PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Temple shares a stadium with the Philadelphia Eagles, so it appeared applicable — with the Owls driving towards an opportunity at their second win of the season – that it swiped a play straight from the NFC champions’ playbook.
Line up in a rush, and push the QB into the tip zone.
“I’d be a idiot to not no less than give it a shot,” Temple coach Stan Drayton mentioned.
So on second-and-goal in opposition to Norfolk State, the Owls — in the identical vein as Jalen Hurts and the Eagles — had offensive gamers give backup quarterback Quincy Patterson a useful heave that despatched him in for a landing.
Drayton laughed when he mentioned of the play that he “ stole it ” from the Eagles.
The Owls would possibly must convert them a handful of occasions if they will steal a win from No. 20 Miami.
Whereas the play really broke although the spotlight reel on a crowded sports activities week in Philadelphia, the Owls (2-1) are possible much less involved about pulling off one other “ tush push ” than they’re about merely avoiding one other a rear kicking from the Hurricanes (3-0).
The previous Large East groups — rivals would put it a lot too kindly — are to set to play Saturday at Lincoln Monetary Discipline for the primary time since 2005. Miami received that one. Oh, and the 12 earlier than that. The truth is, the closest rating over that 13-game successful streak was Miami’s 44-21 win in 2002. Temple has to stretch again to 1930 for its solely win within the sequence.
Led by quarterback E.J Warner, son of Corridor of Fame QB Kurt Warner, Temple says it’s up for the problem, which it will likely be. The Hurricanes are a 23½-point favourite on this one, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
“They’ve a component of velocity that we now have not seen,” Drayton mentioned.
And offensive firepower to match.
The Hurricanes have already seen 10 completely different offensive gamers (six runners, 4 receivers) discover the tip zone, and quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is finishing 76% of his passes. Van Dyke is on his third completely different offensive coordinator within the final three seasons, however Shannon Dawson’s first three video games within the position with the Hurricanes have made it appear to be he’s been there for years.
“I like the best way we’re evolving,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal mentioned. “You see our offense, and we’ve been a bit bit completely different every week. The extra that we are able to present the power to run the ball inside and outdoors, to push the ball down the sphere but in addition stretch you horizontally, I imply, that’s arduous to defend. And the best way the quarterback is taking part in, Tyler is taking part in at such a excessive stage that it makes it troublesome, proper? He is aware of the place to go along with the ball.”
Van Dyke was slowed by accidents final season, plus had a revolving door of gamers on the offensive line tasked with defending him. There’s been continuity inside that unit thus far this season, and he’s reaping the advantages.
“I really feel like I’m one of the best I’ve ever been accuracy-wise and seeing the sphere,” Van Dyke mentioned. “I’m giving credit score to the offensive line. I’m sitting again there all day, having all this time that permits me to be exact and correct, after which the receivers are making good catches.”
Now, Miami will get to see if it may proceed placing up factors in what is going to possible be a hostile surroundings. The Hurricanes have a large alumni base within the Philadelphia space, however Owls followers will certainly bear in mind how Manny Diaz — who had been Miami’s defensive coordinator beneath Mark Richt — accepted a proposal to be head coach at Temple, then left the Owls only a few days later to take over at Miami when Richt unexpectedly stepped down.
Diaz is now the defensive coordinator at Penn State, after Miami fired him and changed him with Cristobal late in 2021.
“Taking this factor on the highway, our processes actually don’t change, albeit a two-and-a-half-hour aircraft experience,” Cristobal mentioned. “We’re taking part in a extremely good workforce and it provides us an opportunity to go and see the place we’re at by getting on the highway.”
ONLY STOP
Miami doesn’t play ACC rival Pitt this season, so this sport would be the solely time the Hurricanes go to Pennsylvania in 2023. Pitt goes to Miami subsequent season, and Miami isn’t scheduled to play at Pitt once more till 2026.
HELLO, AGAIN
Temple kicker Camden Worth spent 4 seasons with the Hurricanes. He was 6-for-7 on area targets and made all 18 of his extra-point tries for Miami in 2019, then performed sparingly in 2020 and 2021. He’s in his second season with the Owls, and technically his sixth season of faculty soccer. Temple defensive lineman Allan Haye is also a Miami switch; he performed in two video games with the Hurricanes, one in 2021 and one in 2022.
NO HOMECOMING
Miami has no gamers on its roster from Pennsylvania. Temple has 14 gamers from the state of Florida.
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AP Sports activities Author Tim Reynolds in Miami contributed to this story.
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AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll