Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Temple Football Travels to No. 12/10 Louisville
10.29.12 | Football
GAMENOTES IN PDF
THIS WEEK
Temple travels to No. 16/14 Louisville for the teams' first-ever BIG EAST match-up on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for Noon at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
ABC will broadcast the game live regionally. The game will be shown locally on WPVI (6ABC).
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on 1210 AM WPHT with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of second-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-4 overall and 2-2 in BIG EAST play after a 47-17 loss at Pittsburgh. The 2012 Temple squad returns 35 lettermen, including nine starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Senior RB Montel Harris (Jacksonville, Fla.) is the Owls' top rusher with 463 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries. Sophomore Jalen Fitzpatrick (Harrisburg, Pa.) is the top receiver with 22 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Junior QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) is 77-of-140 for 870 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 354 yards and two TDs. True freshman LB Tyler Matakevich (Stratford, Conn.) is the top defender with 56 tackles, including 36 solo takedowns, and two break-ups.
In this week's national rankings, Temple is ranked among the nation's best in several categories— No. 23 net punting (39.85) and No. 26 sacks (2.57). Individually, senior RB Matt Brown is No. 11 in punt returns (15.20) and No. 29 in all-purpose running (132.71), while senior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) is No. 13 in punting (44.67) and No. 26 in field goals (1.43).
Under the tutelege of third-year coach Charlie Strong, nationally ranked Louisville is 8-0 overall and 3-0 in BIG EAST play after a 34-31 overtime win over Cincinnati. The Cardinals return 18 starters to their multiple offense and 3-4 defense.
Among the Top 25, Louisville is ranked No. 13 in passing efficiency (160.04). Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater is No. 12 in passing efficiency (163.38).
Junior RB Senorise Perry is Louisville's top back with 624 yards and 11 touchdowns on 120 carries. Junior WR Damian Copeland has 28 receptions for 358 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater, this week's BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, is 162-of-229 for 2,110 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sophomore S Calvin Pryor leads all defenders with 61 tackles, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
ANOTHER NATIONALLY RANKED?OPPONENT— UPSET HISTORY
For the second time this season, Temple faces an undefeated opponent ranked among the nation's Top 25. Two weeks ago, the Owls hosted No. 19/17 Rutgers at Lincoln Financial Field. After roaring to a 10-0 start, TU gave up 35 second-half points in the defeat.
Louisville is the first ranked team the Owls will face on the road this season and the first Top 10 team Temple has played since the 2009 season [No. 5 Penn State].
TU has two upsets of ranked teams in its history. Since 1974, Temple has faced 76 nationally ranked teams, including 30 teams ranked in the Top 10.
TU's two upsets came on the road— a 28-24 win at No. 14 Virginia Tech on Oct. 17, 1998, under coach Bobby Wallace and a 24-21 win at No. 16 Pittsburgh on Sept. 19, 1987, under coach Bruce Arians.
While the Owls have never beaten a Top 10 opponent, they have faced the nation's No. 1 ranked team five times. [see p. 23 of gamenotes for history]
TEMPLE-LOUISVILLE CONNECTIONS
Head coaches Steve Addazio (offensive) and Charlie Strong (defensive) worked as coordinators at Florida under Urban Meyer, helping the Gators to National Championships in 2007 and 2009. TU defensive coordinator Chuck Heater worked with the duo at Florida, too, as the assistant defensive coordinator/safeties/recruiting coordinator.
Temple defensive line coach Sean Cronin was a graduate assistant coach at Florida from 2006-08, while offensive line coach Justin Frye was a G.A. from 2009-10 under Addazio. Louisville defensive backs coach Tommy Restivo was the defensive graduate assistant at Florida under Strong.
Senior DB?Vaughn Carraway's cousin James Bryant played linebacker at Louisville [2007-08].
Temple has no players on its roster from Kentucky.
Louisville has no players on its roster from Pennsylvania. Sophomore WR Kai Dominquez (Montvale, N.J. / St. Joseph's Regional) is the only Cardinal player from the tri-state area.
TEMPLE-LOUISVILLE— THE SERIES
Saturday's game will mark the sixth meeting between the Owls and Cardinals (and first in BIG EAST play) in a series that began in 1980. Temple holds a 3-2 series advantage.
