Temple's Chris Coyer the key to beating Connecticut

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. - Temple could have a tough time reaching a milestone unless quarterback Chris Coyer is on top of his game.

A victory over Connecticut on Saturday at Rentschler Field in East Hartford would mark the first consecutive Big East Conference victories ever for the Owls. Temple rejoined the league this year after being kicked out after the 2004 season.

A traditional run-first team, the Owls (2-2, 1-0 Big East) cannot afford to be one-dimensional against the Huskies (3-3, 0-1), who boast one of the nation's best defenses.

That's why Coyer is expected to play a vital role in deciding the outcome of UConn's homecoming game.

The redshirt junior must complete passes to keep defenders from loading the box to stop Temple's rushing attack.

"I can't afford to make mistakes," the redshirt junior said, "and I have to be a leader out there on the field.

"I have to be at the very top of my game every game. I have to be executing at the highest level as [I possibly can] . . . for us to win some of these games as we go further into the season."

Lack of execution in the passing game has been one of Temple's biggest problems. The cause is debatable.

Some say it's because of an inexperienced and often overwhelmed offensive line that does not give Coyer enough time to go through his progressions. Others blame it on a receiving corps that dropped 15 passes in the first three games. But most of the blame has gone to Coyer.

His critics believe he holds onto the ball too long, is shaky in the pocket, and struggles with accuracy.

Whatever the reason, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder, last season's offensive MVP in the New Mexico Bowl, is having a rough season.

He has the worst completion percentage (54.6) among the Big East's starting QBs.

Coyer has connected on 41 of 75 passes for 530 yards and five touchdowns and an interception. Coyer's pass efficiency rating of 133.36 ranks sixth among the conference's eight starting quarterbacks.

However, he did show improvement in last week's 37-28 victory over South Florida.

Coyer completed 16 of 20 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.

"I definitely played a little bit better in that game," he said. "But I have to keep elevating that."

When: Saturday at 1 p.m.

Where: Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.

TV/Radio: ESPN3 (online); WPHT-AM (1210)

Records: Temple (2-2, 1-0 Big East); UConn (3-3, 0-1). 

Coaches: Temple, Steve Addazio (second season, 11-6); UConn, Paul Pasqualoni (second season, 8-10).

Series: Temple leads, 8-4.

Betting line: UConn by 51/2

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

It will be interesting to see if Temple can establish a running game. The Owls have a talented one-two tandem in Montel Harris and Matt Brown. But the Huskies rank eighth nationally in rushing defense (82.3 yards per game).

Will the Owls score a first-quarter touchdown? Buffalo is the only team to produce an opening-quarter touchdown against the Huskies.

Can Temple's defense produce takeaways? Connecticut's offense is a miscue waiting to happen. Huskies quarterback Chandler Whitmer has thrown 10 interceptions. Connecticut has also lost five fumbles.

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

Rutgers' Jawan Jamison rushed for 110 yards last week to become the first opposing running back to rush for at least 100 yards against the Huskies since Louisville's Bilal Powell in 2010.

Pasqualoni gave Addazio his first coaching job as an assistant at Western Connecticut State in 1985. Addazio later coached under Pasqualoni from 1995 to 1998 at Syracuse after turning Pasqualoni's high school, Cheshire (Conn.), into a national power.

A victory would give Temple consecutive Big East wins for the first time in school history. The Owls are in their first season back in the conference after being kicked out following the 2004 campaign.

- Keith PompeyEndText