Happy game week and we hope that you’re ready for tomorrow’s Penn State game at Temple. Ahead of this matchup, I sent a few questions to Steve Helwick of Underdog Dynasty to preview this game. Steve is a regular around these parts with our opponent Q and A and you should head to our sister site to read more about Temple – and the rest of their conference brethren. Here’s what Steve had to say about tomorrow’s game.
- It’s year two for K.C. Keeler at Temple. He went 5-7 in his first year in Philadelphia. What do you make of his fit at Temple and what are expectations for the Owls the rest of this season?
K.C. Keeler has already proven to be an excellent fit at Temple. His résumé speaks for itself, and he is a proven winner even with a lack of resources. He won FCS national championships at both Delaware and Sam Houston, but his 10-win season at Sam Houston in year two of FBS membership might be his magnum opus. Additionally, he’s a great fit since he has publicly declared this will be his final job, which promises Temple players and staffers a sense of stability.
Keeler walked into Philadelphia last year and immediately turned Temple into a 5-win team, after the Owls hadn’t won more than three games in the entire 2020s. Temple fell one point short of both service academies, and flipping either result would have pushed the program into the postseason.
Temple played incredibly sound football in Keeler’s first season, only losing four turnovers the entire year. The Owls should have lofty expectations considering they didn’t lose a single starter to the transfer portal. However, they lack experience at quarterback and replacing Evan Simon is no easy task, which could present some challenges offensively. I would label bowl eligibility as a reasonable and attainable goal for this 2026 team.
2. There’s a quarterback controversy right now, including former Penn Stater Jaxon Smolik. Where does that stand now and what do you expect from the offense against Penn State?
It’s still a work in progress. Last week, both quarterbacks earned the start, as Temple ran a trick play where Jaxon Smolik handed the ball off to Ajani Sheppard, who then threw a 21-yard completion. Then a two-drive rotation ensued for the remainder of the game, with Smolik getting the first two series, Sheppard the next two, and so forth.
Neither quarterback fully captured the job, as they finished a combined 9-of-16 passing for 142 yards. Smolik’s drives led to more points, but Sheppard posted slightly better stats, and the rotation will likely continue heading into Week 2. I think Temple will stick with one quarterback in the second half, depending on who has the better first half showing against Penn State on Saturday.
3. Who are some names to know on Temple’s defense and how might they try to slow Rocco Becht and crew?
One issue for Temple is its best defensive players are game-time decisions. That includes inside linebacker Eric Stuart and strong safety Avery Powell, who were two of the top four tacklers from last season. But one player who should certainly see the field Saturday is outside linebacker Curly Ordonez. Ordonez posted 70 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 2025 and started 2026 strong with a team-best eight stops in the opener. He’ll be instrumental in limiting Penn State’s run game, which didn’t exactly dominate in Week 1 against Marshall.
Temple’s defense has an especially tall task in containing what appears to be Penn State’s most loaded receiving corps in years. The coverage could struggle tremendously. Thus, the Owls need to rely on turnovers, and that’s been a staple of Keeler teams. His 2024 Sam Houston and 2025 Temple squads both ranked eighth nationally in turnover margin, finishing +12 and +11, respectively. The Owls forced three takeaways and finished +2 in the opener, so this trend might prolong to 2026.
4. There are a number of former Penn State players who have made their way to Temple, including the aforementioned Smolik. How are those players fitting in early in the season?
Jaxon Smolik will be the main Penn State transfer to monitor, as it appears he is the slight favorite to remain the team’s starting quarterback this season. His passing reps were limited in Week 1, finishing 4-of-6 for 57 yards and a touchdown, as he let running back Keveun Mason shoulder the load. Smolik did have a pair of fumbles in his first collegiate start and looks to improve ball security heading into Saturday.
Kollin Dinkins is the other former Nittany Lion holding down a starting role, holding down the ‘viper’ position. Dinkins is already enjoying greater opportunity in Philadelphia, generating three tackles and a pass breakup in his Temple debut.
Tight end Joey Schlaffer and defensive tackle Kaleb Artis also made appearances in Week 1 and could match up against former teammates in Philadelphia.
5. How do you see Saturday’s game playing out?
Penn State dominates, especially defensively, just like it did in the opener. Temple’s offense proved it can run through Keveun Mason, who is coming off the Owls’ best rushing performance since 2022. But Temple lacks experience at quarterback and the same Penn State defense which never let a capable Marshall offense get inside the 30-yard line should be well equipped to exploit the Owls’ inexperience.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions’ aerial attack looks better than it has in years. Rocco Becht is fresh off the program’s highest passing total in 24 games, and he only needed 18 attempts to reach that total. Penn State shouldn’t encounter too much resistance through the air.
The result should be all but final by the middle of the second quarter. Penn State glides to a seamless 38-3 victory, exacting revenge for the last time these opponents met at The Linc.
There you have it – we thank Steve for his time and look forward to chatting with him again next year. Go check out Underdog Dynasty and read up on a plethora of non-Power Four teams.
