Thursday, September 17, 2009

By The Numbers: Temple

From the NCAA stats page:


NCAA Stats Comparison
Category:Penn St.Temple
Rushing9467
Passing Offense1412
Total Offense3928
Scoring Offense5378
Rushing Defense1023
Turnovers Gained69105
Passes Had Intercepted5993
Pass Defense28107
Net Punting6724
Punt Returns9084
Kickoff Returns11243
Turnover Margin94120
Fumbles Recovered9964
Passes Intercepted15104
Fumbles Lost9353
Turnovers Lost8686
Passing Efficiency2416
Pass Efficiency Defense52104
Total Defense1274
Scoring Defense983
Fewest Penalties Per Game27
Fewest Yards Penalized Per Game28
Punt Return Yardage Defense945
Kickoff Return Yardage Defense106114
Offense Third-down Efficiency613
Offense Fourth-down Efficiency5150
Defense Third-down Efficiency3150
Defense Fourth-down Efficiency150
Tackles for Loss113
Offense Tackles for Loss432
Pass Sacks182
Pass Sacks Allowed471
Time of Possession1996
First Downs1934
First Downs Allowed966
Red Zone Efficiency11095
Red Zone Efficiency - Defense280
Average NCAA Rank:045.49056.19
Weighted Avg. Rank:040.67064.42


Keep in mind that Penn State's numbers reflect games against Bowl Subdivision Teams-Akron and Syracuse. Temple has only played FCS Villanova.

So to say that Temple's offense is better statistically than the Lions is misleading. But what really separates these two is the scoring offense--while neither offense is overwhelming, Penn State converts yard to points better.

Temple is actually worse than Penn State in turnover margin. Penn State defensively is better (rush, pass, scoring and total.) Temple is pretty good in sacks--both made and allowed. Neither team is very good at defending kickoffs.

Penn State is also much better in time of possession which is really amazing when you consider how poorly we run the ball.

Overall, I think the stats indicate a closer game than what we will see on the field.

Sagarin has PSU ranked 17th in the nation. Penn State is 5th in both the USA Today and AP poll. Temple is unranked in the polls and is 146th. (Eastern Illinois is 145th.)

I look for Penn State to dominate the game overall, but like the first two games, they may not light up the scoreboard so much. It will be interesting to see if we can get the running game moving against a Temple defense with a decent D-line and whatever changes on the offensive line the staff tries this week.

GO STATE! BEAT OWLS!

2 comments:

fisherts said...

Todd,

I'm happy to say I found you again. I always enjoyed your posts through PennLive, and did not know you stepped away. Keep up the good work! It is well appreciated (by me anyway...)

psudoc90 said...

DesertPaddler:

I didn't step away. I was unceremoniously fired. You can read about it here: http://psulionsden.blogspot.com/2009/05/wpsu-in-pennsylvania.html