East Carolina QBs have Temple defense on notice
In a short week, No. 22 Temple faces yet an additional challenge - having to prepare for two quarterbacks. The Owls (6-0 overall, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) visit East Carolina (4-3, 2-1) on Thursday night in a battle of East Division contenders.
In a short week, No. 22 Temple faces yet an additional challenge - having to prepare for two quarterbacks.
The Owls (6-0 overall, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) visit East Carolina (4-3, 2-1) on Thursday night in a battle of East Division contenders.
East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill has been using two quarterbacks extensively and said during an AAC conference call Monday that he doesn't plan to abandon that strategy.
So that means Temple will have to prepare for juniors James Summers and Blake Kemp.
"One of the things you learn is that you may have a certain system and you have to adjust to what you have," McNeill said. "We can use them both and will continue using both."
Temple coach Matt Rhule is impressed with the quarterback situation.
"When you turn the tape on, they are scary, whichever quarterback is in," Rhule said.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Summers is the better running threat, having rushed for 354 yards (6.7 average) and seven touchdowns. He has completed 30 of 44 passes for 417 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.
Kemp (6-1, 207) has completed 154 of 215 passes for 1,556 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He is credited with minus-36 yards rushing.
Temple's P.J. Walker is a third-year starter who has shown good leadership and toughness in running the offense. He separated his shoulder in the first game, against Penn State, but he hasn't missed any time.
In the 30-16 victory over winless Central Florida on Saturday, Walker seemed to take a hard hit late in the game.
"I got hit in my jaw, but I am good, though," Walker said.
Despite being ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and No. 24 in the USA Today coaches poll, Temple is a 21/2-point underdog.
No doubt the Owls' inconsistent performance, plus ECU's strong season, which includes a win over Virginia Tech, played a factor in Temple's underdog status. The Pirates are also 3-0 at home after their 30-17 win over Tulsa on Saturday.
"We are underdogs in this game and it is a role we have done for a long time," Rhule said. "The kids probably relish that role."
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