Five observations on Temple’s 45-35 loss at Boston College

Mistakes and penalties were big reasons for Temple's 45-35 loss on Saturday to Boston College, but the Owls also has their poorest defensive showing of the season. Temple showed its accustomed grit in coming back from a 17-point third quarter deficit to get within 38-35, and later had a chance to take the lead, but the Owls appeared to run out of gas.

Here are five observations from Saturday's game:

After the game, coach Geoff Collins admitted that Boston College going to an up-tempo attack basically caught the Owls off guard.

"They went a lot of tempo, which hadn't been their thing the first four games," Collins said. Linebacker Shaun Bradley added, "Over the time of the game I think we got it a little bit, but it definitely threw us off."

College football teams always make adjustments. Temple or any team should be aware that an opponent could change things. This was reminiscent of what Temple said after the opening 19-17 loss to Villanova, that the Wildcats did things they didn't expect.

(The Owls had eight months to prepare for that game).

Temple's defense should be prepared for any team speeding things up offensively, especially by the fifth game of the season, whether an opponent has shown it on tape or not.

In Temple's three losses, there has been a constant occurrence — the failure of the defensive line to apply any consistent pressure. In its three losses, Temple has a total of two sacks. During the two wins, Temple has 13 sacks. There were no sacks against Boston College.

Not only that, but the Owls gave up a season-high 275 rushing yards. Even when Boston College's leading rusher AJ Dillon left the game for good early in the second half with injury, his replacement Ben Glines rushed for 120 yards and a score.

The biggest example of the Eagles' offensive line dominance came on their final touchdown drive. Leading 38-35, Boston College went on an 8-play 45-yard drive that ended with Glines 1-yard scoring run. Boston College ran the ball all eight plays. The Eagles were also aided by a personal foul by Temple's Sam Franklin that gave the Eagles eight additional yards, but still, this was an example of power football at its best.

Temple had three turnovers that led to 22 Boston College points. In their three losses, the Owls have committed eight turnovers. Granted, the fumble by quarterback Anthony Russo looked like an incomplete pass, but that said, Temple, and many teams aren't able to overcome so many miscues. In addition, Temple was penalized 11 times for 95 yards, both season highs.

After the game, Collins seemed steamed at the officials and didn't want to say much about them, but his lack of comment spoke volumes. In a way, it was remarkable that Temple remained competitive in the game for so long despite so many mistakes against a deeper, more talented team.

This is a recurring theme when Temple loses. The receiving corps, which is considered among the strengths of the team, is dropping too many passes. Russo completed just 20 of 45 passes, but there were several key drops. One of his interceptions came off a dropped pass.

Nothing kills the spirit of a team more than a dropped pass, especially when the receiver is open. Even Collins, who doesn't throw players under the bus, acknowledged when asked after the game how disappointing the dropped passes were.

While in a loss it is easy to focus on the negative, it also must be pointed out that Temple running back Ryquell Armstead is having the best stretch of what has been an impressive career. During the preseason, it was stated how the offense goes to a different level when Armstead is healthy. Last season he never missed a game but was banged up, with turf toe, a terrible injury for a running back who relies on cutting.

Armstead's strength is his combination of power and speed. During Saturday's 75-yard touchdown run, he showed he has an extra gear, out-running the secondary when he broke free. After it was mentioned to him that his feet look quicker, Armstead basically said it does wonders when you can run without turf toe.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Armstead, finished with 171 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries and it says here that the Owls should make him a bigger part of the passing game. He has four receptions this year, two which came on Saturday. Not only that, but he is also a strong pass protector.

Now healthy, he is showing what type of difference maker he is, having rushed for 100 or more yards in four consecutive games. His performance against Boston College was even more impressive, considering that the day before the game, he was told that his grandmother has lung cancer. Armstead said he was inspired by his grandmother and it clearly showed.