Temple rode its defense to comeback win at East Carolina
GREENVILLE, N.C. - For one of the few times this season Temple's defense seemed to be reeling. The Owls trailed East Carolina 14-10 at halftime and had allowed 218 total yards. Considering that Temple had surrendered 244 total yards combined in its previous two wins over Tulane and Central Florida, this first-half performance was surprising.
GREENVILLE, N.C. - For one of the few times this season Temple's defense seemed to be reeling. The Owls trailed East Carolina 14-10 at halftime and had allowed 218 total yards. Considering that Temple had surrendered 244 total yards combined in its previous two wins over Tulane and Central Florida, this first-half performance was surprising.
The second half was a different story for the No. 22 Owls, who reverted to form by pitching a shutout in the final two quarters during Thursday's 24-14 win at East Carolina.
"I thought our defense was outstanding in the second half," said Temple coach Matt Rhule, whose team entered the game eighth nationally in scoring defense and is now allowing 14.6 points per game.
What made the effort more impressive is that East Carolina has used a two-quarterback system all season, with James Summers a dangerous runner, and Blake Kemp the more effective passer.
Kemp, who got rid of the ball quickly on many short passes, completed 31 of 48 for 272 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Summers was just 2 of 4 passing for 11 yards and was held in check on the ground, rushing for 29 yards on seven carries. He started the game but Kemp played the majority.
Temple had a short week after Saturday night's 30-16 win over visiting UCF and then the Owls had to prepare for two quarterbacks with distinctly different styles.
"It was tough, but the coaches did an excellent job preparing us," said Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who had 13 tackles, a sack, and an interception that he returned 26 yards, showing his old high school running back moves. "We knew what one [of the quarterbacks] might do more than the other."
This all came from an abbreviated week of intense film study.
"We knew what sort of plays they would run," Matakevich said. "That was a tribute to the coaches to get us ready."
Temple had six sacks, its second-best total since recording 10 in the opening 27-10 win over Penn State. (Conversely ECU had zero sacks).
Outside linebacker Stephaun Marshall had nine tackles. Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis had six tackles and two tackles for loss. Cornerback Sean Chandler added eight tackles, while also contributing two pass breakups.
In addition, the player who might have had the biggest impact was defensive lineman Sharif Finch, who was the special teams standout. Finch partially blocked one punt in the fourth quarter that went for 36 yards. He fully blocked the next one, giving Temple the ball on the ECU 15 and setting up the Owls' final touchdown, a 14-yard run by Jahad Thomas two plays later.
Finch missed last week's win over Central Florida with a knee injury.
"I can't say enough for Sharif Finch coming off a knee injury to block two punts and that last punt really kind of put the game away," Rhule said.
There were many other outstanding performers on defense and special teams. And it came against an ECU team that was averaging 32.1 points.
The Owls were on the field for an extended time. ECU had a total of 88 rushing and passing attempts compared to 61 for the Owls.
"We were tired but the guys did an excellent job of doing their job," Matakevich.
And that job consisted of a second half that showed the unit at its best.
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