Last donations: William B., Phoenixville (12/9/25, thanks William, our first contribution since Oct.) Ed S., New Hope, and Joe S., Drexel Hill thanks to both Ed and Joe; David N., Silver Spring, Md. 10/10/25 (thanks so much, Dave) Brian C., North Philly 9/27/25 ; John from Landenberg (who we sat next to when Temple beat Maryland, 38-7) at the game today 9/6/25 (thanks, John); Jon E., Cincinnati (8/30/25), thanks, Jon; David K., Glen Mills, 8/25/25; Eric B., San Diego 8/23/25; Jay M., Salem Ore. 8/15/25 (proving that Temple Owls are everywhere. Thanks, Jay). Another anonymous donation from the same source (thanks a bunch), 8/10/2025; Anonymous (your generosity is greatly appreciated, much thanks) and Joe F., Nashville, Tenn,, 8/5//25 (thanks, Joe, our first contribution in over a month); Steve B., Rose Valley, Pa., a Temple fan (thanks, Steve, that goes in the pot for a backup laptop if this one goes down Only $300 away), 7/6/25:
Earlier:
6/15/25 (Ed S., New Hope–thanks Ed!!!)
Earlier:
Michael A., Havertown, PA (thanks, Mike); 5/14/25 Anoymous (thanks, much appreciated) 4/25/25, David B., Delaware (owner of the most photogenic dog on the internet and someone who I and the late Phil M. had a great conversation with at the 2012 UConn game… can’t believe how time flies, thanks, Dave!!! will definitely meet up again at the next Temple at Delaware game); Matt P. (former Temple player under Al Golden), 4/21/2025 (thanks, Matt, could not have come at a better time because we have a bill for this site coming 4/30 and did not know how we were going to pay it); Brian, Philadelphia (thanks, Brian for being a long-time reader, sorry I missed you at C&W this year) 4/15/25; Ed S., New Hope, PA (4/6/25; thanks Ed, our first donation in nearly two months);
2/8/25: Anonymous.
Robert G., Quakertown, 12/17/24 and Joe F., Philadelphia, 12/16/24.. thanks for taking some of the sting out of paying to fix this laptop. Much appreciated.
Others:
Brian C., Philadelphia.
Anonymous, Anywhere USA (thanks for the generous donation), 9/2/24; David B., Delaware (8/24/24), thanks, David!) Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (6/20/24) …. thanks, Ed!!
David E., Philadelphia, Pa., 6/19/24 (thanks David); Zamani F., Philadelphia, Pa. June 7 (thanks, Z) Michael A., Havertown, Pa, May 9; John J., South Bloomingville, Ohio May 5; Hill Studios, Paulsboro, N.J. (thanks for breaking the longest time between contributions in TFF history), May 1, 2024 (the three May contributions will keep us afloat through the summer, thanks, Mike, John and Hill Studios it’s great to know people care); Jon E., Cincinnati, 10/11/23 (thanks, Jon); John from Landenburg at the Miami game (in the parking lot no less), 9/23/23. Thanks, John. Great conversation as always.
