USF (1-7; 0-4 American) at Temple (2-6; 0-4 American)
Saturday, Nov. 5 • 2:00 P.M. • Lincoln Financial Field (67,594) • Philadelphia, Pa.
SURFACE: Bermuda Grass
TV: ESPN+: Richard Cross (PXP), Taylor McHargue (Analyst)
RADIO: 102.5 FM/102.5 HD 2
AUDIO STREAM: TuneIn - Bulls Unlimited 1
SERIES: Temple Leads, 5-3; STREAK: USF 1
IN TAMPA: USF leads, 3-1
IN PHILLY: UT leads, 4-0
LAST AT TEMPLE: UT won, 39-37, in 2020
LAST YEAR: USF won, 34-14, in Tampa
ROAD GAMES: USF lost last 16
USF GAME NOTES (PDF)
PHILADELPHIA — No one is confusing the Temple Owls for a championship-level team. But the Owls bring defensive pressure about as well as anyone in the nation — according to the national statistics — so the favored USF Bulls have a challenge to answer in Saturday's American Athletic Conference game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Temple (2-6, 0-4 AAC) ranks fifth nationally in sacks per game (3.62 spg) and fourth in tackles for a loss (8.8 tpg), while achieving a respectable 42nd ranking in total defense (352.0 ypg) — a number that was inflated by UCF's 737 yards in the 70-13 drubbing on Oct. 13.
For the Bulls (1-7, 0-4 AAC), the offensive line must display its leadership. And sophomore quarterback Katravis Marsh, making his second consecutive start after the season-ending injury to Gerry Bohanon, must show composure.
USF's offense has steadily improved and gained 429 yards (second-best this season) in last weekend's 42-27 defeat at Houston.
For success against Temple, though, it begins with the blocking of an offensive line that has adjusted well to injuries.
Stalwart left tackle Donovan Jennings suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sept. 24 at Louisville. So, tackle Demontrey Jacobs has moved from the right to left side. Left guard Demetris Harris (broken left foot) and center Brad Cecil (abdominal) are playing through injuries. Right guard has been split between Dustyn Hall (who played center in Cecil's absence) and UCF transfer Mike Lofton (who can play every position). Virginia Tech transfer Derrell Bailey is settling in at right tackle.
"We've had injuries like everybody else, but the truth is no one cares,'' offensive line coach Allen Mogridge said. "This game is about results and our guys have pulled together really well. They have so much pride and that translates to the field. You want overall success for them so badly because they are giving it everything. And I mean, everything.''
USF's O-line didn't allow a sack against Houston and permitted just one in four of the other seven games.
"We're gritty up there,'' head coach Jeff Scott said. "It might not be the same five that we started the season with, but the effort and performance is still there. We need that against Temple. You better have the right pass protection because Temple can hurt you if you don't.''
Scott said he doesn't put much stock in last season's 34-14 victory against Temple at Raymond James Stadium, other than some lingering confidence, because each year is different and the Owls have almost completely restocked on defense.
Travis Trickett, USF's offensive coordinator, said he's confident that Marsh will have another productive afternoon if the protection is adequate. Against Houston, Marsh was 24-for-34 with 275 yards and one touchdown, while leading touchdown drives of 85, 76, 65 and 67 yards.
"For the most part, Tray knew where to go with the ball (against Houston),'' Trickett said. "I told him, 'Now let's get better from week one to week two. There was nowhere to go but up and we got better for sure. He did the top priority, taking care of the ball (no turnovers) and he also knew where to go with the ball.
"Now we'll work on how to get the ball there. Hopefully, when you're good enough on the first few things, the rest will work itself out. We've got to build on last week. He's approaching it the right way and taking the coaching, so we have to keep building.''
USF's beleaguered defense must apply pressure of its own against freshman Owls' quarterback E.J. Warner, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. The Owls average just 2.6 yards per rushing attempt, so USF's defense might be anticipating a pass-first approach.
Overall, there's plenty to achieve at Temple. Beating the Owls would snap a six-game losing streak. It would be USF's first win at Philadelphia (0-4) and it would be USF's first road victory since 2019.
"We have a lot of goals we're trying to accomplish, but the biggest one is winning the game,'' Scott said. "People remember how you play in November. Most of the time, that month defines your season and we have an opportunity to go out on the right note.
"In four weeks, if we overcome the adversity and continue to show resilience, we'll be able to move forward with a good feeling. That's what the next four weeks are going to show us. I feel like we're coming closer together, working harder in practice and focusing in during our meetings. But ultimately, we want to win games. It seems like the arrow is pointing up and everybody inside the program knows that, but winning games will get everyone optimistic about where we are heading going into the next season.''
Trivia Time
In last season's 34-14 win against Temple, the Bulls had a program-record 421 rushing yards. Two players surpassed 100 rushing yards. Who were they? (Answer below).
Looking Ahead
Next Saturday, the Bulls return home to face the SMU Mustangs (4-4, 2-2 AAC heading into Saturday night's game against Houston).
First-year SMU coach Rhett Lashlee, a close friend of Trickett from earlier coaching stops, replaced Sonny Dykes (who jumped to TCU). Lashlee has endured some heartbreaks in narrow defeats against Cincinnati (29-27), TCU (42-34) and Maryland (34-27). Additionally, the Mustangs led UCF on the road at halftime, but surrendered 31 unanswered points in a 41-19 loss.
The Mustangs are led by efficient quarterback Tanner Mordecai (60.8 completion percentage, 2,121 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions) and elite receiver Rashee Rice (62 catches, 982 yards, six touchdowns). The Mustangs have a balanced rushing attack, led by Velton Gardner (277 yards, 5.0 average) and Tre Siggers (229 yards, four touchdowns).
In last season's game at Dallas, SMU won 41-17 behind Mordecai (301 yards passing, four touchdowns). USF is 3-3 all-time against the Mustangs, winning three straight games between 2014-16.
Trivia Answer
Last season against Temple, USF had a pair of 100-yard rushers — Jaren Mangham (26 carries for 152 yards) and Kelley Joiner (14 carries for 126 yards). Due to injuries, the pair have combined for just 30 carries and 123 yards this season.
