Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Preview: temple On Paper By Dan Murphy Temple Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Temple is in search of a new star at running back after sending Bernard Pierce to the NFL two years ago and losing Big East leading rusher Montel Harris (a transfer from Boston College) at the end of last season. The Owls averaged an impressive 201.18 rushing yards per game last season. Harris averaged 105.4 per game, which was the 25th-best total in the country. Head coach Matt Rhule said he'd like to have a feature back who can take 20 carries a game and a complementary runner to add an additional 10 touches. Junior Kenneth Harper (13 carries for 65 total yards in 2012) is the front-runner in training camp to be Temple's bell cow back this year. The Irish run defense (11th in the nation in 2012 at 105.7 yards allowed per game) lost leading tackler Manti Te'o and run-stopping end Kapron LewisMoore, but should still be a team strength. A suretackling defense behind preseason All-Americans nose guard Louis Nix and defensive end Stephon Tuitt will have the advantage in most games this season. Advantage: Notre Dame Temple Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense Rhule decided this spring that he wanted to bring more of a passing game to Temple's offense in his first season as head coach. He hasn't decided yet who will lead the attack. The Owls used a couple of quarterbacks last season while finishing 116th in the nation in passing with only 120.8 yards per game. Chris Coyer started nine games at quarterback in 2012, but moved to H-back in this year's offense. He and leading return- Junior wide receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick led Temple in receiving in 2012, catching 30 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. photo courtesy temple ing receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick will be Temple's top targets this fall. Junior Connor Reilly started August atop the quarterback depth chart, but senior Juice Granger is pushing to potentially take over that role after starting the final two games of his junior season. Notre Dame's experience in the secondary is much better than a year ago. Cornerbacks Bennett Jackson and KeiVarae Russell are both comfortable playing both sides of the field. Jackson, who led the team with four interceptions a year ago, is also healthier following offseason shoulder surgery. Sophomore safety Elijah Shumate adds a new level of physicality