As the offensive coordinator for Houston last season, Shannon Dawson led a Cougars attack to scorch Temple for 43 points, 485 total yards, 289 rushing and 196 passing. Everett Withers who was the assistant head coach of Temple in 2022 is the new defensive coordinator. Withers returned after a two-month stint at Florida Atlantic.
Houston quarterback Clayton Thune completed 29 passes in 40 attempts for 289 three touchdowns and one interception with 11 carries for 29 yards and another score. Stacy Sneed ran 11 times for 143 yards and two TDs for Houston. Tank Dell seared the Temple secondary with 12 receptions for 98 yards and one TD.
Samuel Brown added eight receptions for 91 yards and Matthew Golden had three receptions for 60 yards. The ability for Thune to spread the ball around bodes well for Tyler Van Dyke and the Miami passing game. Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Colbie Young all rank in the top 75 in receptions and receiving yards nationally.
Henry Parrish established himself as the primary Miami running back with 10 carries for 50 yards in the 48-33 win over Texas A&M. Miami split the carries more evenly in the 48-7 win over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday. Parrish leads Miami with 192 rushing yards on 26 carries and two TDs this season.
Canes OC Shannon Dawson at the podium now.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) September 18, 2023
On Temple's defense, which he faced last year at Houston:
"They're more athletic, they get after the passer...chaotic up front, a lot of movement...they're explosive on the edge...they're going to challenge us and get in our face."
Ajay Allen and Don Chaney Jr. both have over 100 rushing yards through two weeks. There has been no update on the injury to true freshman Mark Fletcher. Miami will be able to run against a porous defense versus Temple relying on Allen, Chaney and Parrish. Temple is 96th nationally allowing 152.67 rushing yards per game.
Houston limited Temple to three tackles for loss and two sacks last season. Miami has allowed four sacks in three games this season. Temple is 109th nationally with only four sacks in three games. The Owls are 23rd nationally allowing 171.0 passing yards per game. Those numbers are muted after playing FCS Norfolk State last week.
Temple is 39th nationally allowing 201.5 passing yards per game against FBS opponents. Expect Shannon Dawson to try and establish the run first against a Temple defense that allowed 254 rushing yards and three TDs in a 36-7 loss to Rutgers three weeks ago. Forcing Temple to defend the run will open the Miami deep passing game.