Five observations on Temple’s 49-6 win over East Carolina

Here are five observations from Temple's 49-6 win over East Carolina, which moved the Owls' record to 3-3 overall and  2-0 in the American Athletic Conference.

Among the impressive traits of redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Russo is his short memory. In his first start, a 35-14 win at Maryland, he threw a pick-six, and immediately led Temple to a touchdown drive on the next series.

Similarly, during the first series in the Owls' win over ECU, he threw an interception. Russo actually had the right intention: He felt there was pass interference and thought by throwing it, he would get the flag. Still, he conceded it was a throw he'd like to have back. But immediately afterward, he led the Owls to touchdowns on their next three series and ECU never was competitive after that. This was Russo's fourth straight start, and one can see the confidence growing. For now, the week to week questions about Temple's starting quarterback won't have to be addressed.

While analytics are big in all sports, one simple statistic can sometimes predict success. For Temple, that would be dropped passes. It's no coincidence that Temple's best two offensive games were a 35-14 win at Maryland and Saturday's victory against ECU. The total dropped passes from both games: zero. The week before in a 45-35 loss at Boston College, Temple had seven dropped passes. The Owls also dropped seven passes in a 36-29 loss to Buffalo.

Who knows the outcome of either game if the Owls were more sure-handed. After the Boston College game, receiver and return specialist Isaiah Wright talked about how much extra time the Owls spent on the JUGS machine. The Owls haven't put together back-to-back games with zero drops. That will be a key stat when Temple visits Navy on Saturday.

Against ECU, the Owls were leading, 35-3, when Ryquell Armstead lay on the ground after being hit. He finally got up, began limping toward the sideline, and then jogged the rest of the way. Looking for 100 yards for a fifth straight game, Armstead returned early in the fourth quarter with Temple leading, 42-3. After being tackled for a loss, he limped off the field again. (Armstead finished with 91 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.)

Whether he is hurt severely or not, there is no way that Temple should have allowed him back in a game that was out of reach. When asked, Collins said Armstead wanted to go back in and that is why he went in. The coaches should have overruled him. It's unwise to use Armstead as a situational pass rusher and even on special teams because of the position he plays. Plus, Armstead played all 13 games last year despite being hampered virtually the entire season with turf toe.

He is a true warrior who will never leave a game on his own. The Owls have to use better caution with him. Armstead at less than 100 percent will severely hurt the offense, where he remains the key person.

Freshman receiver Sean Ryan scored his first touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Russo to open the scoring against ECU. He got to see more action because redshirt senior Ventell Bryant got banged up in practice and saw limited duty in the game. Even with a healthy Bryant, Ryan should continue to see more time. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, he can outleap defenders and has shown the ability to get separation.

Ryan enrolled in school in January and was the talk of spring practice. The key for him was learning what is a complex offense, and it appears he is getting more comfortable. That he has worked his way into the rotation on one of the deepest positions of the team shows Ryan's talent. He has big-play ability and should be a more vital part of the offense over the second half of the season.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley has yet to start a game, but he has earned sufficient playing time, which has been warranted. For the second straight game, he led or tied for the team lead in tackles with six against ECU. He has totaled six or more tackles in four consecutive games.

Graham-Mobley (6-2, 220), like many of the other Temple linebackers, has good speed and flies to the ball. He is also a special teams standout, having scored on a 19-yard fumble of a kickoff return against Boston College. His improvement from last year to now has been substantial.