Bulls hope to ground the Owls

Things were supposed to be much different.

Coming into the season, the Bulls (2-4, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) were supposed to have a high-octane offense that would spread the field and torment opposing defenses. The Temple Owls (5-2, 2-1 MAC) were supposed to be steamrolling the conference on their way to Detroit for the MAC Championship game in December.

While the wheels haven't come completely off the bus for the Owls, Bulls head coach Jeff Quinn's offense is in disarray.

"It takes time to learn [the spread system]," Quinn said. "I knew it was going to take some time, but I thought we'd be a better pass-efficient offense…We haven't done a good job at taking care of the football…It's a lack of concentration; it's not a physical [problem]."

The inconsistent and, at times, unwatchable play of sophomore quarterback Jerry Davis has been well documented. His four-touchdown performance against Rhode Island in the season opener is a distant memory, and his erratic passing has been a drive killer this season for the Bulls.

After six starts, Davis has only completed 46 percent of his passes. Davis' 12 interceptions are second most among Division I quarterbacks.

True freshman quarterback Alex Zordich played in his first game last week and is now competing for the starting job. Quinn is crafting up more situations for the freshman in practice in hopes of getting him ready for real game action. According to Quinn, both players will be ready to see the field against Temple.

"We need to continue developing both young men," Quinn said. "The production at the quarterback position hasn't measured up to what we need…There is a chance for both quarterbacks to play this week."

Temple started out the season with a three-game win streak and looked the part of "beast in the East" early this season. Temple's defense dominated Connecticut's offense en route to an early-season upset against the Huskies.

But since then, the Owls have had a bit of a drop off in their play. Last week, Bowling Green, a struggling 1-6 team, came within a two-point conversion of knocking off Temple in Philadelphia. Before that, the Owls dropped a 31-17 decision at Northern Illinois.

The Owls made a change at quarterback during the game. The switch to junior quarterback Mike Gerardi will carry over into the game against the Bulls. Gerardi threw for 163 yards and completed 9 of 15 passing attempts with two touchdowns, and Quinn thinks that he was just the spark Temple head coach Al Golden needed for his offense.

A deciding factor may be how each team is able to close out the game. The Bulls have yet to score a point in the fourth quarter of any game this season, and Temple has failed to record a point in the fourth quarter in four of their seven games.

Quinn said he is equally responsible for the lack of production by the offense this season.

"We have to do a better job coaching," Quinn said. "I do, our coaches do, and we have to keep coming together as a football team because we have a lot to play for… We're all accountable. I'm accountable and our players and coaches are accountable."

Senior cornerback Domonic Cook has really stepped up this season. He is tied for second on the team with 35 tackles and leads the team with three interceptions.

The rivalry between Buffalo and Temple has grown through the years and Cook looks forward to the challenge that the Owls present on game day.

"There's a certain something about this game," Cook said. "Ever since I've been here, this has been the most physical and emotional game [of the year]. These guys like to talk a lot and get into your head."

The Temple offense can hurt teams through the air, but their game plan is predicated by the run. The dangerous combo of sophomore running backs Bernard Pierce and Matt Brown will present Buffalo's defense with a tough task to handle. The two players have combined for 959 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Cook and his teammates on defense have made a name for themselves this season with their ability to stop the run. This battle on Saturday afternoon will also play a big role in the outcome.

Kickoff for Buffalo's homecoming game is scheduled for noon on Saturday at UB Stadium.