UCFs Defense Facing Temples True Freshma

With the upcoming game of the Temple Owls at the UCF Knights, its one where quarterback play should hold even more importance than normal. Considering how quarterbacks often dictate the outcome to begin with, thats unique.Temple is going through a quarterback transition that includes a true freshman, and thats not easy. After seeing UCF utilize Mikey Keene as its starting quarterback for Tony Carr Jersey 10 of its 13 games last season, fans of the Knights understand the trials and tribulations of a true freshman signal caller. Well, thats what the Owls and their fans are going through as well.After being crushed 30-0 against Duke to open the 2022 season, it is not surprising a switch took place. Temple is now starting a young man fresh out of his school. E.J. Warner has been the starting quarterback during the past three games for the Owls, with the team going 1-2 during that stretch. He actually began his time as the primary quarterback against Lafayette in Game 2.With J.J. Redick Jersey DWan Mathis being ineffective, Temple head coach Stan Drayton made the switch to Warner in the first half of that game. Its been a mixed bag of results.He helped a struggling Temple offense get going and the Owls eventually defeated Lafayette 30-14. Warner went 14 of 19, for 73.7%, 173 yards, 9.1 yards per attempt, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Thats impre sive for a true freshmans first time behind center. Playing better competition, however, has shown different statistics and overall on-field results.The next game against Rutgers, Warner was 19 of 32, 59.4%, 215 yards, 6.7 yards per attempt, one touchdown and one interception. Of note, notice the drop New Orleans Pelicans T-Shirts in yards per attempt. Warners average went from 9.1 to 6.7.Scroll to ContinueUCFs defense only allows 6.2 yards per pa s. Warner will likely struggle with Willy Hernangomez Jersey UCFs defense, especially one thats ranked No. 1 in the nation in the red zone efficiency by allowing just 44.4% of trips inside its own 20 to end up with points. Additionally, the Knights allow only 14.6 points per contest. Theres another primary concern for Temple and Warner against UCF.Hes not a runner by way of no runs during the Lafayette or Rutgers games, and just two rushing attempts coming in the Memphis game. UCFs defensive speed could be an i sue and Warner might be a sitting duck in the pocket.From that point, being under pre sure could lead Warner to throw a few pa ses . Memphis came away Wenyen Gabriel Jersey with three interceptions during its 24-3 win over Temple last weekend.Will Warner play better against UCF than he did during his first three starts? Plausible. The odds are still stacking up against him and Temple and thats a big advantage for the Knights in this years Space Game on Thursday.Keep up with UCF News! Check out, like, and subscribe to Inside The Knights on , , and