After the smoke cleared following the back and forth battle between the No. 12 UCF Golden Knights (8-0, 5-0) and the Temple Owls (5-4, 4-1), the final score was 52-40 with the Golden Knights remaining perfect over their last 21 games. The Owls program-record 670 yards of offense in the game was more than UCF accrued (630) but it wasn’t enough to keep Temple’s conference record unblemished.
QB Anthony Russo had one of, if not the, best game of his life throwing for 444 yards (one shy of a school record), and four TD’s. He also ran in a touchdown on a fake field goal from five yards out. He connected with 11 different receivers in the game for the second time this season.
WR Ventell Bryant continued his hot streak catching seven passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He is just 15 yards away from becoming the all-time leading receiver in Temple Football history. Trailing only Willie Marshall with 2,272 career yards.
RB Ryquell Armstead had his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season rushing 27 times for 142 yards but was pulled from the game when he tweaked his existing ankle injury. Also, in the game, C Matt Hennessy was injured causing some shake-up on the offensive line. Coach Collins declined to comment on the status of his injured players.
Defensively, the Owls were able to contain McKenzie Milton to a season low 17 completions but it wasn’t enough to stop their high-powered offensive attack.
After the loss, Temple is preparing for their next conference foe, Houston (7-2, 4-1). Houston is coming off a high-scoring loss to SMU last week. The last time these two teams matched up was at the Linc last season and Temple fell 20-13. The last time the two teams met in Houston was for the AAC Championship in 2015, the conference’s first championship. The Owls fell short in that contest as well losing 24-13.
Temple’s defense will again be tested as Houston has scored at least 41 points in each of its first eight games so far this season. LB Shaun Bradley promises a better game this week.
“Russo and the offense balled out. The defense didn’t do its job but the offense looked really good. If they can do the same thing this week, the defense will back them up way better than we did last week, I promise,” said Bradley.
The game is set to kickoff from TDECU Stadium this Saturday Nov. 10th at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and you can listen in on 1210 WPHT Radio.
Make sure to follow the SportsDesk on Twitter @TU_SportsDesk for coverage leading up to gameday.
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