Offensive line key to Temple's hopes at Penn State

There could be a time in the not-so-distant future at Temple when they will look back on the performance of the offensive line and point to a place where it all came together.

They would love for that to be Saturday.

A young group - center Kyle Friend is the only returning starter - the offensive line has been nicked up in recent weeks. On Saturday, the Owls (5-4) will face a stingy Penn State (5-4) defense that is ranked first in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing defense (85.6 yards per game) and third in total defense (267.6). Last week, in a 13-7 win at Indiana, Penn State did not allow an offensive touchdown.

In Saturday's huge game at Happy Valley (noon, ESPN2), in which the winner will become bowl eligible, Temple hopes to have its line at full strength, something it hasn't had since the Houston game nearly a month ago.

The biggest issues have been on the left side, particularly at left guard, where, in the last three weeks, the Owls have been forced to start Semaj Reed, Leon Johnson, and starting right guard Brendan McGowan for Shahbaz Ahmed (ankle).

Last week, when McGowan manned the left side, the Owls were forced to use redshirt freshman Brian Carter, who started the Central Florida game at defensive tackle, at McGowan's right-guard spot.

Things could normalize, as Ahmed is expected to play. Still, gaining yards, protecting quarterback P.J. Walker, and putting up points for a Temple team that has struggled lately would be difficult under optimal conditions. In starting the season 4-1, the Owls averaged 38.8 points per game. They have gone 1-3 since then, averaging just 14.3 points.

"Defensively, Bob Shoop has done a great job with that defense," Owls coach Matt Rhule said of the Nittany Lions' defensive coordinator. "They basically shut out Indiana last week, and you see why they are so effective at what they do.

"We're going to have to apply some new wrinkles," Rhule continued. "They take away the run from you by blitzing and sending a lot of pressure. Our line is going to have to be ready for that."

Like most coaches, Rhule adheres to the "next man up" approach when dealing with injuries.

The Nittany Lions "are not going to care about who is out there," Rhule said. "We have to be ready for what they bring."