Temple’s offensive coordinator compares USF’s offense to Golden State Warriors

WRITTEN BY: TOM HANSLIN  @tomhanslin

PHILADELPHIA – When Temple Football takes the field against No. 21 South Florida in Tampa, Fla. on Thursday night, the consensus is that the Owls (2-1) will have no choice but to keep pace with the Bulls’ (3-0) formidable offense.

To be blunt, it will be quite a tall order. USF has scored 30 or more points in 20 consecutive games – the longest active streak in Division I football. In three games this season, the Bulls have averaged 522 total yards of offense, and their 102 plays-per-game ranks first in the nation.

They can score, they can run, and they can certainly knock opponents out. Much like the NBA’s defending champions, according to Temple offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude.

“They want to be the Golden State Warriors,” Patenaude said of USF following Tuesday’s practice at Edberg-Olson Hall. “They want to get the ball off the rim. They want to run it down the court. They want to jack up a shot, play fast, play that kind of frenzy-type of offense.

“You’ll have to be able to control the ball, you can’t turn the ball over. You can’t give them short fields. You’ll have to be able to run the ball. You can’t just take a no-huddle team and make them a huddle, stand-on-the-line team. You’ve got to be able to mix your personnel in there, and you’ve got to be able to mix your groupings and your tempo. But you’ll have to able to run the ball and you’ve got to be able to control it with the short pass.”

FLOWER POWER

Temple’s newest coaches may not be too familiar with USF’s senior quarterback Quinton Flowers, but several Owls players are. Last October, Flowers threw for two touchdowns and rushed for one against Temple (46-30 loss) at Lincoln Financial Field, and the year before that, he did the exact same thing (44-23 win) at Raymond James Stadium.

Flowers is another dual-threat weapon, and his agility and experience presents several challenges for the Owls.

“He’s a good player,” Temple head coach Geoff Collins said of Flowers. “The thing that’s impressive is his poise, how he spreads the ball. The situation never gets too big for him, and he’s a competitor. He’s got playmakers all over the field and he can make plays with his arm and he can make plays with his legs. And you can tell he’s got some leadership ability.”

CAN TEMPLE’S OFFENSE MATCH?

That was a question posed to Owls’ quarterback Logan Marchi, who’s expected to start his fourth straight game on Thursday.

“Converting on third down and scoring in the red zone are our two biggest keys right now. Staying on the field to help our defense get some rest,” said Marchi, who has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions this year. “My job is to go out and make sure I’m prepared for my team. It’s a short week, but same for USF – they played on Friday night.”

At the start of the second quarter against UMass, freshman quarterback Todd Centeio made his collegiate debut and saw seven snaps. Collins hinted that Centeio’s role will increase in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, any game plan for him is being kept a secret.

Temple’s running game will also need to step up. Despite Ryquell Armstead’s 56-yard rush on the second play from scrimmage Friday, the Owls’ lead halfback finished with just 91 yards on 17 carries. USF’s defense has allowed 31 points and 323 yards per game, but they’re no slouch up front, as its 89 rushing yards allowed on average is ranked best in the American Athletic Conference.

SECONDARY ISSUES A PRIMARY CONCERN

Although Temple’s defensive front has been stifling of late (nine sacks, 81 rushing yards allowed vs. UMass), Collins has emphasized his secondary’s need to force turnovers. Through the Owls’ first three games in 2016, its defense had forced four interceptions and three fumbles. So far this season, they’ve forced just one interception and two fumbles.

“We’ve just got to come out and play our game,” Owls’ defensive back Delvon Randall said. “To keep the game in our possession, we’ve got to get three-and-outs to get our offense back on the field. We’ve just got to keep improving every week. We have to keep coming in, watching film, cleaning up our little mistakes so we can be a great team.”

Thus far, the Owls have allowed 314 yards per game, which ranks eighth in the AAC.

USF WANTS THE AAC CROWN

Both teams are separated by roughly 1,100 miles on the Atlantic Coast, but Temple and USF has become one of the better matchups in the conference’s East Division. While the Owls are defending conference champions (and back-to-back East Division champions), the Bulls were the conference’s preseason favorite, and it seems the road to the championship goes through Tampa – even in Week 4.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a rivalry, but I would say they’re definitely a great team,” Temple defensive end Sharif Finch said. “Of course, you’ve got to get through USF to get to the championship in this conference. Everybody knows that, especially on the eastern side.

“When you play USF, it’s like championship week. We prepare for every game, but of course, the first conference game against a nationally-ranked team is going to be challenge, for sure. They know we come ready to play just like we know they come ready to play. We won the championship last year, and I know they’re not happy about that.”

THE NEXT CHOSEN “1”

Temple senior wide receiver Adonis Jennings will wear jersey No. 1 this week, according to Collins. Last week, the number belonged to redshirt senior defensive lineman Jullian Taylor.

“It means a lot. I’m respected in this program,” Jennings said. “I’m just glad I’ve earned the respect of my teammates and coaches.”

OTHER NOTES

-Temple’s starting left guard Jovahn Fair, who was seen on crutches during the second half of Friday night’s game, is listed as questionable this week. His injury is undisclosed, and Adrian Sullivan could take over in Fair’s role on Thursday. Sullivan started all 14 games for the Owls last season.

-Flowers has completed 45-of-81 passes this season for 678 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 243 yards on 61 carries for two scores.

-USF’s leading rusher is senior halfback Darius Tice. On 48 carries, he’s rushed for 256 yards and four touchdowns.

-Six Bulls’ wide receivers have scored this season. Senior Marquez Valdez-Scantling (14 REC, 202 YDS) and junior Tyre McCants (5 REC, 131 YDS) have two touchdowns apiece.

If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at thanslin@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.