In the teams' last meeting in 2006, Louisville handed Temple a 62-0 shutout on first-year head coach Al Golden's home debut at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cardinals, who racked up 671 yards of total offense, held the Owls to just 16 yards rushing.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Louisville: 3-2
Temple in games at Temple: 2-1
Temple in games at Louisville: 1-1
First meeting in series: 1980 at the Fairgrounds; W, 17-12
Last meeting in series: 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field; L, 62-0
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Harold Harmon 13-116 (1982)
Passing: Mike McGann 24-45-304, 1 TD?(2003)
Receiving: Ikey Chuku 7-103 (2003)
Louisville Cardinals
Rushing: Kolby Smith 7-86, 1 TD (2006)
Passing: Brian Brohm 16-29-307, 1 TD?(2006)
Receiving: Mario Urrutia 5-110, 1 TD?(2006)
Year Site Results TU Coach Louisville Coach
1980 Fairgrounds W, 17-12 Wayne Hardin Bob Weber
1982 Cardinal Stadium W, 55-44 Wayne Hardin Bob Weber
1983 Veterans Stadium W, 24-7 Bruce Arians Bob Weber
2003 Papa John's Cardinal L, 12-21 Bobby Wallace Bobby Petrino
2006 Lincoln Financial Field L, 0-62 Al Golden Bobby Petrino
WELCOME BACK TO THE BIG EAST
The 2012 season ushers in a new era for TU football. The Owls return to the BIG EAST Conference after a seven-year absence.
After playing the last five seasons in the Mid-American Conference, Temple re-joins the BIG EAST Conference in 2012. The Owls previously played in the BIG EAST [1991-2004] for football only.
All other sports, including Temple's men's and women's basketball programs, will leave the Atlantic 10 Conference and begin play in the BIG EAST starting in 2013-14. This will be the first time in Temple's history in which its intercollegiate athletic programs will compete in one conference.
BIG EAST CONFERENCE NOTES / HISTORY
• Temple has played in three conferences during its football history:
1960-1969— Middle Atlantic Conference [10 seasons]
1967 MAC champions
1991-2004— BIG EAST Conference [12 seasons]
2007-11— Mid-American Conference [5 seasons]
2009 MAC co-EAST Division champions
• Three head coaches guided the Owls during their first BIG EAST tenure:
1991-1992— Jerry Berndt
1993-1997— Ron Dickerson
1997-2004— Bobby Wallace
• Temple's first BIG EAST tenure was rough as the Owls won just 14 conference games in 12 seasons.
• Over the last three seasons (2009-10-11), Temple set the school record with most wins in three consecutive seasons (26), won nine games twice, and won its second bowl win in school history and first since 1979 (32 years).
• “We've come off three winning seasons, two bowl games, and a recent bowl victory - the first in [32] years at Temple. It's a new Temple. It doesn't resemble anything where it was six or seven years ago.”
“I don't know where we'll be in this pecking order at the end of the season. I have no idea. I do know this-- we will show up. We'll play really, really hard and we'll represent the game the way it is supposed to be represented. That's what I will promise you.”
— Steve Addazio at BIG EAST Media Day, 7/31/12
• Over current BIG EAST competitors, Temple owns series' advantages over:
Cincinnati 9-4
Connecticut 8-4
Louisville 3-2
• Temple met South Florida for the first time in 2012 and holds a 1-0 series edge.
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• In 2011, Temple was bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons and just the sixth time in school history. TU also earned bowl eligibility during the 1934 (1935 Sugar Bowl), 1979 (Garden State Bowl), 1990 (7-4 record, no bowl bid), 2009 (EagleBank Bowl), 2010 (8-4 record, no bowl bid), and 2011 (Gildan New Mexico Bowl) seasons.
• Five of Temple's 2012 opponents— Penn State (TicketCity), Rutgers (New Era Pinstripe), Pittsburgh (BBVA Compass), Louisville (Belk), and Cincinnati (AutoZone Liberty)— participated in bowls in 2011.
• “We did not play very well today and that was highlighted by not playing well at all during the first half. The biggest positive of the day was that we challenged our team to come out and play. We gave up some obviously tremendously big plays, fast hitting big plays. Certainly, we started that game out as poor as you would want too. The biggest positive of the day was at half time we challenged our team to come out and play. In all the huddles the guys were bright-eyed and competing.”
— Steve Addazio following the Pitt game, 10/27/12
UP NEXT
Temple hosts Cincinnati on Nov. 10 at Lincoln Financial Field. Television has opted for a six-day window. Kickoff time and network will be announced by Nov. 4.
