Temple Welcomes PSU To Town To Open Season On Saturday
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With preseason camp in the books, the Temple Owls are now focusing on their season opener. On Saturday, they will welcome the Penn State Nittany Lions to the Linc.
Temple head coach Matt Rhule says his team hasn't missed a beat going from camp mode to the first week of game prep.
"It's been great, our players have handled it with maturity," Rhule tells KYW Newsradio. "They've gotten their academic work done, they've gotten to class, they've handled the change in schedules great. All of our focus when we're on the field is getting ready for a really good Penn State team to come in."
Listen to the entire interview with Temple's Matt Rhule:
Last season, Penn State beat the Owls, 30-13, in State College on November 15th, en route to a 7-6 season for the Nittany Lions that ended with a win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Rhule has a lot of respect for what Penn State brings to the table on defense.
"Just how talented they are and how well put together they are," Rhule says. "They basically shut down everybody last year and I know they certainly gave us trouble. So I think they were a top-five, top-ten defense in every category. Their defensive line is outstanding. Well coached, they have a great plan with Coach (defensive coordinator Bob) Shoop."
Temple's defense did a great job of containing Penn State's fine quarterback Christian Hackenberg in last year's match-up, holding him to a 12 for 26, 112 yard performance. They also intercepted him twice. However, the Owls allowed 254 yards rushing.
Rhule talks about what his team needs to do in this season opener.
"I think we have to find a way to run the football and we have to stop their running game, that's first and foremost" Rhule says. "And then we have to win the turnover battle. Last year it was 6-3 at halftime, it was 20-13 going into the fourth quarter, you know a seven-point game, that's anybody's game. We turned the ball over a couple of times in the fourth quarter and it ended up being a rout. So if we can protect the football, find a way to run the football and stop the run, then hopefully we can get the game to the fourth quarter."
Temple and Penn State kickoff at 3:30pm on Saturday.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
