'Best' and 'Worst' awards Temple vs. Louisville
Temple college sports - basketball, football and more - covered by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey.
'Best' and 'Worst' awards Temple vs. Louisville
Keith Pompey, Inquirer Staff Writer
LOUISVILLE – My look at some of the best and worst performances from Louisville's 45-17 victory Temple on Saturday at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
Player of the game: Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater is the third consecutive opposing quarterback to torch Temple. The sophomore completed 19 of 28 passes for 324 yards and a career-best five touchdowns passes before being replaced early in the fourth quarter. Bridgewater compiled 228 of those yards and three of his touchdowns in the first half. His highlight was a 72-yard touchdown strike to a wide-open Ryan Hubbell in the first quarter.
Worst performance of the game: Temple quarterback Chris Coyer gets this award for the second time in three games. The redshirt junior lost three fumbles that led to 17 points for the Cardinals. He completed 2 of 8 passes for 20 yards. His final seven pass attempts were incomplete. Coyer was benched after committing his final turnover with 1 minute, 28 seconds left in the third quarter.
Best defensive performance: This award goes to Temple middle linebacker Nate D. Smith. The redshirt freshman finished with a game-high two sacks that totaled 24 yards in losses. In all, the 6-foot, 230-pounder record nine tackles.
Worst defensive performance: I’m sorry for beating a dead horse, but Temple’s defensive secondary needs to improve. For the third consecutive week, an opposing quarterback toyed with the Owls. Temple has given up a combined 12 touchdown passes in consecutive losses to Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Louisville. And on Saturday, the Cardinals receivers were open most plays.
Worst statistic: This goes to the Owls’ third-down conversions. Temple only converted 2 of 10 third downs. It would be hard to beat Podunk University by only converting 20 percent of your third downs.
Best debut: I know it was late in the game, but Temple third-string quarterback Kevin Newsome’s debut has superstar written all over it. Newsome entered the game with 2:42 left and had a 42-yard carry on what was his first play from scrimmage as an Owl. The Penn State transfer followed with a 9-yard run on the next play. He finished with three carries for 52 yards.
This is another brutal performance by the owls. They need to rethink their approach to the balance of the season including figuring out who their aces are next year in key roles. They're losing highly skilled playmakers at the end of this season in the backfield and on special teams. If they don't figure out some of these questions prior to next season it will become a repeat of old school owls football.— owl87- This was not just any quarterback, he has picked apart most if not all of the teams they have played. The Owls were certainly not expected to win this game. There were definite positives. The O line moved their line allowing opportunities for Montel. Temple WAS the better team in the first half, just like in the Rutgers game. Offense tried new plays. We went for it on 4th down. I like it. Matt Brown was spectacular. Let's not give up. The team is learning. Keep the heads up, finish strong. Focus and accentuate the positive. The O line was a definite positive, keep pushing them back! Chris fumbled but he has a lot of courage running like he does. Go Owls! One week at a time.— Platothe3rd
- Are the freshmen and sophs really beating out the upper classmen or is Daz trying to start from scratch and give the young guys lots of experience? I really liked Coyer, but 4 give-aways? If the Owls want any chance its time to change the QB. And how can the secondary be so bad? Its rediculous. Is it the players or the coaches/play calling? Yes, there are bright spots but more cohesiveness, consistency and less mistakes should be happening by now. Please not the old Owls again. I'm too old for that sh--. Go Owls.— joninohio
- Coyer is regressing, and his receivers suck eggs. I thought that Kevin Newsome looked athletic and may deserves some playing time and a couple packages.— damnels
- The coaching is a hige question mark. The Defensive secondary looks completely unprepared out there. You missed Heater in your worst commentary about the secondary.— JerseyOwl
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh graduate. Follow him on Twitter @pompeysgridlock. Reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