THIS WEEK
Temple travels to No. 16/14 Louisville for the teams' first-ever BIG EAST match-up on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for Noon at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.
ABC will broadcast the game live regionally. The game will be shown locally on WPVI (6ABC).
The Owls' radio broadcast will air on 1210 AM WPHT with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of second-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple stands 3-4 overall and 2-2 in BIG EAST play after a 47-17 loss at Pittsburgh. The 2012 Temple squad returns 35 lettermen, including nine starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Senior RB Montel Harris (Jacksonville, Fla.) is the Owls' top rusher with 463 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries. Sophomore Jalen Fitzpatrick (Harrisburg, Pa.) is the top receiver with 22 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Junior QB Chris Coyer (Oak Hill, Va.) is 77-of-140 for 870 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 354 yards and two TDs. True freshman LB Tyler Matakevich (Stratford, Conn.) is the top defender with 56 tackles, including 36 solo takedowns, and two break-ups.
In this week's national rankings, Temple is ranked among the nation's best in several categories— No. 23 net punting (39.85) and No. 26 sacks (2.57). Individually, senior RB Matt Brown is No. 11 in punt returns (15.20) and No. 29 in all-purpose running (132.71), while senior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) is No. 13 in punting (44.67) and No. 26 in field goals (1.43).
Under the tutelege of third-year coach Charlie Strong, nationally ranked Louisville is 8-0 overall and 3-0 in BIG EAST play after a 34-31 overtime win over Cincinnati. The Cardinals return 18 starters to their multiple offense and 3-4 defense.
Among the Top 25, Louisville is ranked No. 13 in passing efficiency (160.04). Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater is No. 12 in passing efficiency (163.38).
Junior RB Senorise Perry is Louisville's top back with 624 yards and 11 touchdowns on 120 carries. Junior WR Damian Copeland has 28 receptions for 358 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater, this week's BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, is 162-of-229 for 2,110 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sophomore S Calvin Pryor leads all defenders with 61 tackles, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
ANOTHER NATIONALLY RANKED?OPPONENT— UPSET HISTORY
For the second time this season, Temple faces an undefeated opponent ranked among the nation's Top 25. Two weeks ago, the Owls hosted No. 19/17 Rutgers at Lincoln Financial Field. After roaring to a 10-0 start, TU gave up 35 second-half points in the defeat.
Louisville is the first ranked team the Owls will face on the road this season and the first Top 10 team Temple has played since the 2009 season [No. 5 Penn State].
TU has two upsets of ranked teams in its history. Since 1974, Temple has faced 76 nationally ranked teams, including 30 teams ranked in the Top 10.
TU's two upsets came on the road— a 28-24 win at No. 14 Virginia Tech on Oct. 17, 1998, under coach Bobby Wallace and a 24-21 win at No. 16 Pittsburgh on Sept. 19, 1987, under coach Bruce Arians.
While the Owls have never beaten a Top 10 opponent, they have faced the nation's No. 1 ranked team five times. [see p. 23 of gamenotes for history]
TEMPLE-LOUISVILLE CONNECTIONS
Head coaches Steve Addazio (offensive) and Charlie Strong (defensive) worked as coordinators at Florida under Urban Meyer, helping the Gators to National Championships in 2007 and 2009. TU defensive coordinator Chuck Heater worked with the duo at Florida, too, as the assistant defensive coordinator/safeties/recruiting coordinator.
Temple defensive line coach Sean Cronin was a graduate assistant coach at Florida from 2006-08, while offensive line coach Justin Frye was a G.A. from 2009-10 under Addazio. Louisville defensive backs coach Tommy Restivo was the defensive graduate assistant at Florida under Strong.
Senior DB?Vaughn Carraway's cousin James Bryant played linebacker at Louisville [2007-08].
Temple has no players on its roster from Kentucky.
Louisville has no players on its roster from Pennsylvania. Sophomore WR Kai Dominquez (Montvale, N.J. / St. Joseph's Regional) is the only Cardinal player from the tri-state area.
TEMPLE-LOUISVILLE— THE SERIES
Saturday's game will mark the sixth meeting between the Owls and Cardinals (and first in BIG EAST play) in a series that began in 1980. Temple holds a 3-2 series advantage.