Two donations on opening day against Akron, one at the game from Ed of Perkasie and one from the greatest punter in Temple history, Eddie L., of the same hometown of Bruce Springsteen (our first contributions since April and they keep this site going; much appreciated); Heriberto S., McDonough, GA, 4/24/23 (thanks, Heriberto!!) Two on 4/14/23 (thanks to Joe F. and Ross M. ); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. 2/18/23 (thanks, Tom!!!)Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (1/9/23; thanks, Ed,) Lawrence S., West Chester, Pa., 12/28/22, our first contribution in over a month (thanks Larry, this will help in having to replace the printer we purchased in the summer that went on the fritz); Bob C., Chadds Ford, Pa., 11/27/22 (thanks Bob, our first contribution since September) Ed P., Perkasie, Pa. who donated 9/24/22 at the UMass game and Ed and I both remember and love Pennridge coach Wayne Helman; Joe S. (Delaware County), 9/3/22 (thanks Joe, hope to see you at Lafayette or RU); James G. (thanks James and for all the great posts you make on this site),, 7/29/22: Matt P. (former Al Golden player, thank you Matt for the generous donation it will be put to good use as we will explain in Monday’s post), 6/9/22; Matt F., Horsham, Pa. (thanks, Matt!!), June 6, 2022; David, B., Milton, DE (thanks, Dave), April 11, 2022: Andy B., Philadelphia, Pa. (our first donation of 2022, thanks Andy), March 3, 2022; Ed P., Yardley, Pa. 12/25/21 (thanks, Ed for the Christmas donation); Matt F., no hometown found (“a celebratory donation for Carey’s firing”), 11/30/21 thanks, Matt; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio, 11/29/21 (thanks, Jon for the donation and the great comments on this site); James G., Royersford, Pa. 11/28/21 (thanks, Jim, for the donations and your comments on the website); Anonymous (no home town given but donation really appreciated), 11/20/2021; Roger D., Rehoboth Beach,, Del., 10/24/21; Joe S., Drexel Hill, Pa. 10/3/21 (thanks, Joe) At the BC game (9/18), John from Landenburg (thanks, John for being a great friend of this site for so many years); Three Aug. 21 donations: Eric A (former player), Atlanta, Ga; Anonymous (by request), Cincinnati, Oh; Tim R., Buffalo, N.Y. (sincere thanks to all); David N., Silver Springs, Md (thanks Dave) 7/10/21; former Temple player Matt P., who lives in Columbus, GA now (thanks Matt) 7/9/21; Joe F., Philadelphia (4/7/11, thanks Joe) Matt F., Horsham, Pa., 3/27/21 (thanks, Matt); Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio (1/31/21, thanks Jon) Ed P.,, Yardley, Pa. (thanks, Ed, much appredicated), 1/16/21; Mitchell S. , 12/21/20, our first contribution since (10/8) earlier, Former Owl Bruce G., Flourtown, Pa, who generously donated $100 in “honor” of the Ambler guy 10/8/20; (if they hate you in Ambler, we love you in Flortown,” BG says). Thanks, BG, we appreciate it; Earlier: James G., Philadelphia (7/21/20, thanks James) Robert B., Philadelphia (7/13/20, thanks, Bob, hope to see you at the tailgates again this fall); Previous: Jon E. from Cincinnati 6/15/20, our first donation this calendar year (thanks, Jon); Earlier, John from Landenberg; Kurt B., Wyomissing Hills, PA (former Temple player, 10-15-19) Earlier: David B. , Springfield, PA (9/26/19 … thanks, Dave!) also John from Landenberg (9/21/19); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. (8/22/19, thanks Tom!! Also, 10 days earlier, Bob. C and Joe S. and, on June 26, first bowl MVP Mark B.
Earlier: Matt F., Philadelphia; Matt P. (former Temple player) John from Landenberg and Jon E. from Cincinnati
Jay M. no hometown found ; Earlier: William B. Chicago; John from Landenberg, ; Mark B, South Jersey, Joe S, Springfield, PA…,
Also:
Ed P., Perkasie, Pa; and Richard W. (no hometown given); Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Tim C., no hometown available; Bob C., David B., Springfield (Montco); Mark B., from South Jersey; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Thomas W., Palm Coast Fla; Jon E., Cincinnati; Mike S.,no hometown; Ed P., Yardley; William B., Chicago; Matt M., Philadelphia; Matt T.., Oreland; Kevin H., Philadelphia; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Carl M, Silver Spring, Md.;; Brett K., Swedesboro, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, NY; David K., Malvern; Jon E., Cincinnati ; Jon, SE Ohio; Cordalia and Jim S., Eastampton, NJ.; Herb G., Newport News, Va.; Richard W., Royersford; Matt T., Philadelphia, Pa.; MWB, Mechanicsville, Va.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; K.J., Alexandria, Va.; Jeff D., Philadelphia,; Michael R., Philadelphia,Matt T, Philadelphia, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.(8 in a row for 8 in a row, thanks EM); Jake and Diane Gicker, Dunmore, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Adrian R. Sr., Harrisburg, Pa.; Frank M., Marlton, N.J.; Ernie, Millville, N.J.; ; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Matt M., (five donations in a row); Kevin F., Philadelphia, Pa.;Matt M. (three donations in a row, thanks, Matt); Matt M.; Matt M.; Brian C., Philadelphia, Pa.; Matt M., Hometown ;Unknown; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Matt M., hometown unknown; Frank K., Horseheads, N.Y.; Mike F., Montauk, N.Y.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Michael B, D.C.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; James G., Philadelphia, Pa.; Michael R., Philadelphia, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring (Md.);
