Scouting Report: Temple

Oklahoma picked up a signature win over then-No. 15 Michigan over the weekend. This weekend is a prime opportunity to build on that.

The Sooners head to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to take on Temple for a rare non-conference road trip. It’s the first road non-conference game for the Sooners since 2022 (Nebraska).

The Sooners will take the field as a four-touchdown favorite and are expected to take care of business before returning home to begin SEC play against Auburn on Sept. 20. Here’s an overview of what the Sooners can expect this weekend:

Game Info

When: 11 a.m. CT

Where: Lincoln Financial Field

TV: ESPN2

Temple Overview

Record: 2-0 (42-10W, UMass; 55-7W, Howard)

Scoring offense: 48.5 points per game

Scoring defense: 8.5 points per game

Notable Players

Evan Simon, QB

422 passing yards, 9 TD, 77% completion

Jay Ducker, RB

215 rushing yards, 7.4 yards per carry, 1 TD

Peter Clarke, TE

6 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TD

Jojo Bermudez, WR

8 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD

Cam’Ron Stewart, LB

5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

Khalil Poteat, DL

6 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack

Keys to the game

— Slow down Simon

The Temple quarterback has been both explosive and efficient to start the season, and the Owls’ offense has leaned on the passing attack. Simon is averaging nearly 16 yards per completion.

— Keep Ducker contained

As explosive as Simon has been, Ducker has also been effective in the running game. If the Sooners can repeat their performance against Michigan running back Justice Haynes, that would go a long way towards shutting down Temple’s offense.

— Take control early

The Sooners are very heavy favorites to win, and win big. But it is an interesting road trip, and there’s no reason for the Sooners to allow Temple to hang around.

Take control early, build a big halftime lead and allow the reserves to see some playing time before SEC play begins.