The Owls are Spooked, Losing Three Straight Conference Matchups
Written By: Ajay Patel
Photo Courtesy of: @Temple_FB
The Owls returned home for the first time since Oct. 2nd and were not treated with open arms, as UCF defeated Temple 49-7.
Temple’s lackluster performance continues in another week of play despite showing glimpses of promise.
“We came in there hopeful,” said redshirt junior cornerback Cameron Ruiz. ”We know we shot ourselves in the foot a little bit but we are still confident in ourselves, it’s a long season.”
Golden Knight true freshman quarterback Mikey Keene threw a deep ball down the field that was intercepted by redshirt junior safety Jalen Ware. Later on in the same play, Ware fumbled, and gave the ball right back to UCF, setting up the Knights right outside the red zone.
Only down 14-0 at the time, the Owls missed one of several opportunities to generate some momentum and get back in the ball game.
“If we execute, we will never be in those situations,” said redshirt freshman quarterback D’Wan Mathis. “If you go out there and you don’t execute each and every play, how do you expect to stay on the field?”
This was the trend all afternoon. As Temple started to gain traction in offensive production, redshirt sophomore tight end Jordan Smith fumbled at UCF’s 12-yard line after attempting to pick up yards after the catch.
Two timely turnovers would have been detrimental enough, but the Owls managed to give up possession an additional two times.
Mistakes have not been corrected all season for the Owls. In addition to turnover issues that have prolonged over the past few weeks, Temple makes the same mistakes from a discipline standpoint as well.
Forfeiting 63 free yards to the Golden Knights, who were quick to take advantage of the opportunities.
“It always seems like they pop up when we least need it,” Mathis said. “You can’t expect to move the ball when it’s third and 13.”
Starting off with more of a conservative approach, running traditional running schemes, UCF head coach Gus Malzahn opened the playbook more and more as the game went on. Showing as much trust in Keene as he would in injured quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The three-year starter went down in the week three matchup against Lousiville with a clavicle injury.
Keene threw for a career-high five TDs. An eye-catching feat that Gabriel accomplished twice last season.
“We knew they are a gadget team, we saw that when he [Malzahn] was at Auburn,” said Ruiz. “You have to have good eyes, some plays we didn’t, and that was an adjustment.”
A hot start for UCF is something the Owls have not been able to say all season, as they continue to struggle in the first quarter.
Temple has only scored one touchdown in the first quarter all season, being outscored by their opponents 67-7.
Lack of receptions by redshirt junior wide receiver Jadan Blue contributes to this issue. The former number 23 ranked player in the AAC, according to College Football News, has been quiet for the entirety of the season. Only racking up 151 pass yards so far this year, the veteran plays a key leadership role within that offensive group. If the past is any indication, anytime that Blue is producing well, the team is playing well.
The Owls look to erase a three-game losing streak when they make the trip down to East Carolina this upcoming weekend. The game will be streamed at 3 o‘clock on ESPN +.
