Oregon St./Temple

Oregon St. –10

Oregon St. (1-0) is looking to get back to its 1999 and 2000 form after a disappointing 5-6 record last year. Last week, the Beavers dominated a highly rated 1-AA team in Eastern Kentucky. They amassed 600 yards in total offense, led by new starting QB Derek Anderson, who threw for 345 yards and 3 TD’s. TB Steven Jackson, who is replacing the departed Ken Simonton, rushed for 141 yards and 2 TD’s. These two positions were the most important that needed to be replaced and based on the first game, so far so good. The defense, ranked 30th in the nation in 2001 at 330.8 ypg, brings back 8 starters and did a good job, holding the Colonels to 202 yards of total offense and grabbing 4 interceptions. Then only low points were 3 lost fumbles by the Beavers and 14 penalties.

Temple defeated 1-AA Richmond 34-7, gaining 379 yards of total offense. The offense returns 10 starters from last year; an offense that ranked 112th in 2001 with 284.6 ypg. Sophomore QB Mike McGann was rather unimpressive, throwing for 213 yards with 2 TD’s and 3 INT’s. The Spiders actually led the game late in the 2nd quarter 7-6 until Temple scored the go ahead TD with 1:44 left in the first half. The Owl defense ultimately accounted for 21 of the team’s 34 points. Second team Big East receiver Sean Dillard, who caught 5 passes for 48 yards, is expected to miss with a knee injury. Temple now runs a no huddle spread offense. The Beavers worked against it in practice last week defensively, picking up the pace. They tend to not substitute as freely as other teams and don’t go with a lot of nickel coverage. They are comfortable with their linebackers being capable of what they have to do so the substitutions aren’t necessary when the offense brings different people in.

The Owls will find the going much more difficult against a tougher defense in Oregon St. They do return 10 starters on offense but the offense did not produce much a year ago and didn’t show a whole lot last week either against a much weaker opponent. Temple needs to replace some key players on defense. Although the Owls finished last year with 4 wins, their beaten opponents combined record was 7-36 and each of their 7 losses were all decided by at least 19 points (30 avg). There has been a lot of talk that this Temple team is improving and moving in the right direction. Don’t buy it here as they didn’t do anything to improve on last year’s mark and the 4 wins from a year ago provide no backing. Big coaching advantage for the Beavers with Dennis Erickson vs. Bobby Wallace.

GLTA!!