The Temple Owls play host to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in an interesting non-conference showdown between regional foes from Lincoln Financial Field. With both teams battling for similar recruits and looking to find increased success on the field, Saturday is a crucial game, even without the national notoriety. These two met last season, with Rutgers dominating at home, en route to a 61-14 win. With an undefeated start, this season already as well for the Scarlet Knights. it could be a challenge for the Owls to avenge last season's loss.
Rutgers may have dropped their bowl game in December but after a 2-0 start to the season, it's clear that the Scarlet Knights are improved and off to a strong start. A win on the road against Boston College turned some heads in the opener and even though Wagner is an FCS foe, the Scarlet Knights were still able to take them down with ease, 66-7 last week. Adding in a rout of the Owls in last year's matchup, this Rutgers group has momentum building in the right direction towards grabbing another big win on Saturday. With regional bragging rights on the line as well, the Scarlet Knights will be ready to make it back-to-back seasons with a win in this matchup.
Rutgers are aiming to navigate a few injuries though, which could even the playing field on the weekend. On the defensive end of things, Mohamed Toure (knee) and Moses Walker (knee) are out for the season. On the offensive front, Noah Vendral is questionabl e, though given his loss on the quarterback position, his status might not be as impactful.
6 Scarlet Knights scored their first career rushing, receiving or passing touchdown on Saturday ??
Rushing:@SjbV5 | @RU_TRAIN8
Receiving:@johnnylangan2 | @Wakeemupchris
Passing:@evan6simon | @GavinWimsatt pic.twitter.com/M7uMMJRLIa
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) September 12, 2022
On the offensive front, Rutgers has gone great lengths to take care of the ball this season and having yet to turn it over this season, will continue to give them confidence. In a game like this one, controlling the clock will be key and with Rutgers having the nation's seventh-best attack when it comes to rushing yards per game. Al-Shadee Salaam is averaging 9.4 yards per carry on the season, while Kyle Monangai is more of the workhorse back. Questions remain as to who might get the majority of the snaps at quarterback, though it shouldn't matter in this one.
The defense gave Temple fits last year and it seems likely that they make things interesting again in this one. Rutgers is holding opponents to under 250 yards total per game, while holding them to under 30 yards per game on the ground. That should bode well to them controlling the clock again in this one. Speaking of winning the turnover battle, Rutgers ranks just outside the top ten nationally, meaning gaining some extra possessions could be crucial towards making it an easy win for the second straight season.