Temple faces an Ohio team that has overcome injuries

College football can be a grind. Week after week of nonstop, high-impact collisions can take their toll on even the most well-conditioned athletes.

So it is no surprise that Ohio University loves being in the midst of a 10-day break before hosting Wednesday's Mid-American Conference game against Temple.

"The timing couldn't be better for us," Bobcats coach Frank Solich said. "Hopefully, we will get a few guys back that had extensive injuries."

Like Temple (5-3, 3-2 MAC), Ohio has dealt with several injuries through the first eight weeks of the season.

But the Bobcats (5-3, 2-2) have had a who's who list of players miss at least one game with injuries, and at one point had four defensive starters out. Solich isn't sure whether three of those four will play against the Owls in Peden Stadium.

Defensive tackle Carl Jones (shoulder) is questionable after missing the last two weeks. Nose guard Neal Huynh (knee) is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game. Cornerback Octavius Leftwich (shoulder) could also miss this game.

Reserve tight end Tyler Knight (knee) is also questionable after missing the last four games. And reserve cornerback Xavier Hughes (shoulder), offensive lineman Matt Pritchard (knee), and tight ends Troy Hill (knee) and Zac Clark (knee) are all done for the season.

Having to battle mounting injuries, the Bobcats have had their ups and downs.

After starting the season 3-0, Ohio lost three of its next four games before defeating Akron, 37-20, on Saturday.

That victory, combined with Bowling Green's win over Temple, kept alive the Bobcats' chances to win the MAC East Division.

Ohio and division foes Temple, Bowling Green (4-4, 2-2), and Miami of Ohio (2-5, 1-2) all have two conference losses. The Bobcats will face the other two-loss teams in the final month of the regular season.