The Navy Midshipmen will head up to Philadelphia to face the Temple Owls in AAC play this weekend from Lincoln Financial Field. Navy holds the head-to-head lead, 9-8, after winning three straight meetings.
Navy Midshipmen Preview
Navy fell to 3-4 after losing to Air Force at home, 17-6. The Midshipmen were held scoreless for nearly the entire contest, and they’ll look to turn things around here in Philly. The Navy offense is scoring 18.3 ppg, while passing for 99.7 ypg, rushing for 205.1 ypg, and converting 28.7% of their third downs.
Navy Player Notes
• Veteran quarterback Tai Lavatai returned for the Air Force game, but he was unable to guide the Midshipmen to a victory after finishing at 96 passing yards, with a score and two interceptions. The longtime Navy QB wasn’t able to add much on the ground due to injury, and he may have to do more here to avoid being the first team to fall to Temple in nearly two months. Lavatai has passed for 522 yards, with four touchdowns to two interceptions, and he’s rushed for 171 yards and a pair of scores.
• Sophomore back Alex Tecza couldn’t get anything going against AFA, and he leads the team in rushing with 527 yards on 74 touches.
• Junior fullback Dana Fofana is second with 255 rushing yards on 54 carries.
• The Navy defense has allowed 22.1 points per game.
Temple Owls Preview
Temple fell to 2-6 after losing to SMU in Philly, 55-0. The Owls were completely outmatched by the Mustangs, and they’ll attempt to avoid a sixth straight loss this weekend. The Temple offense is scoring 19.1 ppg, while passing for 248.1 ypg, rushing for 101.3 ypg, and converting 39.3% of their third downs.
Temple Player Notes
• Quincy Patterson started in place of E.J. Warner last weekend, and he did not fare well at all, going just 6/14 for 47 yards in the blowout loss to SMU. The veteran quarterback is a major step back from Warner, as the Owls aren’t able to air it out the same way, and he’ll have to turn things around if they’d like to beat Navy. Patterson has passed for 184 yards, with three interceptions, and he’s rushed for 132 yards and four scores.
• Freshman RB Joquez Smith hasn’t found much room over the past five games, but he leads the backfield with 299 yards on 63 carries.
• Senior wideout Amad Anderson Jr. leads the Owls in receptions (26) and receiving yards (375).
• The Temple defense has allowed 38.0 points per game.
Navy vs Temple Trends
• Navy is 2-3-1 against the spread, with a 2-4 O/U record.
• Temple is 1-7 ATS, with a 4-4 over/under record.
Corey’s Free Pick
Temple’s problem at the quarterback position will make them a target here, as Navy needs to get back into the win column if they’d like to become bowl eligible. The drop off from E.J. Warner to Quincy Patterson will be a lot to overcome again, and after dropping a fifth straight game in blowout, shutout fashion, you have to wonder how the psyche of this team is. Navy is a hard-hitting squad, and they may be able to come into Philly and rough Temple up with their ground game, so let’s back them here for this AAC matchup.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
