Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Buffalo
Football Looks To Bounce Back As Buffalo Comes To Town
9.3.18 | Football
THIS WEEK
Following a close loss to Philadelphia foe Villanova 19-17, the Owls will be hosting the Buffalo Bulls at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Sept. 8 at 3:30 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN3, 97.5 The Fanatic and WHIP Radio. Temple and Buffalo first played in 1957 but haven't played against one another since 2011. Temple has outscored Buffalo by 100 points over the last three meetings, including back-to-back shutouts. The Owls will look to continue that trend heading into the second week of the 2018 campaign.
Temple's starting quarterback, Frank Nutile, looks to right the ship for the Owls after throwing 18-32 for 185-yards a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. The Owls, however, did see a spark in the receiving core as redshirt-sophomore Branden Mack led the team with seven catches for 78-yards and Isaiah Wright caught Nutile's touchdown pass. WR Ventell Bryant caught 5 balls for 56 yards, his longest was a 20-yard reception. RB Ryquell Armstead will look to get rolling in week two after a 14-carry 31-yard performance in the opening week.
A bright spot for the Owls last week were the special teams. DE Quincy Roche had two blocked kicks and the first was returned 74-yards by CB Kimere Brown for a touchdown to keep Temple within one score of the Wildcats.
Defensively, the Owls will look to limit the high-powered Buffalo offense that put up 48 points against Delaware State last week. LB Sam Franklin grabbed his first career interception against Villanova. The secondary will aim to shutdown Bulls' QB Tyree Jackson who threw for six touchdowns in the opening week.
LAST TIME v. BUFFALO
The last time the two teams faced off was on October 15, 2011. The Owls pounded Buffalo by a score of 34-0, making that Temple's second consecutive shutout against their Mid-American Conference rival. In 2010, Temple also shutout Buffalo 42-0, making the combined score of the games, 76-0 in favor of the Owls. Former Temple running back, Bernard Pierce led the Owls' rushing offense with 152 yards on 23 carries, and two touchdowns. The Owls kept the ball on the ground for the majority of the game due to 35 mile per hour winds making it hard to get an aerial attack going. Temple's ground game tactic worked as they ran for 400+ yards and controlled the ball for 39 of the 60 minutes in the game. The defense held the Bulls scoreless and to only 155 total yards.
UP NEXT
After hosting Buffalo, the Owls will be on the road for the first time in 2018 as they head down to Maryland to take on the Terrapins. The Owls will then have their first conference game of the season the following week when Tulsa comes to town for a Thursday night primetime showdown.
