Week 2: Connecticut at Temple

Who would’ve thunk it? A game between last season’s Big East co-champions and Temple, a program kicked to the curb by the Big East, is suddenly interesting.

The reason is Temple’s success in Week 1. The Owls won their first season opener since 2002 last week in a decisive manner, 35-7, against Army at Michie Stadium. Also, they are the home team in this one.

TU coach Al Golden, now in his third season, watched his team score touchdowns on a running play, two passing plays, a fumble return and a kickoff return against the Black Knights. The turnaround is significant. Last season, Temple lost 37-21 to Army. But Golden has all 22 starters back.

That could prove to be a problem for a Connecticut team that defeated Hofstra 35-3 last week at Rentschler Field, but had its share of errors via turnovers and penalties. The Huskies had five turnovers and seven penalties for 70 yards. Also, UConn QB Tyler Lorenzen had a bad game, throwing three picks.

Watch the early action in this one. If Temple gets off to a good start, Connecticut may have trouble. If the Huskies get their running game going, though, the Huskies could separate.

Notes:

Connecticut has won its last 12 games against teams that currently comprise the Mid-American Conference.

Temple is the nation’s only team that returned all 22 starters from last season’s squad.
UConn running back Andre Dixon is expected back in the lineup after missing the Hofstra game. Tailback Donald Brown had 144 yards in his place with four touchdowns and earned a game ball.

Key Player (Huskies) — Tyler Lorenzen, QB

Connecticut needs Lorenzen to resume his fine form. Against Hofstra, he completed but 14 of 25 passes and threw three interceptions.

Key Player (Owls) — Adam DiMichelle, QB

DiMichelle watched one of his early passes bounce off a receiver’s hands and into the arms of an Army defender last week. Otherwise, though, the quarterback was terrific, completing 15-of-22 passes for 159 yards and two TDs.

Connecticut by 7