South Florida poses big threat to Temple
Stop if you've heard this before about Temple football - the Owls face another challenging task when they visit South Florida in Saturday's 7 p.m. American Athletic Conference game at Raymond James Stadium.
Stop if you've heard this before about Temple football - the Owls face another challenging task when they visit South Florida in Saturday's 7 p.m. American Athletic Conference game at Raymond James Stadium.
Even though No. 21 Temple is 8-1, and 5-0 in the AAC and can clinch the East Division title with a win, little has come easily for the Owls.
For instance they trailed a winless Central Florida team in the fourth quarter. Last week the Owls led 1-8 SMU by just a five points margin until breaking the game open with two touchdowns in the final two minutes.
Now comes South Florida (5-4, 3-2), one of the hottest teams in the AAC. The Bulls have won four of five, losing only to No. 22 Navy during that span.
South Florida is coming off last week's 22-17 win at East Carolina, a place that Temple faced difficultly before beating the Pirates, 24-14.
If the Bulls beat Temple, they would be one game behind in the East Division with two to play. Temple has Memphis (8-1) and Connecticut (5-5) left at home while the Bulls face Cincinnati (5-4) at home before visiting Central Florida (0-10).
If the Owls win the AAC East, they have chance to host the league championship game on Dec. 5.
Coach Matt Rhule says the Temple players understand all the implications of the game, but he doesn't want them dwelling on it.
"When we start thinking of what bowl we will go to or the conference championship, we tend not to play well," he said.
So Temple will focus on itself and also on seeing the defense turn around after a rare subpar effort in which SMU gained 397 total yards. The Owls still lead the AAC in total defense, allowing 335 yards per game.
Temple is also looking to buck history. The Owls have not beaten a Florida team on the road since Dec. 3, 1938 when the Owls defeated Florida, 20-12. Since then Temple is 0-10 in the Sunshine State.
The key will be stopping USF's spread offense, led by sophomore quarterback Quinton Flowers, who has rushed for 657 yards (4.9 avg.) and seven touchdowns and completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 1,446 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
"He is a dynamic player," Rhule said.
Sophomore Marion Mack has rushed for 835 yards (5.8 avg.) and four touchdowns. He is second in the AAC in rushing (104.4 yards per game). Temple's Jahad Thomas leads the AAC (970 yards, 107.8 per game).
Like Temple, USF has multiple receivers who have contributed, led by junior Rodney Adams, who has 24 receptions for 428 yards and six touchdowns. Adams also averages 30.5 yards per kick return.
Sophomore middle linebacker Auggie Sanchez is the defensive leader with a team-high 81 tackles.
"I think this is one of the best teams in the conference and they are getting better, they are young and Willie Taggart is an outstanding coach," Rhule said of USF.
Temple is relatively healthy, although senior center Kyle Friend will miss his second straight game with a knee injury and is being replaced by junior Brendan McGowan.
Owls junior quarterback P.J. Walker is playing his best football of the season. In his last three games he has completed 50 of 90 passes for 706 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.
As much as Temple will be challenged, USF's Taggart understands this will be a difficult task for his team, which is a three-point underdog.
"This is a physical Temple club and they play like their coach's personality," Taggart said. ". . . It's going to be a challenge for our team and we're very excited."
Temple received a commitment from Dae'lun Darien, a 6-4, 205-pound wide receiver-defensive end from Baltimore Dunbar. He is projected to play receiver. Daries is the 15th commit for the class of 2016.
@sjnard