UConn @ Temple preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 4, 2016 ) Temple 21, Connecticut 0

Connecticut coach Randy Edsall admitted that last week was a total embarrassment for his team which surrendered a program-worst 70 points in a loss to Memphis. The Huskies, who haven't won in the conference or on the road for their last eight tries, travel to Temple on Saturday for an American Athletic Conference contest looking to snap a four-game skid overall.





"This is an embarrassment," UConn linebacker Vontae Diggs told reporters after last week's game. "On national TV, there's no way in life should a team ever put 70 points on you. Just thinking about that makes me sick to my stomach." Temple, which starts Connecticut native Logan Marchi at quarterback, humbled East Carolina 34-10 last week. Marchi had his best game yet, going 19-for-31 for 321 yards with two touchdowns in the 34-10 road victory. The Owls also got a big performance from running back David Hood, who rushed for a career-high 106 yards and a score, providing the offense with another weapon.
TV: Noon ET, ESPN News. LINE: Temple -10

ABOUT UCONN (1-4, 0-3 AAC): After the big loss to Memphis, the Huskies rank 124th out of 129 teams in the nation allowing 43.6 points a game. Memphis put up 711 yards, including 480 in the air to increase UConn's passing yards per game allowed to 399.8 -- most in the nation by a wide margin. UConn's Bryant Shirreffs was 21-for-35 passing for 310 yards last week and has nine touchdowns against only three interceptions since reclaiming the starting job following the season opener but he has yet to notch a victory.
ABOUT TEMPLE (3-3, 1-2): Marchi committed to UConn after his junior year in high school but after the Huskies changed coaches, the new regime reneged on its offer citing an NCAA Clearinghouse issue. Marchi said he's not out for revenge but added his grades were good enough to land him a scholarship at Temple. “I always wanted to play for my hometown school, but here I am and I love the school and bleed cherry and white,” Marchi told reporters.

EXTRA POINTS
1. UConn RB Arkeel Newsome had his best game of the season last week, rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
2. The Owls have won three straight and five of the last six in the series, including last year's 21-0 win on the road.
3. Hood is filling the void with leading rusher Ryquell Armstead (246 yards) hobbled with a leg injury.

PREDICTION: Temple 30, UConn 20