Owls' defense among best in the MAC

October 25, 2007

Owls' defense among best in the MAC

Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff

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A defense can often be measured by how it performs in big spots.

If that's the case, then Temple might be onto something good.

Miami(OH) moved the ball on the Owls last Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field to the tune of 370 yards of total offense, but Temple clamped down in the second half for some crucial stops en route to a 24-17 victory.

The numbers don't lie. Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio's unit is ranked second in the MAC in several categories, including total defense, rushing defense and red-zone defense.

"The defense is playing much better," Owls head coach Al Golden said. "We've got to finish the job a little bit better. Right now they are starting to become tough. It's obvious they have unity. You can see that the off-season program is starting to pay off because we are in good shape. When they get down to the red zone, they get tougher, so that part of it has been good."

The Owls, now 3-5 overall and 3-2 in the Mid-American Conference, had two red-zone stops in the fourth quarter, including a fourth-and-2 from the 4-yard line. With Temple ahead 21-7, Miami had marched down the field and was in position to cut the deficit to seven with a fourth-down conversion. But Miami running back Cory Jones took the handoff to the left side and was immediately planted into the ground by defensive end Leyon Azubuike.

"That's a result of our coach.," junior defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. "In practice, he pushes us and pushes us every day to be tough and to finish every play."

One of the key players on the defensive side of the ball last Saturday was defensive end Junior Galette. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound sophomore came up with three sacks and a forced fumbled from Miami's 20-yard line, which led Temple to its first points of the game.

Throughout the game, Miami slid protection away from Galette on several occasions in order to focus on Knighton and fellow defensive tackle Andre Neblett.

"We just knew how big of a game this was," Galette said. "Coach told me that if you can't beat a running back, then you're not going to beat a tackle. I just tried to beat him with speed rush every time."

Golden liked what he saw from Galette.

"I thought there was a good duel there," the head coach said. "[Jones] was tough. There has to be a day where Junior absolutely has a day when that happens. He fought well, but he has to be dominant when that happens in the future."

Miami was able to move the ball well, especially through the air, but the damage was minimal.

Why?

The RedHawks were a paltry 3-for-19 on third down. Temple held Miami to just 56 yards rushing, sacked RedHawks quarterback Dan Raudabaugh four times, and forced two fumbles. Linebacker John Haley intercepted Raudabaugh with just over seven minutes remaining in the game, and safety Dominique Harris picked off Raudabaugh's Hail Mary attempt with four seconds remaining.



OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.