Don’t get caught up in the 52-3 loss to Cincinnati – that’s just the way the American Athletic Conference rolls this year.
Temple was able to get by Memphis in a key win thanks to a decent passing attack and just enough balance to get by. Oh there are issues, but the pass defense hasn’t been all that bad – at least until the last two games – there isn’t a turnover problem, and the team is rested after getting two weeks off.
Now it gets a USF team that just can’t get this thing going. The Bulls struggle to get to 300 yards offensively, but …
This team is so, so close to finally turning a corner.
No, there’s not enough consistent offense – it’s sort of the shocker so far under head coach Jeff Scott – but it in the game against Tulsa and it put up a decent fight against BYU.
The 32-31 loss to the Golden Hurricane was the first time all year USF played an FBS team its own size, and it showed. The other losses? NC State, Florida, at BYU, at SMU.
Getting Temple in Tampa is a real chance to pull off the first win over an FBS team since late October in 2019.
This is a bit of a defining moment for both teams.
Temple is deep in the hunt for a bowl game if it can win this – there are two more wins to possibly be had on the rest of its slate if it gets to 4-2.
This might be the last winnable home game for USF with Houston and Cincinnati the final two chances – and it’ll make the most of it.
Don’t expect anything pretty.
The USF defense will have problems giving up big plays, but Temple has a hard time moving the chains. It’ll come down to the last few drives, and at home, the Bulls will finally be on the right side of the breaks
Temple Owls College Football Preview 2021: Offense
– Temple didn’t have a lick of luck. It had a hard time getting the season going, it had a hard time coming up with any consistency, it never seemed able to get any sort of flow, and the offense wasn’t able to do much of anything right.
It finished tenth in the conference averaging just 348 yards and 20 points per game, the running game wasn’t there, the passing game was woefully inefficient, and …
– The pass protection was great. It was one of the few strong areas on the attack – the Owls allowed 12 sacks and a league-low 1.7 per game. That’s not anything to blow off – it’s a good base the rest of the offense needs to work around. Four starters are expected back with only new Colorado State Ram Vincent Picozzi gone at right guard.
Now the backs have to get more production without leading rusher Re’Man Davis. He left for Vanderbilt, but the Owls are bringing in two interesting talents in Iverson Clement from Florida and Ra’Von Bonner from Illinois. They’re both 200-pounders who can grind, and Tayvon Ruley is back after finishing second behind Davis – by only two yards – with 306 yards and a score.
– Things just got really interesting at quarterback. Six Owls threw at least two passes last year, but now leading passer Anthony Russo is gone to Michigan State, Trad Beatty is off to Georgia Tech, and in comes D’Wan Mathis.
The 6-6, 205-pounder was the starter for a cup of coffee at Georgia last year, and now the one-time star recruit combines with former Iowa State big get Re-al Mitchell to try making the passing game go.
The guys are there in the receiving corps. This might not a high-powered attack to showcase his skills, but Jadan Blue is one of the AAC’s better receivers, and he’s not alone with four of the top five targets back. That includes tight end David Martin-Robinson, who caught 11 passes for 147 yards.
No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.
5. College Football News Preview 2020: Temple Owls Offense 3 Things To Know
– The offense wasn’t anything special – there wasn’t much of a running game, and the passing attack was just okay – could use some tweaking and more of an identity. The offensive line should be able to do its part again after being one of the team’s biggest strengths.
CFN in 60 Video: Miami Preview Temple at Miami, Sept. 5
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C Matt Hennessy left, and the Atlanta Falcons picked him up in the third round. On the way from Northern Illinois is CJ Perez to push for the opening, and former LSU transfer Leon Pinto has a start under his belt. If the middle can be settled, the other parts will be just fine with two solid tackles with 6-7, 305-pound junior Isaac Moore and 6-5, 295-pound junior Adam Klein back, and a few transfers coming in to help the cause.
– It’s a good thing to be the main running back under head coach Rod Carey. 5-9, 210-pound sophomore Re’Mahn Davis led the team with 936 yards and eight scores – and he caught two touchdown passes – but he’ll need help in the rotation. Tayvon Ruley and Kyle Dobbins got in a wee bit of work, but the battle for the No. 2 guy is open.
– The quarterback situation got interesting – in a good way. Todd Centeio – who finished third on the team in rushing – left for Colorado State, but in comes former Iowa State star recruit Re-al Mitchell to make a run. However, he’s likely going to be the main man next year – senior Anthony Russo is the returning No. 1 after throwing for 2,861 yards and 21 scores, but with 12 picks.
Most of the top wide receivers are back, but TE Kenny Yeboah left for Ole Miss. Purdue’s Darius Pittman is coming in to push for the job, and if he’s eligible, Nazir Burnett is in from Georgia Tech to potentially make a splash at one of the receiver spots.
Leading receiver Jadan Blue is back after coming up with 95 catches for 1,067 yards and four scores, and 6-5, 220-pound Braden Mack returns after leading the way with seven touchdown catches and serving as more of a deep threat – he caught 59 passes for 904 yards.
NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Temple Owls Defense 3 Things To Know
Bradley is an athletic linebacker who has been a leader for the Owls since his sophomore season.
Bradley led the Temple Owls with 85 tackles (10 for loss, one sack, one interception) in 2017. As a junior, he was again consistent, recording 78 stops (four for loss) and two interceptions — one returned for a touchdown.
