The tie between Penn State head coach Matt Campbell and Temple head coach K.C. Keeler dates back to 1999 and Division III. Campbell played at Mt. Union; Keeler coached at Rowan, and his team snapped Campbell and company’s 54-game winning streak during a playoff game.
Keeler got the better of his first meeting with Campbell, but the Owls opened as a -21.5 point home underdog heading into their Saturday, Sept. 12 clash with Penn State. Keeler said that in watching film of the Nittany Lions’ season opening win over Marshall, their athletic defense stood out immediately. He also knows that veteran quarterback Rocco Becht could give the Owls fits.
“I am really impressed with their defense. They’re long, they’re athletic, they have a lot of them. They’ve got five defensive ends that are all really good football players,” Keeler said. “Their quarterback has played more games than any college quarterback in the country, and he’s just so confident and just such a steady player.”
Between their first meeting and Saturday’s game, Keeler said that he and Campbell crossed paths over the years at events like coaching clinics. He said that former Temple athletic director Pat Kraft made a home run hire, praising Campbell based on their limited interactions.
High Praise
“I know that Coach Campbell’s in the infancy of putting together what he envisions up there; I think he was a phenomenal choice to be the head coach. I know him a little bit, and we did some clinics together,” Keeler said. “I’ve actually spent a little time with him, and I heard him speak, and I think he was a home run in terms of what he can do with that program and how they can build it. They’re super talented, and I think you’ll see them rising to the top ten of the country very quickly.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Temple rolled to a 38-14 win over Rhode Island in their season opener, riding a strong ground game and two interceptions returned for touchdowns to victory. Even so, Keeler said the Owls were disappointed with their performance upon watching film, picking up on missed assignments and other signs of rust that they managed to survive against the Rams. Penn State, he knows, will provide a different challenge.
“I was a little surprised we didn’t get a better pass rush. I think our guys got out of their lane a little bit when we allowed them to pull the ball down and make some big runs,” Keeler said.
“So let’s get back to the discipline of the game: we might not get home all the time, but we can’t open up some lanes where the quarterback can pull the ball down. Penn State will kill us. [Becht], he’s really experienced and he’s really good with his feet, pulling the ball down.”
