UConn @ Temple preview
Lincoln Financial Field
Last Meeting ( Oct 13, 2012 ) Temple 17, Connecticut 14
When Connecticut visits Temple on Saturday night, it will be a chance for both schools to commiserate over a football season filled with frustration and losses. With only one win between them, the winless Huskies face the Owls in a battle for the American Athletic Conference cellar. UConn, averaging 297.6 yards per game, owns the second-worst total offense in the conference while Temple ranks last in total defense, allowing an average of 522.8 yards.
The Huskies will be looking not only for their first win in 10 outings, but to also avenge last season's 17-14 overtime loss to the Owls in a game where Temple trailed the entire way until Chris Coyer's tying touchdown pass with 19 seconds left in regulation. The closest UConn has come to winning this season was a 13-10 loss to South Florida in Week 5, getting outscored in its last four games 172-64. The Owls beat Army 33-14 in Week 7 and nearly upset No. 20 Central Florida last week before falling 39-36 on a 23-yard field goal as time expired.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: Temple -8.5
ABOUT CONNECTICUT (0-9, 0-5 AAC): It has been a forgettable season all around for the Huskies, going back to the abrupt firing of third-year coach Paul Pasqualoni in September after an 0-4 start. Offensive coordinator T.J. Weist took over as interim coach, but has done no better as UConn is averaging only 16.2 points while allowing 35 points per game for second-to-last in the AAC in both categories. Lyle McCombs has been the lone bright spot on offense for the Huskies, ranking fourth in the conference in rushing average at 66.6 yards with four touchdowns.
ABOUT TEMPLE (1-9, 0-6): While the Owls' defense has been a mess under first-year coach Matt Rhule, their offense has held its own since freshman P.J. Walker took over in Week 5. Walker, who has passed for 15 touchdowns in six games since taking over for Connor Reilly, threw for a season-high 382 yards and four TDs in last week's loss to Central Florida, with Walker running in another touchdown as well. Robbie Anderson has been Walker's favorite target, averaging 19.8 yards per catch this season with 31 receptions for 614 yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Freshman QB Casey Cochran is the third starter under center this season for the Huskies, who have thrown for only nine touchdowns to go with 17 interceptions.
2. The Owls have lost three games this season in the final 35 seconds of regulation.
3. UConn leads the conference in turnovers with 24 while Temple's 15 turnovers are third-fewest in the AAC.
PREDICTION: Temple 31, UConn 24