In his final season for the Owls, Bradley earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors after leading the Owls with 87 tackles, eight for loss, and three pass breakups.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Temple center Matt Hennessy
Every NFL offense wants a smart, physical presence at the heart of their offensive line. A talented center who can recognize what opposing defenses are doing, effectively communicate to his teammates, and execute at a high level are invaluable.
That’s why Temple’s Matt Hennessy should be one of the first ones selected in the 2020 NFL draft.
Hennessy recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his career playing for the Owls, how facing elite competition in high school prepared him for the road ahead, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.
JM: You’re an experienced starting center. You really were the leader of that Temple offensive line. How does that experience serve you well going forward?
MH: You need to be capable of being a leader if you’re going to play the center position at a high level. That just is what it is. It really falls on you to organize the offensive line position room. You have to take the lead on that. It’s extremely important. That experience will be a great asset for me as I transition to the NFL.
JM: What do you enjoy most about playing center?
MH: I love being in control. I’m making all of the calls at the line of scrimmage. It’s my job to put the team in the best position possible. I love having all of the pre-snap responsibilities and assignments.
JM: You had all of those responsibilities at Temple?
MH: I did. I loved every second of it. A center is like having another coach on the field. You’re the guy that has to adjust to the pressure. You have to put the team in the best position possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s a run or a pass. That responsibility falls on me. It’s the best position for me.
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JM: You’ve been training out at the Sanford Power facility. How has the training process been going for you?
MH: It’s been excellent. I’ve always looked forward to this part of the process. I feel like I have an unlimited amount of resources at my fingertips out here. It’s a wonderful feeling and situation to be in. They’re doing some cutting edge training out here. The strength and speed components have been awesome. The nutrition aspect of it has been top notch. I’ve progressed a lot out here. It’s been a lot of fun.
JM: Your brother, Thomas, played college football at Duke, and he currently plays for the New York Jets. He’s bounced around the league a little bit. You’ve had a front-row seat to the ups and downs of this league. What has that taught you?
MH: It’s exactly what you said. In terms of entering the league, he was an un-drafted guy who signed with the Indianapolis Colts and they actually traded him before the first game of his rookie campaign. It really just taught me the business aspect of the NFL. Us players are essentially assets that can be signed, released or traded at any given moment. You need to add value to the organization and you’re expendable.
JM: Do you have a scheme that fits you best at the next level?
MH: No, I really don’t. I think that my skill set is pretty versatile. I can play in anything.
JM: Is there a scheme that maybe you’re more experienced with?
MH: I would say anything with a big zone scheme. That’s the scheme that allows the center to get out and reach the nose tackle. That’s absolutely huge in my opinion. It can create such large creases in the run game. That’s one scheme I really enjoy, but I’ll be excited to play in any scheme.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
JM: Who are some of the best pass rushers you’ve squared off with?
MH: It’s funny, I’ll actually take you back to my high school days. I played at a powerful school in North Jersey called Don Bosco Prep. We were playing nationally and I was actually playing mostly tackle at the time. Throughout high school, I played against guys like Nick Bosa and Rashan Gary. Getting into college, I remember playing against Ed Oliver and Jerry Tillery. Those are just some of the better players I’ve seen throughout my career.
JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent as an offensive linemen?
MH: Wow, that’s a great question. Finishing blocks is huge. Having the block that springs open a big run is a great feeling. To be able to finish the block at the end of that is the ultimate feeling. There’s just something about that psychologically. Throwing a body blow like that definitely takes a toll on your opponent throughout the game. It plays such a big role in the fourth quarter. Being able to consistently do that means you’re the more physical team, and the physical team is the one that pulls away at the end.
JM: Is there a pass set that you prefer utilizing more often than others?
MH: Not really. I’ve had three different offensive line coaches at Temple. I’ve worked with a number of different sets. I enjoy whatever helps me get on a guy quicker. Setting vertically is a good example of that. I really enjoy it all though.
JM: Is there one NFL quarterback that you’d love to block for?
MH: It’s tough for me to single anybody out. I’d love to block for a quarterback that’s a great communicator. All of the legendary quarterbacks are good communicators. They all have a great lead on things. That’s what makes them great. I like a quarterback that’s well prepared and communicates well. When you do those things, it goes back to what I said earlier about what I enjoy about playing center. It’s all about the pre-snap responsibilities and being prepared to execute at a high level.
JM: What kind of impact is Matt Hennessy gonna make at the next level?
MH: Matt Hennessy is gonna be a long-term guy for whichever organization decides to draft me. I’m somebody that’s gonna help move the culture forward. I’m gonna be around for at least 10 years.
Hennessy is a tough, experienced offensive linemen that served as the leader of the Owls offensive line. Hennessy was named to the Midseason First Team All-American (PFF) and Midseason Second Team All-American (AP) in 2019.
“Following a great deal of discussion with my family, teammates and coaches, I have decided to declare for the 2020 NFL draft,” Hennessy said in his declaration statement. “For the past three and a half years, I have woken up every day grateful to be a Temple Owl.”
His decision comes as no surprise, as Hennessy had a strong year despite battling an injury.
Hennessy is an intriguing interior offensive linemen who could be a value pick on Day 3.
