After PSU Win, Temple Focuses On AAC Opener At Cincinnati

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Many Temple football fans are still basking in the glory of one of the biggest wins in program history as on Saturday the Owls smacked Penn State at the Linc 27-10, beating the Nittany Lions for the first time since October of 1941.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Owls. On Saturday, they will open American Athletic Conference play with a trip to Ohio to play the preseason favorites to win the American, a very talented Cincinnati Bearcats team.

While the focus is now on the Bearcats, Temple head coach Matt Rhule says the Penn State win was special.

"I'm really happy for our kids," Rhule tells KYW Newsradio. "Not just but a few short months ago they were sitting there and being told they weren't going to a bowl game. I thought they showed a lot of resolve, a lot of heart in the off-season. Went out there and played a really good football game against a great team and I was just really happy for them. I think, for our kids, it was just a step in the right direction, but at the same time, obviously they know that it was a really good win against a really good team."

Listen to the entire interview with Temple's Matt Rhule

The Temple defense grabbed the headlines against Penn State, and rightfully so, as they pummeled the Nittany Lions into submission, sacking quarterback Christian Hackenberg 10 times. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich had three of those sacks and as a result, he earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.

But on the other side of the football, the Temple offense played a very smart game against the Owls. P.J. Walker was efficient at quarterback, completing 75% of his passes and rushing for a score. That was one of three rushing touchdowns for the Owls. Junior Jahad Thomas had the other two, complimenting a 135-yard day. Rhule breaks down why the Owls were able to run the ball successfully.

"We were able to convert a couple third downs and just keep our offense on the field," Rhule says. "The running game is so cumulative, you're not going to always be great early, but if you can stay on the field, if you can keep running, running, running, eventually you hope you can wear the defense down, find some seams. I thought our offensive line played an outstanding game. Jahad Thomas ran the football really well."

Cincinnati was also victorious in its season opener, dismantling Alabama A & M, 52-10.

"I think our team knows how good Cincinnati is," Rhule says. "We've played them the last three years, we haven't been able to beat them. They had 636 yards on offense (last week), Gunner Kiel's one of the best quarterbacks in the country. So even if we play our best, it's still going to be a dogfight. They're just fantastic on offense and Coach (Tommy) Tuberville's a great defensive coach. So I think our kids know what we're in for, we had a good practice (Monday) morning and we'll prepare all week and go out there and let it rip and see how we do."

Last season the Bearcats beat the Owls at the Linc, 14-6.

Saturday's game will kickoff at 8:00pm.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.