The Temple Owls are out for their first win of the 2013 season and the first win of head coach Matt Rhule's career when they host the Fordham Rams:
Temple (0-2, 0-1 American) vs. Fordham (2-0, 0-0 Patriot)
Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, 1 p.m., ESPN 3
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Temple (-21)
Scouting Temple
Temple showed signs of encouragement in a solid showing against No. 14 Notre Dame in Week 1, but appeared to take a step back in last week's loss to Houston.
Connor Reilly and the offense turned the ball over three times and the team was hit with nine penalty flags.
The kicking game also remained an issue, as true freshman Jim Cooper was pulled in favor of punter Paul Layton. Temple kickers have missed five of six field goal and extra point attempts this season.
On defense, the Owls gave up 524 total yards, but managed to hold Houston to just 22 points. The Cougars found their way to the red zone eight times and came away only one touchdown. In that sense, although the defense bent and didn't break, Temple is likely fortunate last week's result was not worse.
In all, while he still likes the direction his team is headed, Rhule characterized the performance as "sloppy."
Scouting Fordham
The Rams are coming off the biggest win in their program's recent history, a 27-24 upset over FCS No. 8 Villanova. The week prior, they hammered Rhode Island, 51-26.
Fordham is led on offense by quarterback Michael Nebrich, who was actually recruited by Temple before he committed to UConn and ultimately transferred. Nebrich has completed 43 of 60 passes for 457 yards, four touchdowns and an interception this season.
He is joined on offense by three preseason All-Patriot League selections in running back Carlton Koonce, wide receiver Brian Wetzel and tight end Dan Light. Rhule offered special praise for Light earlier this week, saying he "could play for any of the teams we've played so far." Wide receivers Tebucky Jones and Sam Ajala lead all pass catchers with 12 catches and 180 yards, respectively.
The Rams' defense forced five fumbles out of Villanova last week and has seven total takeaways through two games.
Fordham is not ranked, but is receiving votes is both FCS Top-25 polls, coming in 30th in the Sports Network poll and 28th in the coaches' poll.
History
Temple and Fordham played four times from 1950-1953. Fordham won all four games by a combined 122-33.
For reference, the last time these two teams played, Dwight Eisenhower was in office and Walt Disney's animated Peter Pan was the No. 1 movie at box office. Marilyn Monroe was in three of the top-10 films. Vincent Price's House of Wax came in at No. 4.
Also of note, Vince Lombardi played his college football at Fordham and was one of the Seven Blocks of Granite, a name given to select members of the Rams' offensive line in the 1930s. Lombardi played right guard, and stood 5-foot-8.
Storyline to watch
Who starts at quarterback and kicker for Temple.
Reilly, who started the first two games, injured his knee vs. Houston and has been out of practice for most of the week. Although Reilly hasn't been ruled out, senior backup Clinton Granger is likely to start.
At kicker, Cooper and Nick Visco spent the week battling it out. It wouldn't be surprising to see Visco get a shot.
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Temple eyes first win; Granger expected to start