15 receptions. . . . SMU leads the nation with 10 interceptions, with cornerbacks Horace Richardson and Jordan Wyatt having three each. . . . The Mustangs are scoring an average of 19.8 points and allowing 27 per game. . . . Junior defensive end Justin Lawler (6-4, 262) has 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks. . . . SMU has matched its win total from last year when the Mustangs went 2-10.

About Temple: QB Phillip Walker has completed 63 of 109 passes for 846 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. Walker wasn't sacked in last week's 48-20 win against Charlotte after being sacked nine times in the first three games. In two career games vs. SMU, Walker has completed 44 of 62 passes for 561 yards, 8 TDs and 0 interceptions. . . . Junior free safety Sean Chandler has 23 tackles, one interception and is averaging 13.2 yards per punt return. . . . Redshirt senior tight end Romond Deloatch had six receptions for 133 yards and last week earned a sack in a brief appearance at defensive end. . . . Temple has just five sacks this season, ninth in the 12-team AAC. . . . Temple leads the AAC and is 11th nationally in passing defense, allowing 146 yards per game. . . . Running back Jahad Thomas was named to the AAC Honor Roll with 143 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns vs. Charlotte. . . . Redshirt senior defensive end Haason Reddick has 13 tackles and five tackles for loss.

- Marc Narducci

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