Temple Soccer suffered its first lack of the season final week and now it faces one other top-25 crew.
Temple got here again to actuality final week in opposition to No. 13 Oklahoma. The Owls misplaced 42-3 after a 2-0 begin that confirmed this system’s first glimpse of hope in years. The offense by no means discovered its footing and whereas the defense had success at factors, they ultimately succumbed to the Sooners’ firepower.
Temple’s subsequent check isn’t any simpler.
The Owls journey to Atlanta to tackle No. 18 Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are hovering following an upset win in opposition to then No. 12 Clemson, holding their undefeated season alive. The Owls must recuperate their momentum, but it surely received’t be straightforward in opposition to their second consecutive ranked opponent. This time, in opposition to a crew that hasn’t misplaced on its residence subject since 2023.
“It’s one other prime 20 opponent we’re going to get an opportunity to go play,” mentioned head coach Okay.C. Keeler. “This time we’re going to should carry out on the highway for that. So, the main target is de facto extra about us. For us to be in that sport in any respect final week, we would have liked to play so much cleaner and we didn’t. So, let’s get that cleaned up.”
Right here is all the pieces you should know earlier than Temple’s sport on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
GET THE OFFENSE REVVING
Temple’s offense hit the bottom working to start out the season, accumulating 97 factors and greater than 1,000 whole yards. The Sooners restricted the Owls’ manufacturing to a mere subject aim and 104 whole yards.
Temple now should revive its offense if it desires an opportunity in opposition to Georgia Tech.
The Owls should re-establish their passing sport after the Sooners restricted them to 78 passing yards. Oklahoma’s line of defense continuously pressured quarterback Evan Simon within the pocket, which was pivotal in Temple changing on simply three of its 16 third-down makes an attempt.
Temple’s run sport had the identical quantity of success with simply 26 speeding yards throughout the rout. Temple will goal to have success in opposition to an ailing Georgia Tech speeding protection. The Yellow Jackets hand over 147 speeding yards per sport, fourth most within the Atlantic Coast Convention.
The Sooners’ protection constantly stuffed the Owls on first and second down on the bottom, resulting in a number of third-and-long conditions. Operating again Jay Ducker was restricted to only 24 yards, with 20 coming from one run. Operating again Terrez Worthy additionally struggled with 10 yards on the bottom.
PRESSURE IS KING
Temple’s protection was definitely not at its greatest final week, however there have been shiny spots. The Owls’ line of defense appeared like they belonged on the identical subject as Oklahoma for a lot of the sport. They held the Sooners with out a landing for 5 straight drives earlier than working out of gasoline.
The line of defense was profitable at pressuring Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer all through the sport. He was typically pressured to scramble and Temple obtained him for a sack and a deal with for loss. Nevertheless, Mateer’s potential to make use of his legs thwarted any strain by scrambling and lengthening performs.
Temple will face Hayes King, one other top-level quarterback who’s equally snug utilizing his legs. The Owls must strain King to make him uncomfortable within the pocket but additionally restrict his working expertise. Defensive lineman Sekou Kromah and linebacker Cam’ron Stewart have spearheaded Temple’s protection and will likely be essential in stifling King’s potential to affect the sport.
ON GEORGIA TECH
Georgia Tech has each ounce of momentum heading into the matchup. The Yellow Jackets are coming off an upset victory in opposition to then No. 12 Clemson, the place kicker Aidan Birr nailed a 55-yard subject aim within the ultimate moments to take the 24-21 win. The sport resulted in a prime 25 rating, whereas Temple hasn’t taken down a ranked opponent since 2019.
King has an identical model to Mateer, who capitalizes along with his arm and legs and created an issue for Temple final week. King leads Georgia Tech with 259 speeding yards and 4 touchdowns. He threw for 211 yards and ran for 103 yards and a landing in opposition to Clemson.
The Owls’ offense couldn’t get previous the Sooners and the identical challenge might happen this week in opposition to a Yellow Jacket crew that has scored 57 extra factors than their opponents. Georgia Tech has allowed simply 17.7 factors per sport, tied for fifth within the ACC.
Linebackers E.J. Lightsey and Kyle Efford made it troublesome to get previous them with 17 and 14 whole tackles, respectively. Defensive backs Clayton Powell-Lee and Omar Daniels have 16 and 13 tackles, respectively, and Daniels has the Yellow Jackets’ sole interception of the season.
“The check with Georgia Tech is that they’re going to be slightly bit like us offensively,” Keeler mentioned. “They’re going to present you these shifts and people motions and so they’re going to attempt to get you out of place and so they additionally do an amazing job of working the soccer proper at you. Defensively, they did a very good job in opposition to Clemson final weekend.”
SPOILER ALERT
Colin Schofield, Co-Sports activities Editor — “Temple’s schedule doesn’t loosen up as they should tackle the Yellow Jackets on the highway. Georgia Tech is red-hot and poses one other distinctive problem at quarterback. I believe Temple will stay aggressive in opposition to the Yellow Jackets however will finally fall brief.”
Georgia Tech wins 34-18.
Sienna Conaghan, Co-Sports activities Editor — “Temple has one other tall activity in entrance of it after struggling its first lack of the season. Whereas the Owls didn’t look hopeless throughout their loss to Oklahoma, there have been clear areas that wanted enchancment. With Georgia Tech’s momentum and vitality heading into the matchup, I believe Temple will likely be outperformed as soon as once more.”
Georgia Tech wins 35-14.
Jacob Moreno, Assistant Sports activities Editor — “Temple was motivated to make an announcement in opposition to Oklahoma final week, however ended up on the receiving finish of a blowout. The Owls have an opportunity to redeem themselves in opposition to Yellow Jackets, one other troublesome opponent. Nevertheless, Temple must play good in lots of classes for it to have a shot at successful. If the Owls’ offense will be reignited whereas the protection comprises King to the diploma they did Mateer, they will hold the sport aggressive. In the end, Temple could also be outmatched as soon as extra.”
Georgia Tech wins 38-17.
Xavier Johnson, Sports activities Engagement Editor — “Temple suffered a devastating loss in opposition to thirteenth rank Oklahoma final week. The Owls have been struggling to fireplace off on all cylinders on the offensive aspect whereas Georgia Tech has been killing on the run sport. Georgia Tech quarterback Hayes King hasn’t even thrown a single landing this season within the ranked 18th within the nation. I really feel as if Temple will likely be aggressive on the defensive aspect, however I query their offensive functionality in opposition to Georgia Tech protection.
Georgia Tech wins 28-7.
COLUMN: Protection offers hope following blowout loss
Temple Soccer has but to call a starter, however Gevani McCoy and Evan Simon have been competing for the job since Might.
The Owls had loads of protection as they beat Akron on Senior Day, 27-6.
Regardless of a strong offensive efficiency, the Owls’ protection was unable to step up of their eighth lack of the 12 months.
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