Returning Temple football to the days where the Owls competed for conference championships has proven to be a herculean task. South Florida knows how tough that climb can be.
The Owls had a lock on the dubious achievement award after four consecutive 3-9 seasons before new head coach K.C. Keller got them pointed in the direction in 2025.
They stood 5-3 at one point before closing with four consecutive losses and missed becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019.
Still, they were looking for more this season, and there was an unusually optimistic vibe around the program.
It hasn't quite worked out that way however, at least not yet. The Owls have lost three straight after opening with a lopsided win over Rhode Island. A 27-9 loss against Penn State was followed by a 49-48 overtime loss to Toledo and a 21-17 loss in the final minute to Army.
They'll travel to Tampa to meet the Bulls on Saturday night at Ray-Jay, where Bulls fans may still be breathing into paper bags after last week's narrow escape at Bowling Green. Still, USF is 4-0, so the Bulls must be doing something right.
See you back home Saturday night. 🤘 pic.twitter.com/0zdLyKln8z
— South Florida Football (@USFFootball) September 28, 2026
“The bad news is we have to go play South Florida after a brutal loss,” Keeler said during his weekly media session on Monday. “The good news is we get to go play South Florida after a brutal loss, because the only thing that’s going to get you right is getting out there and beating a good football team.”
Should the Bulls be worried?
For anyone who saw last week's effort at winless Bowling Green, the answer is an emphatic YES!
Outside of running back D.J. Crowther, the Bulls' offense was a no-show. Quarterback Michael Van Buren, Jr. was under siege all night and was sacked six times. Because of injuries, USF was playing with a makeshift offensive line and the fourth different grouping in as many games.
Crowther had 23 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown against the Falcons. That was almost 66 percent of USF's total offense in this game. Temple has allowed 157 yards per game on the ground, so guess what the Bulls will try to do. Crowther averages 6.4 yards per carry with five touchdowns. His uniform will get dirty Saturday night.
“Their backs are really good… their quarterback’s really athletic, he concerns me a lot,” Keeler said. “You have to respect their passing game, and when you get spread out so much he can pull the ball down and make plays with his feet. Their running backs are really what make them who they are offensively.”
That would include quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, who really should be listed as HRB -- honorary running back. You've heard of the tush push? He's the Kro Go, with three rushing TDs from short range in the Bulls' four games.
This game starts a challenging stretch for USF. The Bulls have to show that last week's game at Bowling Green was an anomoly, and then five days later travel to San Antonio to meet UTSA in a nationally televised Thursday night game.
The UTSA game is getting ahead of things though. Temple has the Bulls' full attention now.
Add us as a preferred source on Google