The UConn Huskies hope to give Temple a very unhappy homecoming game when the football teams clash on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Coming in at 2-3, both teams need a victory.

For the Huskies, the key will be stopping the run game of the Owls and keeping them out of the end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Eagles. Game time is 3:45 p.m. (ESPNU).

UConn is trying to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2023. They are coming off a pair of heartbreaking losses – 24-21 at Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 26 and 42-41 in overtime at home to Syracuse.

The Owls celebrated a 17-13 road win last weekend in American Conference action against South Florida, which entered at 4-0. It was the Owls’ first win over a team with at least four wins and no losses on the road for the first time since they defeated No. 14 Virginia Tech, 28-24, on Oct. 17, 1998.

Against USF, Temple ran for 182 yards, giving the Owls at least 175 rushing yards in all five of their games – the first time they have achieved that number in five consecutive games since 2011.

On the season, Temple has gained 1,063 yards on the ground, an average of 212.6 yards per game. Temple has gotten 51 of its 86 first downs via the run.

Running back Keveun Mason averages 72.2 yards per game (5.3 yards per carry) and has run for two touchdowns. Fellow RB Samuel Brown has run for 205 yards and two scores in just two games. He has added 105 receiving yards on four catches with two TDs.

Quarterback Ajani Sheppard also is a dual threat, gaining 234 rushing yards (46.8 ypc) and three touchdowns. He has thrown for 631 yards (126.3 ypg) with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

"I'd be careful putting this guy (Sheppard) into a box of 'just a runner,'" UConn head coach Jason Candle said earlier this week. "Very capable arm talent, bigger-body guy that is a tough runner, but they're doing a good job of putting a plan around him to orchestrate the offense and be efficient, be effective."

Something has got to give, though. UConn has allowed just 110.8 rushing yards per game.

Game time: 3:45 p.m.

Television: ESPNU. Ted Emrich will be on the play-by-play call with Fozzy Whittaker as the analyst.

Radio: FOX Sports 97.9 FM (Hartford) is the flagship station for UConn football. Mike Crispino will handle the play-by-play, with analyst Wayne Norman and sideline reporter Adam Giardino on the call.

The game is available on SiriusXM 270 and on the app at SiriusXM 980.

Online: The Varsity Network App

Live stats: Temple.statbroadcast.com