Temple-USF Recap: The game wasn’t even close

Make it a 2-2 series between the two teams. USF dominated, specifically the defense, the entire game. The final score is not indicative of how poorly Temple played on offense. Fans might also have been surprised to see how improved the USF defense has become. The good news for Temple is their defense contained an offense that probably should’ve hung 60 points on them. Here is the game half by half:

1st half:

The first quarter started with poor quarterback play. We didn’t expect it to become a theme for the night, as both starters are talented. But sadly, the first quarter set the theme for unimpressive QB. It started off with both teams getting a possession each and punting the ball away. Just one play after the Bulls punted, Logan Marchi throws his first interception of the year giving the Bulls great field position. USF failed to make Temple pay too much, and only kicked a FG. 3-0 Bulls.

Temple then squandered a great opportunity after Craig Watts fumbled a punt that Temple recovered. The Bulls defense was stout again bringing the FG unit out. Instead of taking the three points, Temple tried a fake FG pass attempt that resulted in Marchi getting sacked for 19 yards (near mid-field). The Bulls didn’t score on the drive, but pinned Temple deep enough to make it tough to get a drive started. Temple then punted and gave the football back to USF ending the first quarter.

The second quarter started off with a bang. USF running back, Darius Tice, took the first play of the second quarter 47 YDS for a TD. Temple responded with a negative YD drive and a punt. After a USF punt, Deatrick Nichols intercepted his second Marchi pass of the night. But give Temple credit, they stopped a USF offense that went for it on 4th down in a goal to go position. The next scoring play was again by USF after Temple punted for a whopping 19 YDS, giving USF great field position. It only took two plays for Quinton Flowers to break out 22 yards for the TD, giving the Bulls a 17-0 lead.

Enter new Temple QB Frank Nutile. Geoff Collins wanted to see if he could get some better offensive production from a different QB. Nutile’s first pass was completed to Adonis Jennings, but Jennings fumbled. USF recovered, and proceeded to get a FG to make it 20-0. The only highlight for Temple in the half was with about two minutes left in the half. Quinton Flowers was strip sacked by Jacob Martin for the scoop and score. The first half ended 20-7, but it was dominated by USF.

Second Half:

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The second half was plagued by Temple turnovers. The first half started with a USF punt, and gave Temple a chance to get back in the game. Yet again, Temple gave the ball right back to USF as the pass was intercepted by Devin Abraham. USF proceeded to score making it a 27-7 game. Temple got the ball back, and decided to hand it off this time. Another turnover game, this time it was a Matt Hennessy fumble recovered by USF. USF converted the turnover into three points making it a 30-7 game. USF would proceed to get three more points off a Temple interception again.

The 4th quarter was all about USF again. The next scoring play was early in the 4th when Nadelman drilled a 44 yard field goal. Temple couldn’t muster anything on offense and continued to punt the ball all night long. USF would add one more score on a Quinton Flowers QB sneak for a TD, to end the fireworks 43-7.

Game Notes:

• Temple had -22 yards rushing at the end of the first half.
• Temple used three different QBs in the game, none of them were good.
• The Temple QBs threw four picks and no TDs
• Jacob Martin accounted for the only Temple score of the game
• Quinton Flowers had a subpar night passing going 8-20 and 96 yards
• The Bulls now lead the nation in turnovers (this defense is playing to an elite level).
• It was the Bulls that dominated the running game, totaling 312 yards.