Temple Goes For Second Straight Win Vs. Penn State
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Temple Owls will head to central Pennsylvania this week to visit Penn State on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls bounced back from their season opening loss to Army in fine fashion this past Saturday as they shutout visiting Stony Brook, 38-0.
"I thought it was a good day for everybody," Temple head coach Matt Rhule tells KYW Newsradio. "I thought we played well defensively, offense took advantage of short fields, special teams made some big plays and most importantly we were able to get everybody in. So all the kids that are on our team, that we're not red-shirting, were able to get in the game and that's always a program goal each and every year."
Listen to the entire interview with Temple's Matt Rhule:
The Temple defense absolutely smothered the Stony Brook offense, holding the FCS Sea Wolves to seven first downs and just 133 yards of total offense.
Penn State is 1-1 here in the early going. The Nittany Lions kicked off the season with a 33-13 home win against Kent State. Then last week, Penn State lost at Pittsburgh, 42-39. The Nittany Lions roared back from a 28-7 second quarter deficit, but could never quite get over the hump.
Of course, the signature win of a special 2015 Temple season came over Penn State, 27-10. It was the program's first victory over the Nittany Lions since 1941.
As they try to make it two straight wins over Penn State, they will have to find a way to contain what Rhule says is a dynamic offense.
"Trace McSorley, their quarterback, I think you see a guy with real moxie," Rhule says. "You can tell kids rally around him, whether it was the bowl game last year or the first two games this year. He's got something special about him."
McSorley was 24 of 35 throwing the football against the Panthers for 332 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted once.
"(Running back) Saquon Barkley," Rhule adds, "We think, is one of the best college football players in the country. He plays with tremendous energy and passion. He's really tough to defend. They've got a core of great receivers, a really well coached offensive line."
Barkley rushed for 85 yards and scored five touchdowns (including one receiving) in the loss to the Panthers.
Saturday's game at Beaver Stadium kicks off at noon.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
