Scouting Temple: Special Teams

Special teams is always important and if the Bulls want to get back into the Big East race, their special teams unit will have to be at their best.  Let's take a look at some of the specialist they will be facing on the Temple side of the field.

At the place kicker position is senior Brandon McManus (6-3) who is 6 of 7 on field attempt this season and a perfect 9 for 9 on PATs.  McManus is the kick-off specialist and the leading punter for Temple as well.  He has kicked off 19 times, averaging 61 yards per kick and has landed 14 of them for touchbacks, making the return game a bit tougher for Lamar and company.  He is also an incredible punter, launching 15 punts for an average for 47 yards per boot.  Field position will be critical in this game if the Bulls want to have a short field to work with.  Behind him is redshirt freshman Tyler Mayes (6-2 225-pounds).

At punt return is senior Matt Brown (5-5 165-pounds) who has 5 for 107 yards, including a long of 45 yards on the year.  Behind him is sophomore Kenny Harper (6-0 225-pounds).  

Brown and Harper are the kick returners as well.  Brown has 11 kick returns for 229 yards, including a long of 45 yards.

Overall, field position is key with the units.  McManus has a strong leg that can pin USF back deep in their side of the field.  With Matt Brown, Temple can bust out huge returns against the Bulls, so aimed kicks and coverage will be huge in this game.