With their first American Athletic Conference win under their belts after beating Memphis, the SMU football team turns their attention to the Temple University Owls, who come to Ford Stadium this weekend.
The 1-6 Owls got their first win of the year against The Army Black Knights last weekend, 33-14.
While it was the Owls’ first win, the team has been in every game this season.
“Well they’ve been in every game that they’ve played. We’re going to have to do everything right,” SMU Head Coach June Jones said. “They’re a step up in talent than what we’ve been playing being an ex-Big East type team.”
The Owls changed quarterbacks in the third game, when Connor Reilly was replaced by true first-year PJ Walker, who has steadily improved with more experience.
Walker has thrown for over 200 yards in each of the last two games, with four touchdowns and two interceptions as well as taking more of a running role in the offense, rushing for 75 yards.
One way Temple will be able to take some of the pressure off of Walker is if the Owls are able to establish a rushing attack with running backs Zaire Williams and Kenneth Harper, who are averaging 5.1 yards and 4.7 yards per carry respectively.
Senior quarterback Garrett Gilbert has improved over the course of the season and, although he threw an interception, he hit more vertical routes and was more aggressive, throwing for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
Even though Gilbert has been playing well, running back Traylon Shead and receiver JaBryce Taylor fumbled last week so SMU will have to take better care of the ball.
Last week, SMU turned the ball over three times, resulting in two touchdowns that allowed Memphis to get back into the game and Jones recognizes that it’s important for SMU to hang onto the ball.
“We’re going to have to play well and not turn the ball over and do the things that we did on the road against Memphis if we expect to win this one,” Jones said.
The SMU defense on the other hand, had a monster game from defensive end Beau Barnes, who had two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
If SMU can force that type of pressure on Walker, it could be a very long day for the Owls
on offense.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and is televised on ESPN3.
Prediction: SMU wins 42-10.