Mark H., Gilbertsville, Pa.; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; Johnny Who, West Chester, Pa.; John T., Medford, N.J. (formerly North Catholic, Philly); Jon, SE Ohio; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Dan M., Moscow, Pa.; Cyrus, Oklahoma City; Jon E., Cincinnati; Chris K., Harrisburg, Pa.; Chip M., Silver Spring, Md.; Dave B., Springfield, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed F., Philadelphia, Pa.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Matt G., Haddonfield, N.J.; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Thomas S., Landisville, Pa.; Jack D., Haddonfield, N.J.; Heriberto S., McDonough, Ga; Dr. Jim S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Dick White, Milton, Del.; Matt T., Philadelphia; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Mike D., Fairview, N.C.; Tim W., Myerstown, Pa.; Edward P., Yardley, Pa.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Kurt B., Wyomissing, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Tom S., East Norriton, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Matt T., Yardley, Pa.; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Floyd, Blackwood, N.J.; Jim J., Chalfont, Pa.; John, Landenberg, Pa; Jon E., Cincinnati; Ron A., Camp Hill, Pa.; Jay S., Jenkintown, Mr. John H.; Jonathan N., Atlanta, Ga.; Michael E., Levittown, Pa.; Ted D., Media, Pa. Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Todd H., New York City; Alex H., Westport, CT; Joe S., Primos, PA; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Stanley G., Mountain Top, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Micah F., Philadelphia, Pa.; James S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Johnny B. at the Hill Studio, Paulsboro, N.J.; Nick C., Philadelphia; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala.; Phil. E. (Fast Phil), Lorton, Va; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; George P., Downingtown, Pa.; Edward F., Philadelphia; Bryan S., North East, Pa.; Josh P., West Chester, Pa.; Brent Z., Atlanta, Ga.; David B., Springfield (D), Pa; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; David H., Pottstown, Pa.; Brian O., Ambler, Pa; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Brian C., Philadelphia; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Ted D., Media; Scott J., Columbus, Ohio; Thomas H., Mullica Hill, N.J.; George T., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Rob G., Fleetwood, Pa; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Fred A., St. Augustine, Fla.; Michael S., Westfield, N.J.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa; Matt G., Basking Ridge, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; John T., Medford, N.J.; Cap P., Finksburg, Md; Coolowl, New York City; Michael B., Washington, D.C.; Oakee, Salem, VA; Rob from Fleetwood; John from New Kensington; Kathyrn, Bloomingville, Ohio; Rockland Owl; Matt, Haddonfield, N.J.; Anthony, New York City; Jason F., Berlin (N.J.); Ed, New Hope; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Mike, Lindenwold, N.J.; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala. Jim, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Kurt, Wyomissing Hills, PA;
Dave, Ocean City, N.J.; James, Chalfont; Ross, Garden City (N.Y.); Schmitty, Ocean City, N.J.; Sarge (via Schmitty);
Broad Street Leon; Martin, Encino (Calif.); John, Boston; Mike, Susannanoa, N.C.; Francis, Lansdale; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Mark, Gilbertsville, Pa.; Frank, Sebastian, Fla.; George, Toms River, N.J.; Tom, Branchburg, N.J.; Chris, Philly (our first Philly donation!); John, Landenberg, Pa.; Tom S. East Norriton, Pa.;
Temple Football Forever 
everything is relative, Temple would be #13 out of 14 teams in the ACC this year in recruiting, and is being out-recruited by UAB so far…,we ARE going after four stars with no success this year.., check out the link below and look at all the players we offered, we are not having any success at the high end, so by default we are picking and choosing at the low end of the market.., that is not a process or strategy, that is called survival
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/218/class/2016/page/offers
I’m amazed how many of our targets are being targeted by ODU. Almost every single one.
You must have missed Di Carlo’s post on Owlscoop, explaining everything:
Quoting Coach Rhule:
“Sometimes when you recruit four-star players, you get four-star problems. And sometimes when you recruit two- and three-star kids, you get award winners.”
Di Carlo went on:
“[Rhule] went on to say that the staff would by no means shy away from recruiting highly-ranked players, but it was his way of saying that they’re still trusting what they see and looking for the same qualities they always have.”
So we should not worry that we are not getting 4* recruits. I guess we should not worry, for example, about our team speed and that some schools are getting players that are just a little faster than ours. And we clearly should not worry that we are not getting 4* recruits.
I read that post as well as Kyle Gauss’s post about Temple moving up to the #3 recruiting class in the AAC. To be honest I don’t really know a whole lot about the various ratings sites, how they determine the ratings and that they seem to vary quite a bit between sites. All that really matters to me is performance on the field, so I agree who cares if Matekevich was only had a 2 star rating, he got the job done. To your point Phil, the one thing you can’t coach is speed and that generally is something that comes with a higher rated recruit, not always of course but I have to think that is one thing that can separate a 3/4 star WR from a 2 star.
What I really find annoying in this whole discussion regarding recruiting is how Owlscoop (or as Mike calls it Pravda, which is hilarious) flips-flops constantly in order to maintain their over the top “protective” attitude towards Rhule. When people talked about “coaching up” lower rated recruits during hs first and second years, the response on that board from the cadre was that cliche….”it’s not about the Xs and Os it all about the Jimmys and the Joes”. Now when lack of highly rated recruits is brought up, in unison the same groupspipes up about developing these players with coaching and how you get award winners with the lower rated players. Don’t disagree with that but can top level performance be maintained year in and year out with that approach? I also don’t think that it demonstrates great recruiting is P5 schools are going after the same players if you never keep any of them.
the argument is always molded to fit their narrative. Zach Gelb’s big take out of the Houston game (which should have carried the day over at Owlscoop) was the atrocious clock management. Their game story glossed over the clock management to concentrate on the quotes “I’m proud of my kids” and “we’ve gone from D to A.” That general angle is for the Monday after the AAC season presser. The game story should be answering fans’ questions on what happened during the game that they cannot ask themselves. Inquiring minds needed to know what were the “excuses” for wasting 20 seconds a play in the fourth quarter. They would not find that info on Pravda, which protects MR like a Mother Cub her den. The rest of the Mothers over there watch what the Mother cub does and fall into line. Rarely, do you see a dissenting opinion (i.e. Give a Hoot) and, when you do, the other Mothers shout it down, no matter how sensible the point being made.
I read stuff over there but rarely post, I find this site, the Temple Fan Facebook page and the Owlsdaily sites have much more give and take discussion rather than the Stepford Wives approach at Owlscoop. As I said, I don’t follow or understand those ratings like some do but right now this year’s recruiting class doesn’t seem as strong as the previous 2 years and I’m interested as to why a 10-3 season, playing for a conference championship and being ranked in the top 25 doesn’t seem to provide much leverage!!
Nothing beats going to the games. DC and Baltimore have had some good watch parties, but I am glued to the TV and focused on the game. One club in DC enforced a “no team apparel” policy at the door. I had to take off my Temple sweatshirt as if I was going to mix it up with a USF fan, who were not invited. Best way to watch: Live at the Linc.
… and Boca
Agree with that Dave, especially this past season with great atmosphere and really except for Uconn great weather as well.
Owls just got a commitment from ot from Don Bosco Prep. It was predicted that the kid was going to VT or Duke. Looks like recruiting is picking up. Love kids from schools like this and St. Joe’s because the kids are smart and coached up. Those places are mini-colleges.
nice scoop John, yes let’s all hope the Owls step up their game in the 4th quarter of this recruiting season…, JD’s comment about speed is worth noting.., the perennial Top 20 teams are big, strong, and play fast with lightening ball speed.., having bigger, stronger, and faster athletes is always a plus, and is what really separates the 5 and 4 stars from the 2 and 3 stars
Being ranked third in the AAC is nice but the reality is that Houston is recruiting and winning against P5 schools and will likely continue to maintain this gap until the P5 scoops them up. If this trend keeps up in a couple of years Houston will de facto be a P5 school playing in the AAC with the other programs, including the Owls, vying for second place.
