Temple not fooled by its 2-1 record
As Temple (2-1) begins play in the American Athletic Conference Saturday, the feeling permeating the Owls is that it's time for the offense to make its presence felt.
As Temple (2-1) begins play in the American Athletic Conference Saturday, the feeling permeating the Owls is that it's time for the offense to make its presence felt.
Temple, which plays at UConn (1-3, 0-1 AAC), has gotten off to a good start - a win would give Temple a 3-1 record for just the third time in the last 27 seasons - on the strength of its defense and special-teams play.
After winning just one AAC game in 2013, the Owls lead the AAC in total defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, scoring defense, turnover margin, fourth-down percent defense, and red-zone defense.
They haven't required much from their offense to this point. But coach Matt Rhule has not been pleased with what he's seen from the offense.
"I think the offense has a lot of work to do if we want to go ahead and win some games," Rhule said earlier this week. "We have some guys who can make a play here or there, but we certainly are not clicking on all cylinders."
The Owls have scored a defensive or special-teams touchdown in their last four games dating back to the 2013 season finale, a 41-21 victory over Memphis. But Rhule knows these are trends that can end quickly.
He'd like to see better decision making from quarterback P.J. Walker, more physicality from the offensive line, and more consistency out of the running game.
"We've got to get better in all of those areas," Rhule said. "We're going to be tested this week by a team that is as physical along the line of scrimmage as any team we see this season. They are going to be physical against us and try to test our physicality."
While much has been made of how UConn rallied from a 21-0 halftime lead to overtake the Owls by 28-21 last November at frigid Lincoln Financial Field, the Huskies would gladly exchange their offensive shortcoming for the Owls'.
Under first-year coach Bob Diaco the Huskies are last in the conference in both total offense (253.2 yards) and scoring offense (16.0). Their only win this season was a 19-16 squeaker over Stony Brook. They are coming off a 17-14 loss to South Florida that saw them held to six first downs and 145 yards on offense.
Temple at Connecticut
When: Saturday at 4 p.m.
Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.
Records: Temple (2-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference); UConn (1-2, 0-1 AAC).
Radio: 97.5 FM.
Coaches: Temple, Matt Rhule (2d season, 4-11); UConn Bob Diaco (1st season 1-2).
Series: This is the 14th meeting between the teams. The Owls lead the series, 9-5. UConn won the last meeting, 28-21, Nov. 23, 2013.
Three Things to Watch
UConn has the worst offense in the AAC. The Huskies will try to establish the running game against the Owls.
Temple continues to look for a deep passing threat. Look for the Owls to try to work the ball downfield to receiver Derrek Thomas.
Quarterback P.J. Walker is still nursing a high ankle sprain. Temple needs to keep the Huskies defenders off of him and give him time to get on track.
Three Things You Might Not Know
A win on Saturday would give Temple sole possession of first place in the AAC for the first time.
Last week, the Owls held Delaware State to just 93 yards on offense. The Hornets ran just two plays the entire game on Temple's side of the field.
Junior all-conference linebacker Tyler Matakevich is one of just two players on Temple's roster from Connecticut. The other is freshman offensive lineman Jaelin Robinson.
- John N. Mitchell
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