UConn vs. Temple Football: TV info, keys to the game, behind the numbers
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UConn Huskies (2-3, FBS Independent) vs. Temple Owls (2-3, 1-1 American Athletic Conference AAC)
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Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Time: 3:45 p.m. EST
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPNU (Ted Emrich, Fozzy Whittaker
Radio: UConn Sports Network (Mike Crispino, Wayne Norman, Adam Giardino)
Fox Sports 97-9 FM (Hartford), WAVZ 1300 AM (New Haven), WGCH 1490 AM (Greenwich), WILI 1400 AM/95.3FM, (Willimantic); WICH 1310 AM/94.5 FM (Norwich-New London)
Online: The Varsity Network App
SiriusXM 270 and on the SiriusXM App 980
Odds: Temple is favored by -3.5, O/U: 54.5
Series HistorySaturday’s matchup will mark the 22nd meeting for the two programs. Heading into the game, the Owls own a 14-7 overall record and a 4-2 home record against Connecticut. Since leaving the conference in 2021, UConn owns a 7-5 record versus AAC opponents.
The Huskies last faced Temple in 2024, when they defeated the Owls 29-20 at Rentschler Field. On the final play of the game, cornerback Jordan Wright snagged a fumble and returned it for a 96-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
In UConn Head Coach Jason Candle’s head-coaching debut at Toledo, the Rockets defeated the Owls 32-17 in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl. This is the only time Candle has faced Temple.
“[They’re] a very physical football team; a team that I think has played really good football the entire season,” Candle said. “Probably 6 or 7 quarters back when they didn’t play at their best, but without those, you’re potentially looking at an undefeated team.”
Pre-Game Press ConferencesFun With Numbers2: This is Temple’s head coach K.C. Keeler’s second season with the Owls.
67: UConn is 67th in the SP+ rankings in offensive efficiency after posting 499 yards with 6.7 yards per play last Saturday. Their 36.0 PPG ranks 36th in the nation.
98: Temple’s defense is ranked 98th in SP+ after a staunch effort against USF.The Owls’ offense is ranked 91st in SP+.
55: Temple is ranked 55th in offensive rushing success rate. RB Keveun Mason is averaging 5.3 ypc with 416 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on the season.
87: QB Ajani Sheppard led the Owls with 87 rushing yards in their 17-13 win over South Florida last weekend. Sheppard has the second-most rushing yards (234 yards) for Temple on the season.
7: After week 5, linebacker K’Von Sherman ranks No. 7 amongst linebackers in the nation in tackles. So far, Sherman has recorded 32 tackles (11 solo, 21 assisted), with three sacks.
9: Running back Cyncir Bowers is coming off a career-high 164 yards and two touchdowns. After his dominant performance, Bowers ranks No. 9 nationally in rushing yards.
Keys to the GameContaining The Temple Run
In the past five weeks, opponents have attacked Connecticut’s secondary. But Temple likes to run and throw the ball in short range. In their four-point triumph over South Florida, Sheppard only threw downfield twice over 20 yards in the air.
The squad mainly relies on the run game to move the chains. Against USF, the RB room accumulated 36 carries for 182 yards. By the end of the outing, Temple notched six 10-plus rushing-yard plays that led to three TDs, including a 34-yard rushing touchdown by Sheppard in the fourth quarter.
The Husky defense has been tested heavily by opponents, especially through the air. Temple may want to attack the Huskies’ vulnerability here, but as a team that depends on the run, they’ll look to establish there as well.
Offensive Consistency
In the Huskies’ overtime loss to Syracuse on Saturday, the offense stalled out in the second quarter, forcing Candle to make riskier decisions to tie the game. While the squad did rally back from a 20-point deficit twice against Syracuse, they could have made it easier on themselves with fewer unforced errors, like false starts. QB Kalieb Osborne has been productive, albeit inefficienct against Syracuse (50% completion), and has the ability to avoid sacks and keep drives alive.
“I told our offense at halftime, we’re going to maybe get maybe get six possessions in the second half,” Candle said. “We backed ourselves into a corner and we had to make do with our possessions.”
The Huskies went for it four times on fourth down. Candle said they needed to be aggressive under those circumstances, but it has also given that group some confidence. Osborne and a balanced set of contributions from playmakers has made this offense thrive. Look for Ky Wilson to build on his first outing last week, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards, while emerging talents like Ryder Treadway and JD Willoughby look to make an impact alongside Shamar Porter with leading receiver Javon Brown out injured.
Offensive LineStrength
For the past five weeks, Connecticut’s offensive line has consistently improved, which is one of many positives Candle took away from Saturday’s battle. This has helped Bowers find the hole more easily as the Huskies mounted a more balanced offensive attack. The O-line needs to continue its improvement and try to contain the pressure on Osborne in this game.