Temple University Athletics
Temple Heads to Connecticut for First Road Game
9.11.07 | Football
Sept. 11, 2007
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THIS WEEK
Temple, under the direction of second-year head coach Al Golden, takes to the road for the first time this season, with the first stop of a three-game road swing at Connecticut. Kickoff is set for Noon on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The game will be televised regionally by ESPN (shown in Philadelphia on 6ABC) with Bob Picozzi handling play-by-play and former Rutgers coach Doug Graber on color commentary.
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on WFIL 560 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis. Live gametracker stats and audio streaming will be available on the Temple Athletics website at www.owlsports.com.
The Huskies, under the guidance of ninth-year head coach Randy Edsall, stand a perfect 2-0 after wins at Duke (45-14) and against Maine (38-0). UConn averages 186 yards rushing per game while holding opponents to just 39.5 yards on the ground. In the passing game, the Huskies throw for 247 yards compared to 121 yards for their opponents. UConn has scored nine times in 10 trips to the red zone.
Like the Owls, UConn sports a youthful roster which lists just six seniors. After posting a 4-8 record last season, the team is off to its best start in two years. Golden and Edsall have never coached against each other, but the coaching duo has taken similar paths along the coaching lines. Both served as defensive assistant coaches at Boston College, and both have coached at ACC schools; Golden at Virginia and Edsall at Georgia Tech.
In series action, Temple leads Connecticut, 7-2. Since UConn has moved into the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division IA), the teams are tied in series action, 1-1. In the teams' last meeting on Oct. 23, 2004, UConn captured a 45-31 win over its then-BIG EAST rival in Hartford. This is the first meeting between UConn and Temple under Golden.
COMMON TIES
Temple head coach Al Golden is a graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, N.J., which is also the alma mater for UConn sophomore TB Donald Brown. Golden served as the school's offensive coordinator during the 1993 season before moving into the collegiate coaching ranks.
TU offensive coordinator George DeLeone is a Connecticut graduate, earning his bachelor's in physical education in 1970. The New Haven, Conn., native attended Fairfield HS and coached at Southern Connecticut State University from 1970-79.
HOMEWARD BOUND
Overall, Temple has eight players­-- QB Colin Clancy (Stonington); WR Dy'Onne Crudup (New Haven); DE Brian Sanford (Hartford); DE Elisha Joseph (Hartford); LB Elijah Joseph (Hartford); DT Terrance Knighton (Windsor); FB Bryce Buffaloe (Berlin); LB Alex Joseph (Stamford)-- from the state of Connecticut, five of whom are listed on the depth chart.
CONNECTICUT TWINS PLAY IN CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE
Twin freshmen DE Elisha and LB Elijah Joseph (Hartford, Conn.) return home to Connecticut this week, wearing the Cherry & White. A starter in the season opener, Elisha has seven tackles, including one for a loss of 17 yards, and fumble recovery against Navy. Elijah also racked up playing time against Navy.
Sophomore LB Alex Joseph (Stamford, Conn.), who is not related to the twins, has started both games for the Owls at outside linebacker. Alex returns to his home state with four tackles under his belt.
TEMPLE-CONNECTICUT: THE SERIES
Saturday's game will mark the 10th meeting between the Owls and Huskies. Temple holds a 7-2 advantage in the series which began in 1963. During the teams' last meeting in 2004, UConn claimed a 45-31 win at home. This is Temple's second trip to Rentschler Field.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Connecticut: 7-2 Temple in games at Temple: 4-0 Temple in games at Connecticut: 3-2 First meeting in series: 1963 at Temple Stadium; W, 9-7 Last meeting in series: 2004 at Rentschler Field; L, 45-31SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls Connecticut Huskies Rushing: Mac DeVito 13-18-202, 4 TD (`01) Rushing: Rick Robustelli 17-39-281, 2 TD (`70) Passing: W. Washington 21-44-276,2 TD (`04) Passing:  Terry Caulley 20-79, 1 TD (`02) Receiving: Sean Dillard 9-148, 2 TD (`01) Receiving: Keith Kraham 6-155, 1 TD (`70)
