Who had Evan Simon throwing six touchdowns in K.C. Keeler’s first game as coach at Temple? The Owls exploded for 467 yards of offense and 42 points in a dominant performance against Massachusetts to secure the program’s first double-digit win in a season opener since 2019.
Keeler has won his debut game at four schools by an average of 32 points. At Rowan in 1993, his squad beat Newport News, 54-3; at Delaware in 2002, the Blue Hens outlasted Georgia Southern 22-19; and at Sam Houston State in 2012, the Bearkats defeated Incarnate Word, 54-7.
Keeler starting out on a high note seems to mimic other local programs. Current No. 2 Penn State and coach James Franklin began his tenure there in dramatic fashion with a two-point victory over Central Florida in 2014. Villanova’s Mark Ferrante held off Lehigh in 2017 for a three-point victory in his first appearance as head coach.
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All three programs are in action this weekend at home. Villanova hosts Colgate (6 p.m., FloCollege) to open its season, Temple takes on FCS foe Howard (2 p.m., ESPN+), and Penn State hosts Florida International (noon, Big Ten Network).
Owls’ creativity on offense
Entering the season, the biggest question mark for Temple was at quarterback. Simon seemed to quell those concerns, but Keeler said earlier this week that Simon and Gevani McCoy will play Saturday.
Regardless of who is under center long-term, the offense under offensive coordinator Tyler Walker is unpredictable. The personnel groupings changed throughout each drive, and Simon and McCoy were on the field at the same time at one point during the opening touchdown drive in the first quarter against UMass.
The use of pre-snap motion was apparent last week, but there seemed to be an emphasis of spreading the football around. Seven players caught passes, and seven players ran the ball.
Walker wasn’t afraid to call quarterback runs, either. McCoy finished with 15 yards on three carries, while Simon gained 21 yards on four attempts. Saturday’s game against Howard will give another glimpse at Walker’s mix of a run-focused attack and use of play-action passes off the run game.
Nittany Lions’ struggling run game
There weren’t many complaints from Penn State’s season-opening win, but the running game, which was a big strength last year, was lacking against Nevada. The Nittany Lions’ backfield duo — Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton — finished with a combined 62 yards on 16 carries (3.8 yards per carry).
Last season, Allen and Singleton averaged 5.6 yards per carry combined, so Saturday was well below their standard.
Throughout the spring and preseason camp, Penn State emphasized the need for balance on offense, and against Nevada, the passing game held up its end. In the win, 10 players were credited with a reception, and quarterback Drew Allar had only four incompletions.
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The receivers showed flashes. Kyron Hudson led the way (six catches, 89 yards, one touchdown), but Penn State needs its running game to catch up. Getting Allen and Singleton rolling against FIU this weekend will go a long way.
In FIU’s lone game against a Power Four opponent last year, the defense conceded 254 rushing yards on 5.9 yards per attempt. Expect Penn State to establish the line of scrimmage early.
Nova’s opening week success
Under Ferrante, the Wildcats are 8-0 in season openers, including a 2018 win over Temple. The last time Villanova lost a season opener was in 2016 against Pittsburgh, when Ferrante was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach under Andy Talley.
The key to that success? Fast starts in the first half. Across the previous eight season-opening wins, Villanova has outscored opponents, 180-33. In six of those games, the Wildcats entered halftime with at least a two-touchdown lead.
Continuity at quarterback has played a large role in that success, with Daniel Smith or Connor Watkins starting in six of those eight years. Now, either Pat McQuaide, a graduate transfer from Nicholls State, or Tanner Maddocks, a returning junior, will be under center.
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The Wildcats also lost their two top receivers from last season in Jaylan Sanchez and Devin Smith. That likely means the Wildcats will lean on returning running back David Avit as the new starting quarterback acclimates to the offense. Avit finished with 923 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
Stat of the week: 99.1
Among the 136 teams in the FBS, Pro Football Focus gave Temple tight end Peter Clarke an offensive grade of 99.1, the highest grade among tight ends in college football. Clarke caught four passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns in the Owls’ season-opening 42-10 win.
They said it …
When you watch the film, you can’t really tell the difference in being confused or scared … Maybe the moment was too big.”
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National must-watch game of the week
No. 15 Michigan vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (7:30 p.m. Saturday, 6abc)
Oklahoma will travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on Temple next weekend, but first, it hosts the Wolverines in the only top-25 matchup of the weekend. Oklahoma transfer quarterback John Mateer will face a tough Michigan defense led by returning edge rusher Derrick Moore and safety Rod Moore. The Wolverines are led on offense by freshman phenom Bryce Underwood at quarterback.
Did your area college football team have a big week? Have a player you think we should feature? Send us a note at sports@inquirer.com.
