Temple showing no quit despite rough start

There's no quitting at Temple.

Despite coming out of the softer portion of their schedule winless and now faced with a Saturday visit from No. 7-ranked Louisville (4-0), the Owls (0-4) completed a spirited week of practice Friday and eagerly await the best team they will see all season.

"It's a big week for us, a chance to face a top 10 team with a quarterback who is a lock to go in the first round," Temple coach Matt Rhule said earlier this week.

Temple could very easily be 2-2 had it scored five more points in losses to Fordham (30-29) and Idaho (26-24). Rather, the Owls find themselves looking for Rhule's first career win against a team - led by a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater - that averages 48 points and thus far has held opponents to an FBS-low 6.8 points per game.

Rhule said he has not seen any evidence that the players have thrown in the towel.

"If that was going to happen, that means it was going to happen no matter what," Rhule said. "I see just the opposite."

As a point of reference, Rhule pointed to 2006, his first year as an assistant. That year the Owls finished 1-11 and were outscored 496-134. The Owls were shut out in back-to-back weekends - once by Louisville, 62-0, before the first month of the season was over.

Two seasons later, though, in Al Golden's third season at the helm, after beginning the season 1-4, the Owls won four of their final seven games to finish 5-7. A lot of young players received valuable playing experience in 2008, and the following season the Owls went 9-4 and received their first bowl invitation in 30 seasons, losing, 30-21, to UCLA in the EagleBank (now the Military).

"A lot of young guys played in that [2008] season and got a taste of what it was like to be in games, make plays and understand what happens when you do that," Rhule said earlier this week. "This season reminds me a lot of 2008.

"I'd be worried if I wasn't seeing young guys like [linebacker] Sharif Finch get into a game and make a play on the quarterback," Rhule said, referring to the freshman's sack of the quarterback last week. "I'd be upset if I didn't see [freshman running back] Zaire Williams break off a good run, get dinged up, and then get back out there again. So I'm not seeing any negative signs out of these guys."

The Cardinals, who defeated the visiting Owls last season, 45-17, do not sound as if they might overlook these Owls.

"You have to tell them that it is all about us and all about our preparation," Louisville coach Charlie Strong said. "If you are going to be the best team, you are going to have to play like it."

When: Saturday at noon

Where: Lincoln Financial Field

Records: Louisville 4-0; Temple 0-4

TV/Radio: 6ABC; WPHT-AM 1210

Coaches: Louisville, Charlie Strong (29-14, fourth season); Temple, Matt Rhule (0-4, first season)

Series: Tied 3-3. Last time, Louisville won, 45-17, Nov. 1, 2012

THREE THINGS TO WATCH:

Louisville (48. points per game, including 72 vs. Florida International two weeks ago) needs to score points to continue to impress poll voters across the country, so don't expect them to take their foot off the accelerator.

The Owls have played four games without recording a single interception; Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has thrown for 14 touchdowns but has been picked off just once.

Louisville's offense is more than just Bridgewater: In their last two games the Cardinals' running game has averaged 226 yards.

THREE THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

Louisville offensive line coach Dave Borbely coached the Owls offensive line for three seasons (1989-91) under Jerry Brandt.

Temple is one of seven FBS programs to share its home venue with an NFL franchise. The other six: San Diego State (Qualcomm Stadium), Tulane (Superdome), South Florida (Raymond James Stadium), Pittsburgh (Heinz Field), Miami (Dolphin Stadium), and Massachusetts (Gillette Stadium).

The combined record of Temple's four foes is 13-6. The combined record of Louisville's four opponents is 5-10.

- John N. Mitchell
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