Temple Preview

The BC Eagles will look to improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big East as they take on the Temple Owls this Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Owls are off to another difficult start at 1-2 following a win against Navy and losses to Toledo and Bowling Green. In their last game against Bowling Green the Owl defense played fairly well, holding the Falcons to only 248 yards of total offense. However, a pitiful Temple ground attack that managed less than one yard per carry, eleven penalties, two interceptions for touchdowns and poor special teams were enough to help Bowling Green to a 42-23 victory.

The Owls will start Freshman Mike McGann at quarterback. McGann started his first game in Temple's last outing against Bowling Green, completing 23 of 46 passes for 256 yards but threw three interceptions, including two that went for Bowling Green touchdowns. Junior Sean Dillard leads Temple receivers with 12 catches and 217 yards. To say that Temple's running game has been anemic is a huge understatement. The Owls have gained a net of 2 yards on 54 carries in the past two games, including a 22 carry/-27 yard performance against Toledo. Temple will look to regain the magic that enabled them to gain 285 yards on the ground against Navy. Senior fullback Jason McKie has been the best back for Temple in 2001, gaining 149 yards on 20 carries. Junior Tanardo Sharps, a 1000 yard rusher last year, is having a difficult time this season with only 25 yards rushing on 27 carries.

On defense, the Owls have several outstanding players. Senior Linemen Raheem Brock and Junior Dan Klecko are the stength of the Temple defensive line. Brock has led the defense with 23 tackles, 2 sacks and an interception. Klecko, returning from an injury-plagued 2000 season, has 14 tackles and a sack. Temple Senior Taylor Suman is also regarded as one of the Big East's best linebackers. The Owls have been stingy against the run in 2001, allowing opponents only 2.8 yards per carry. William Green, who is averging 5.2 yards per carry, will look to change that.

The Eagles are 24-7-1 all time against the Hooters, including a dominant 31-3 win last year at Alumni Stadium. In other news, Temple reached an agreement with the Big East that will keep them in the conference through 2004. Temple is 9-47 in Big East conference play since 1993. BC has won eight of the last ten meetings between the two teams, but the Owls have played the Eagles tough in many of those games.





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If Temple loses I'll just drown my sorrows with a jello pudding pop, you see?





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