TODAY’S GAME

Gasparilla Bowl TEMPLE (6-6) VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (8-4)

SITE Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Fla. TIME (TV) 7 p.m. Central (ESPN)

LINE Temple by 7

SERIES First meeting

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Temple is appearing in a bowl game for the third consecutive season, seventh time overall. The Owls, seeking their first bowl victory since the 2011 New Mexico Bowl, lost to Wake Forest in last season’s Military Bowl and Toledo in the Boca Raton Bowl two years ago. FIU already has tied a school record for victories in a season and is making its third bowl appearance.

KEY MATCHUP

FIU QB Alex McGough against a Temple defense anchored by ends Jacob Martin and Sharif Finch. The Owls ranked among the best in the American Athletic Conference in sacks per game and tackles for loss. McGough has been sacked 21 times.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

TEMPLE QB Frank Nutile completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 1,346 yards, 11 TDs and 7 INTs. David Hood and Ryquell Armstead pace the Owls in rushing with 562 yards and 4 TDs and 553 yards and 4 TDs rushing, respectively.

FIU McGough completed 231 of 354 passes (65.3 percent) for 2,791 yards, 17 TDs and 8 INTs. Alex Gardner leads the Golden Panthers with 765 yards rushing and 6 TDs.