There are encouraging signs everywhere.

UConn senior cornerback Byron Jones has seen subtle improvements, from better fundamentally-sound tackling to refined technique.

Jones points out the Huskies are working overtime to try speed up the growth process, often stopping by before or after practice to break down film.

"We're still working as a team to get better," he said. "I think we're taking strides in the right direction. We've just got to keep on the path. It's small stuff that you don't see unless you really watch film ... We see positives.

"You see improvement with the last game that we had, although we didn't win ... At the same time, we're still growing as a team."

The Huskies (1-3, 0-1) are coming off their best defensive effort of the season, allowing only 17 points in a loss at South Florida last Friday in their American Athletic Conference opener. Jones accounted for UConn's first defensive touchdown in 2014, returning an interception 70 yards.

Now they'll try to contain high-powered Temple (2-1, 0-0) which is coming off a 59-0 rout of Delaware State and ranks fourth in the AAC in scoring offense at 40 points per game. Game time is 4 p.m. (ESPNews) at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Coach Bob Diaco is not surprised that the defense is ahead of the offense. The Huskies are moving up the charts, residing in fifth in the AAC in total defense. Junior linebacker Marquise Vann leads the team in tackles with 43, including a career-high 14 at USF.

"It's easier to move faster on defense than it is on offense at the beginning of the development phase," Diaco said. "They're working hard. (Defensive coordinator Anthony) Poindexter and company are doing a great job putting realistic plans together for them that gives them a chance to execute.

"They're operating at much less than full speed from a book standpiont, from an installation standpoint. There's a lot of things that we would like to be doing that we can't yet."

UConn's defense will be severely challenged on a weekly basis in conference play. Explosive offenses fill the AAC landscape, with five teams averaging at least 31.5 points per game and all but UConn (16.0 points) and SMU (4.0) scoring over 21 points per game.

Temple quarterback P.J. Walker has thrown for 574 yards and six touchdowns.

"They're doing well moving the ball and producing points on offense," Diaco said. "And they have a few explosive players. The quarterback is a problem in that he's got a very strong arm and can make all the throws, and he's also a big athletic guy that can run. ... And they play hard on defense and special teams."

The Owls are two-way trouble.

Their stingy on defense, ranking first in total defense (296 yards), scoring defense (12.7), pass defense, turnover margin (+2.67) and red zone defense. They've forced almost as many turnovers (14) as they did all last season (15).

When asked if the defense feels any extra pressure considering UConn's offensive struggles, Jones said not at all.

"It's a team game," Jones said. "Not everybody is going to be firing on all cyclinders. That's fine. We understand that. It's our (job) to pick each other up, especially at a time like this where everyone is pointing fingers at the offense. Defensively, we've made some big mistakes."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe