Temple looks to get running game going against Villanova

The struggles of the defense rightfully received most of the attention after Temple's 49-16 season opening loss at Notre Dame, but another area where the Owls fell well below expectations was the running game.

Temple, under new coordinator Dave Patenaude, has an offense with two different looks. He has hurry-up packages out of the spread, but the Owls will run the ball frequently out of a pro set.

Against Notre Dame, the running game was not much of a factor. The Owls rushed for 85 yards on 37 carries for a 2.3 average.

Temple will need junior Ryquell Armstead to improve on his opening-game performance when the Owls host Villanova on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Armstead, who rushed for 919 yards (5.9 avg.) and 14 touchdowns last season, was limited to 67 yards on 19 carries (3.5 avg.) against a swarming Notre Dame defense.

"I definitely missed a couple of runs, but overall I was pleased with my run game against Notre Dame," Armstead said. "I made something happen, fought through some difficult times, and I am excited to see what the run game will present this week."

Armstead came out of the Notre Dame game a little banged up.

"I will be fine," he said.

The product of Millville High will certainly have Villanova's attention.

"That No. 7 [Armstead] is a talented back," Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said. "I know he gained almost 1,000 yards last year, and we will have to be ready for him."

Notre Dame stopped Armstead from making many explosive plays. He had two gains of 10 or more yards, running for 10 and 17 hard-earned yards, against a Notre Dame defense that looked more proficient against the run than the pass.

Armstead says he expects to be the focus of most teams' defensive game plans.

"I am going to be a target," he said.

While Logan Marchi threw for 245 yards,  Temple's foundation would like to control the clock, and the best way to do that is the running game.

Last year was a classic example of how Temple needs to run the ball well to succeed. The Owls were 10-4 overall but 0-4 when they failed to rush for at least 100 yards.

Despite falling behind 28-3 against Notre Dame, Temple stuck to its game plan and attempted 34 runs.

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., at Lincoln Financial Field

Online streaming: ESPN3
Radio: WPEN-FM (97.5); WTEL-AM (610).

Records: Villanova (1-0); Temple (0-1).

Coaches: Villanova, Mark Ferrante (1st season, 1-0); Temple, Geoff Collins (1st season, 0-1).

History: Villanova leads the series 16-15-2.

Last meeting: Temple, 41-10 on Aug. 31, 2012 at Lincoln Financial Field, the third consecutive win in the series for the Owls.

1. In discussing Villanova's talent, Collins cited Villanova senior safety Rob Rolle, an NFL prospect. "That safety No. 4 is a really good player," Collins said. In last week's 38-35 win at Lehigh, Rolle, a former standout at South Jersey's Delsea High, he had eight tackles and returned a fumble 63 yards to set up a touchdown. That is believed to be the longest fumble return in school history based on available data.

2. Temple's defense allowed 606 yards of total offense in last week's 49-16 loss at Notre Dame. The Owls were controlled by one of the best offensive lines in the country. Collins said a major problem was the misfits, which means players not filling in the right gaps. Temple worked on that this week and also on not giving up the big play. Another problem the Owls had was not getting much of a pass rush and Notre Dame was able to frequently pick up the Temple blitzes.

3. Last week with Temple wide receiver Ventell Bryant out with a hamstring injury, sophomore Isaiah Wright helped pick up the slack with four receptions for 79 yards. Last season Wright totaled 81 receiving yards (on eight receptions). He is most dangerous running after the catch. Bryant, last year's leading receiver, has returned to practice and is expected to play.

4. Temple quarterback Logan Marchi looked confident in his first start, completing 19 of 35 for 245 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Marchi had some key overthrows, but for the most part he acquitted himself well. He entered the game with six career passing attempts.

5. Villanova quarterback Zach Bednarczyk threw for 209 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 72 yards and a score on eight carries against Lehigh. A 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior, Bednarczyk has made 22 career starts and is 14-8 as a starter. He is eighth in school history with 4,889 yards of total offense.