In the teams' last meeting in 2006, Louisville handed Temple a 62-0 shutout on first-year head coach Al Golden's home debut at Lincoln Financial Field. The Cardinals, who racked up 671 yards of total offense, held the Owls to just 16 yards rushing.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Louisville: 3-2
Temple in games at Temple: 2-1
Temple in games at Louisville: 1-1
First meeting in series: 1980 at the Fairgrounds; W, 17-12
Last meeting in series: 2006 at Lincoln Financial Field; L, 62-0
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Harold Harmon 13-116 (1982)
Passing: Mike McGann 24-45-304, 1 TD?(2003)
Receiving: Ikey Chuku 7-103 (2003)
Louisville Cardinals
Rushing: Kolby Smith 7-86, 1 TD (2006)
Passing: Brian Brohm 16-29-307, 1 TD?(2006)
Receiving: Mario Urrutia 5-110, 1 TD?(2006)
Year Site Results TU Coach Louisville Coach
1980 Fairgrounds W, 17-12 Wayne Hardin Bob Weber
1982 Cardinal Stadium W, 55-44 Wayne Hardin Bob Weber
1983 Veterans Stadium W, 24-7 Bruce Arians Bob Weber
2003 Papa John's Cardinal L, 12-21 Bobby Wallace Bobby Petrino
2006 Lincoln Financial Field L, 0-62 Al Golden Bobby Petrino
WELCOME BACK TO THE BIG EAST
The 2012 season ushers in a new era for TU football. The Owls return to the BIG EAST Conference after a seven-year absence.
After playing the last five seasons in the Mid-American Conference, Temple re-joins the BIG EAST Conference in 2012. The Owls previously played in the BIG EAST [1991-2004] for football only.
All other sports, including Temple's men's and women's basketball programs, will leave the Atlantic 10 Conference and begin play in the BIG EAST starting in 2013-14. This will be the first time in Temple's history in which its intercollegiate athletic programs will compete in one conference.
BIG EAST CONFERENCE NOTES / HISTORY
• Temple has played in three conferences during its football history:
1960-1969— Middle Atlantic Conference [10 seasons]
1967 MAC champions
1991-2004— BIG EAST Conference [12 seasons]
2007-11— Mid-American Conference [5 seasons]
2009 MAC co-EAST Division champions
• Three head coaches guided the Owls during their first BIG EAST tenure:
1991-1992— Jerry Berndt
1993-1997— Ron Dickerson
1997-2004— Bobby Wallace
• Temple's first BIG EAST tenure was rough as the Owls won just 14 conference games in 12 seasons.
• Over the last three seasons (2009-10-11), Temple set the school record with most wins in three consecutive seasons (26), won nine games twice, and won its second bowl win in school history and first since 1979 (32 years).
• “We've come off three winning seasons, two bowl games, and a recent bowl victory - the first in [32] years at Temple. It's a new Temple. It doesn't resemble anything where it was six or seven years ago.”
“I don't know where we'll be in this pecking order at the end of the season. I have no idea. I do know this-- we will show up. We'll play really, really hard and we'll represent the game the way it is supposed to be represented. That's what I will promise you.”
— Steve Addazio at BIG EAST Media Day, 7/31/12
• Over current BIG EAST competitors, Temple owns series' advantages over:
Cincinnati 9-4
Connecticut 8-4
Louisville 3-2
• Temple met South Florida for the first time in 2012 and holds a 1-0 series edge.
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• In 2011, Temple was bowl eligible for the second time in three seasons and just the sixth time in school history. TU also earned bowl eligibility during the 1934 (1935 Sugar Bowl), 1979 (Garden State Bowl), 1990 (7-4 record, no bowl bid), 2009 (EagleBank Bowl), 2010 (8-4 record, no bowl bid), and 2011 (Gildan New Mexico Bowl) seasons.
• Five of Temple's 2012 opponents— Penn State (TicketCity), Rutgers (New Era Pinstripe), Pittsburgh (BBVA Compass), Louisville (Belk), and Cincinnati (AutoZone Liberty)— participated in bowls in 2011.
• “We did not play very well today and that was highlighted by not playing well at all during the first half. The biggest positive of the day was that we challenged our team to come out and play. We gave up some obviously tremendously big plays, fast hitting big plays. Certainly, we started that game out as poor as you would want too. The biggest positive of the day was at half time we challenged our team to come out and play. In all the huddles the guys were bright-eyed and competing.”
— Steve Addazio following the Pitt game, 10/27/12
UP NEXT
Temple hosts Cincinnati on Nov. 10 at Lincoln Financial Field. Television has opted for a six-day window. Kickoff time and network will be announced by Nov. 4.
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