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Temple Set To Start Conference Play Against SMU

PHILADELPHIA, PA  (CBS) -- Last year, the Temple-SMU game resembled a shootout at the O.K. Corral. It could be another long day for defenses at the Linc on Saturday.

Temple and SMU combined for 100 points as the Owls outlasted the Mustangs, 60-40. Both teams have put up impressive offensive numbers in 2016, so Temple Head Coach Matt Rhule understands if another high-scoring affair will be on tap for Saturday at the Linc.

"That's really been the history of this series," said Rhule. "We've combined for 198 points the last two years. Last year was a 100-point game and the year before was a 98-point game. They've been high-scoring shootouts."

Saturday's game will be the first of eight straight conference games for Temple. The Owls went 2-2 in non-conference contests, and Rhule believes his team has come together after a rough opening night loss to Army.

"Our kids have really grown up in the last week," Rhule said. "We're just trying to be truthful about the way we play. This is what we did right. This is what we did wrong. We've opened up our team because we trust our veteran leadership."

Last year, Temple reached the American Conference title game before falling to Houston. This year, seniors such as Defensive Lineman Haason Reddick are hoping to close out their time in cherry and white with a championship.

"It's the conference," said Reddick. "We want to win the conference, go to the conference championship and win a conference championship. I know the seniors do and Coach Rhule does, but for the seniors, it will be the last eight times we take the field."

It all starts for Temple on Saturday. Both teams will take the field with 2-2 records outside of the conference. The stakes will be higher the rest of the season, but Tight End Romond Deloatch believes the Owls may be clicking at the right time.

"All of the players are coming together," Deloatch said. "The seniors are coming together and we're coming back to that Temple Football. We had a slow start, but we're getting it together and we're coming out strong and excited for conference play."

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