1. Dominated for a quarter and a half to start this game, the Owls pulled off a momentum-swinging, and possible conference title-saving, TD drive to essentially close out the second frame, marching 74 yards on 10 plays in 5 minutes, 39 seconds to take a 10-6 lead into the halftime. QB P.J. Walker finished things off with a 1-yard rollout pass to FB Michael Felton that saw the Bearcats unable to handle the Owls flooding the right side of the field. Up that impressive display, Cincy appeared too fast and too strong for Temple.
2. The Owls didn’t appear in a euphoric haze, courtesy of last week’s history-making victory against Penn State, to start this one. The ’Cats just looked better in every phase, although not necessarily on two critical ones: the scoreboard and turnover battle. Cincy miscues, in fact, appeared to be the visiting Owls’ only chance of remaining in this one as the ’Cats held a 138-38 yardage advantage before that key possession before the break.
3. Remember that pass rush against Penn State, the one that yielded an American Athletic Conference record 10 sacks? Well, it was non-existent through the first 30 minutes as Cincy’s OL kept the Owls’ blitzing pressure D at bay. The first tangible sign that this week may be different occurred in the afternoon, when the Nittany Lions struggled against Buffalo – meaning maybe that win, and the sacks in it, weren’t so “amazing.”
4. The kicking game, such an issue in Matt Rhule’s first two years as head coach, once again appears to be a team strength now. Punter Alex Starzyk, as he did last week, is proving to be a weapon, and placekicker Austin Jones is “money.” My, how times have changed.
5. C’mon, the uniforms – gotta give it up for the all-cherry, on the road no less. Thank you, Cincy, for opting to go with the all-white getup. Allowed the Owls to have the better and “badder” look right from the jump.
- Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
2. The Owls didn’t appear in a euphoric haze, courtesy of last week’s history-making victory against Penn State, to start this one. The ’Cats just looked better in every phase, although not necessarily on two critical ones: the scoreboard and turnover battle. Cincy miscues, in fact, appeared to be the visiting Owls’ only chance of remaining in this one as the ’Cats held a 138-38 yardage advantage before that key possession before the break.
3. Remember that pass rush against Penn State, the one that yielded an American Athletic Conference record 10 sacks? Well, it was non-existent through the first 30 minutes as Cincy’s OL kept the Owls’ blitzing pressure D at bay. The first tangible sign that this week may be different occurred in the afternoon, when the Nittany Lions struggled against Buffalo – meaning maybe that win, and the sacks in it, weren’t so “amazing.”
4. The kicking game, such an issue in Matt Rhule’s first two years as head coach, once again appears to be a team strength now. Punter Alex Starzyk, as he did last week, is proving to be a weapon, and placekicker Austin Jones is “money.” My, how times have changed.
5. C’mon, the uniforms – gotta give it up for the all-cherry, on the road no less. Thank you, Cincy, for opting to go with the all-white getup. Allowed the Owls to have the better and “badder” look right from the jump.
- Jack Kerwin | ydkjack1@gmail.com
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