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Temple taking a breather before final critical two-game stretch

Temple football coach Matt Rhule says his team will use this long-awaited bye week to heal up from assorted bumps and bruises.

Temple football coach Matt Rhule says his team will use this long-awaited bye week to heal up from assorted bumps and bruises.

"It's time for us to recover and get ready for the last two-game stretch," Rhule said during Monday's American Athletic Conference call with reporters.

Temple has won a season-high four in a row and is 7-3, and 5-1 in the AAC. If the Owls win their final two games, Nov. 19 at Tulane and Nov. 26 at home against East Carolina, then the Owls will win the East Division title and play in the AAC championship game for a second straight year.

Rhule said it's too early to tell about the status of cornerback Derrek Thomas, who started on Friday, but left the game due to an undisclosed injury.

"He's a little banged up and we will know more next week," Rhule said. "Most of our guys would be able to play this week if they could."

Rhule added that he feels confident Thomas will be ready to go next week.

Notable. Temple's game at Tulane on Nov. 19 will start at 3:30, it was announced on Monday.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard