Talking about SMU
Temple coach Matt Rhule met with reporters on Tuesday at Edberg-Olson Hall to discuss his team’s 48-20 win over Charlotte last Saturday and the upcoming American Athletic Conference opener against SMU this Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Talking SMU
Rhule started off his press conference by complementing SMU.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Hicks, a former three-star recruit with offers from Houston, Indiana, Texas Tech and others, has stepped in for the injured Matt Davis and has gone through some struggles. So far this season, Hicks has tallied seven interceptions to two touchdown passes. Despite his statistical struggles, Hicks has stood out to Rhule.
“Ben Hicks has come in and played really, really well,” Rhule said.
“Coming out of high school, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the country,” Rhule added. “He’s a drop back, pocket kid.”
Courtland Sutton, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound sophomore wide receiver, is SMU’s top receiving threat. He leads the team in receiving yards (449), yards per catch (24.9) and receiving touchdowns (4).
“They have a tremendous receiver in Courtland Sutton and a tremendous offense,” Rhule said of Sutton, who was held to two catches for 29 yards in a 60-40 loss to Temple last season in Texas.
Pass rush problems
Rhule reiterated what he said during Monday’s AAC coaches call -- Temple’s pass rush has not provided enough sacks. As it stands now, the Owls are ranked No. 9 in the conference in sacks and have tallied just five in the first four games.
“I was really kind of upset with our sacks numbers,” Rhule said. “I think I said it yesterday on the phone (but) kind of going back and looking at it, we’re No.1 in the country right now in pass defense. People aren’t really throwing the ball down the field … they’re kind of getting the ball out of their hands. We’ll be tested this week. They’re going to throw the ball to Courtland, one of the best receivers in the country. We’re going to have to find a way to get some pressure.”
Senior Romond Deloatch, a converted wide receiver that is now playing at tight end and defensive end, will continue to see time as a pass rusher, Rhule said.
“We’ll continue to use him as a nickel pass rusher,” Rhule said. “It might be tough against SMU because they’re going to go so fast.”
Deloatch checked into the game against Charlotte on the defensive side of the ball and immediately applied pressure on the quarterback. He came up with a sack on his second defensive snap, the last play of the first half.
Rhule ran onto the field following Deloatch’s sack and collided with the Virginia native.
“I ran out when he got that sack and I almost couldn’t walk at halftime,” Rhule joked. “I was in so much pain.”
Rhule praises Folks, Williams
Rhule was not pleased with the play of the linebackers following Temple’s 34-27 loss to Penn State at Beaver Stadium. He made that clear last week. This week’s press conference provided a different tune from Rhule when asked about the linebackers, namely redshirt sophomore Jared Folks and senior Avery Williams.
“He’s really making big jumps,” Rhule said about Folks. “We were really excited about him last year and then when he tore his rotator cuff, labrum, whatever it was, we had to sit him. I just think he’s a really, really fast, explosive athlete who is really, really smart and we’ve been able to play three linebackers to keep those guys fresh and you see him ascending right now.”
Rhule said Williams “played as good a football game we’ve had played at linebacker here in a while.”
Redshirt senior linebacker Stephaun Marshall also “played a really nice game,” according to Rhule.
Offensive line shows improvement
Rhule said Temple’s offensive line took a “major step” during last Saturday’s blowout win over Charlotte.
The Owls used their deepest rotation of the season along the offensive line and worked in redshirt sophomore Jaelin Robinson, redshirt junior Brian Carter, true freshman Matt Hennessy, redshirt freshman Jovahn Fair, redshirt junior Adrian Sullivan, senior Dion Dawkins and redshirt seniors Brendan McGowan and Leon Johnson.
“The job that (offensive line) Coach (George) DeLeone did from Tuesday to Friday,” Rhule said. “We thought we lost Leon (due to injury) on Wednesday, he got Jaelin Robinson ready. Jaelin Robinson got in and played great. Leon played great. I thought there was a real improvement on the offensive line that can get way better too.”
Rhule also acknowledged that SMU will come out and stack the box against Temple.
“This defense is going to try and take the ball away and blitz us from the minute we walk on the field,” Rhule said.
Listen to Rhule's full press conference, as well as interviews with Temple players here.
Audio provided courtesy of Greg Paone