The Owls have had exactly one good season under MR so while I’d like to trust a process that produced an amazing year I’d like to see it repeated before deeming it a success. In the meantime I’d like to see us be able to out recruit the Rutgers and Marylands, or at least Toledos, of the world.
went to the AAC championship to root for the team, and see first-hand why/how Herman is doing wonders for Houston..,
First, he has managed to get the city of Houston behind the team, no small feat being it is a pro town, with more Texas A&M fans than Philly has PSU fans..,
Texas is prime real estate for recruiting, you trip over 4 fours stars on the way to a recruiting visit to a 5 star…,
their equivalent of EO is awesome, they have a Houston Hall of Fame outdoor walk.., facilities are top notch, about three steps above Temple’s
the football stadium is brand new, and the acoustics are unreal not to mention they put microphones in the end zones to amplify the sound…,
Houston has a bowl game with FSU this year and opens the season next year against Oklahoma.., watch out for this program if Herman can pull off either upset..,
no small wonder why Houston is the most likely new member of the Big 12 when you look at the map below
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_12_Conference#/media/File:Big_12_Conference_Map.svg
These are the same types of investments the Owls need to make if they want any shot at getting a P5 invitation. Building an on-campus stadium is a critical enabler as is scheduling a big-boy schedule and filling up the Linc until we have our own house. Additionally, the Owls need to continue to generate strong interest in the fourth biggest media market in the country. The buzz this year was palpable and hopefully another ten win season will continue to build local support…..however, playing Stoneybrook certainly won’t fill the Linc or drive up ratings.
Houston has 4 4-star recruits coming in next season which would equal the same amount that Temple currently has on its roster. not sure about this great Houston recruiting angle thats being sold on this site!
I haven’t looked at Houston’s roster but in addition to the 4 – 4 star recruits in their current class do they have any on the roster as well? Also what I look at in differences in recruiting between Temple and Houston right now is the offensive line. Houston had 3 freshman starting against us in the championship game. I believe of the 4 star recruits you mention on Temple’s roster at least 1 is on the offensive line and hasn’t even dressed for a lot of games this season. So it’s either a case of Houston recruiting better and/or coaching better
not an angle, it is an objective analysis of the facts. don’t take our word for it, just go to any of the recruiting sites and make a comparison and read their analysis
Houston has a billionaire (an avid fan) who chairs their equivalent of our Board of Trustees; who chairs the Temple BOT? Houston has a vision, tactical plan, and is checking off the boxes in the march to a P5 conference.., we can’t even get the city to back a new on-campus stadium..,
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/1955595/houston-cougars-big-12
good points. I see no evidence that we are closing the gap on Houston when they have a 5* and 4 4*s (see 247.com) and started 3 freshmen against us in the title game who are on the offensive line and our 4* OL guy can’t even get on the field. Do we want to win a championship or be content with second? I want to win a championship. I refuse to accept that “because we’re Temple” we should lower our expectations. Winning a championship is what Matt Rhule says his goal is and I’m behind it. Still, saying it is one thing and being able to do it with 3 freshmen starting on the OL is another.
didn’t realize Houston had three freshman on the OL in the championship game, so you are telling me those three freshman handled our seniors, MI, HW? we have to put up with three more years of this? I hope Houston moves to the Big 12 tomorrow.., we are not closing the gap on Houston or USF…, we have 18 freshman red-shirts next year who have never played a down, and Houston has several who played and won a championship game and will gain huge experience against FSU in a NY6 bowl, there is no comparison
KJ, what we need to do is buy Herman a subscription to “OwlPravda” (Mike took some liberties embellishing your naming) we he can read such words of wisdom as “do you seriously thing freshman can make a major contribution”, ” freshman lineman would be boys competing against men” (paraphrasing from that site). That way Herman will be able to realize what he is doing wrong at Houston. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think the sentiments said over there regarding freshman playing are necessarily wrong, it’s just that is is more of a case by case basis. So given that, I would expect to see Ruff, Robinson and McHale all pushing for starting slots on the O-Line next season. Of the 3 I’m concerned that Ruff the 4* appears to have seen the least playing time this year of all 3
The only reason Houston starts 3 freshman OL is because of injuries. They lost 6 OL to injury this year. That’s why they play the freshman. Out of desperation. The announcers clearly stated this during the telecast. However on Temple side they have no injuries and upperclassmen on the OL. Ruff has to wait his turn which is how good programs are built. Redshirt your freshman and let them develop.
would our freshmen have been that ready? Those Houston kids did a great job.