Last donation: 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 
Inexcusable. Russo played like a high schooler not a senior. The interception was horrendous and whoever called the 2 point play should be fired. Apart from that the ball had to be thrown into the end zone. I also was screaming when they went for two early in the 4th quarter. That manifested surrender that your defense couldn’t stop them.
Why are running plays geared to run east-west not north-south against a defense that is outweighed and outmanned? Kickoffs also were horrible. Like Rhule before the Army game Carey wasted his time and did nothing to give his team the best chance to win. I’m wholly disgusted because this game gave me flashbacks to the bad old days.
Mack had to get that ball. Russo didn’t call the play so the Carey as the CEO of the organization has to take responsibility. Navy has 6-foot corners and Mack is 6-5. Just lob the ball to him and it’s 31-31 or a pass interference. Also, how does a school that requires a 5-year Military commitment after graduation recruit a kicker good enough to nail a 50-yarder but Temple is not able to recruit a guy who can’t boom every kickoff into the end zone? Two trips to Navy (one against a good UNC team and one against a poor Navy team) and Carey did not have this team prepared on defense. All he had to do was watch the BYU and Air Force film and do what they did, close the A gaps and take away the fullback. That’s not second-guessing. That’s what we wrote in a prior post. Instead, the fullback gets a buck 20. Ridiculous. Also, chasing the point on the prior score by going for the two-point conversion was ill-advised. You chase the points when you HAVE to and the Owls didn’t need the two there. Kick the extra point there, kick it on the final touchdown and it’s a tie ballgame.
Do you guys ever think this will change? A midget football coach would have tried something different on the 2 point conversion play. I love all you guys, but the same old stuff never ends with Temple.
I completely agree with you, Mike. No reason for the 2-pt conv at that stage of the game. And how hard is it to focus on shutting down an offense that you KNOW will never throw the ball?? I’m stumped. And I disagree with Belli on Russo (no offense John!) – but aside from his traditional interception, I think this is the best he’s looked. 70% pass completion is pretty darn good, esp when you see the well-thrown ones that were dropped to no fault of his. I just worry that a loss to Navy will mess with their mindset going forward. And I think Carey stinks. Yet another lousy play caller at the helm.
Sorry but a QB who throws an interception essentially at the goal line because he didn’t see the underneath man when points are essential did not play a great game. He compounded the problem when he blindly threw the ball to Davis who was as covered as a receiver can be and was outside the end zone and but for a butterfingered Navy defender, the Owls would never have scored at that point because of another almost blind throw by Russo. Russo had enough class to blame himself for the two point play as did Carey who made that horrendous call. Russo’s been around too long for him to make the mistakes he did in this game. All we can hope for is that the mistakes were the result of first game jitters and the Owls will rebound.
Obviously Russo was far from flawless, no one will argue that. And his mistakes were glaring, since they were made at the most inopportune times. But his stats were still better than average. I can think of at least 2 solid tosses that were missed by receivers, so those alone could’ve been game changers.
The Defense lost this game for them far more than the Offense did. They played Navy for Pete’s Sake (not Alabama or Clemson!) and they couldn’t stop the run?? Even though they knew that’s ALL they were going to do?? Unprepared, unadaptable and utterly frustrating.
Wolff’s right: Carey isn’t a fit here. Kraft was trying to put lipstick on a pig and make them prom queen. Or a tux on a bullfrog and make them prom king. Or a tiara on a tiger and claim them royalty. Whatever. Pick your favorite. Bottom line: Carey stinks.
Not a personal attack on Carey, but as I have stated last year, the guy is not a fit here. He came from a second rate conference, can’t win a bowl game and was embarrassed last year multiple times. This is not a good Navy team. They are down. If you can’t beat Navy this is going to be a bad year. You cannot go down the road w/ Carey any further. It’s going to be a tough year to make a coaching change, but waiting another year is just putting off the inevitable. The fact that you had so much time to prepare for Navy and were unprepared, the fact that you have obviously not fixed your disastrous special teams is a glaring indication of a coach in over his head. Just looking at Carey on the sideline you can see the guy’s body language is not that of a successful coach.
Crap! Where do you start? Temple has too long a history of “helping” other teams, such as breaking school records or, as in yesterdays game, breaking out of slumps to clobber us. Well, as bad as we played, it was still winnable. Right down to the last poor-decision throw by Russo – his receiver was behind the defender and he throws a bullet instead of lobbing it over the defender for the 2-point conversion. Defense: Ironically, TU did ok on the side to side defense but stunk on the straight aheads, up the guts – Navy just pounded it up and down the field. I thought our D-linemen were supposed to be stout!? And there was NO penetration (except at the very end) and Navy hardly had to punt all game long. Offense: We moved the ball quite well and scored easily but “threw” away some opportunities that would have won it. Yes OwlFever, Russo had a good passing day statistically, but was inaccurate and made bad decisions at the most inopportune times. Same ol, same ol. Oh well, it’s going to be a looong season unless Carey pulls something out of his you-know-what! At least that horrible loss to UNC last bowl game doesn’t look quite as bad seeing them in the top-10 yesterday blowing out a #18 team. But Greg Stine, you’re right – the same old stuff with Temple. Crap!
My enthusiasm for Carey diminished as last season moved on and cratered bowl game. I had lower hopes for this season in any recent memory. I had a hunch there would be problems with the Navy game.
It’s hard for me to have any confidence in him or his staff at this point. The team and the program continue to gravitate away from the Tuff identity of the past decade.
Perhaps Roche and Yeobah knew more than they were letting on when they made their exit.
I couldn’t understand why they left at the time. I’m getting it more and more now. No identity at all on special teams and that used to be a Temple hallmark. IF a defensive coordinator can’t slide the middle to clog the A gaps and stop the fullback, that’s not a great defensive staff. At least Phil Snow learned from the Army game of 2016 to the Navy game of the same year that gap integrity was crucial. He adjusted.
Owls needed a tune up game. 100% correct. Mike nailed it weeks ago. I’m actually pleased that the game was close considering rusty, dusty, and musty players coaches and fans. Blame this 2-pt loss on Philadelphia City Council, Corona, and the Acting AD.
Thanks, Dave. Here’s the link to that suggestion. I think if Fran Dunphy would have taken it, the Owls would have been much better prepared for the triple option and won the game they needed to win. They had plenty of time to prepare for a 10/3 game against triple option Citadel. John Belli and I after the first two years of the Matt Rhule regime pleaded for the guy to ditch the spread, go fullback, two tight ends, play-action and that’s exactly what he did. He did none of that in the two years prior and all of it in the two years after. Every week during the 6-6 season, we hammered those points over and over in this space. He had a complete philosophical change and adopted all of those points. Coincidence? I think not. It made Matt $7.4 million but, more importantly, put Temple in consecutive championship games. Here’s the link to Joe Daniel’s treatise on how to stop the triple option (duh, stop the fullback by closing the A gaps and stringing out the option sideline to sideline). Did Temple even TRY to do any of that? No. They left the A gaps wide open and never adjusted. Both BYU and Air Force sold out to stop the fullback and, as a result, held Navy to 3 and 7 points, respectively.
Mike. are you still waiting for your Rhule money like I am for giving him the key to his success? LOL.
Not holding my breath, John…. but after every game in the 2014 year, I can remember you posting here “why doesn’t he use the fullback?” … “why four receivers when they can’t get pass protection in that set?” … “why not use two tight ends to jumpstart the run?” … “why not use play-action?” … It just made sense to anyone with a football mind who was around Hardin for so long that was the prescription for success. Rhule did none of the above in 2013 and 2014 and ALL of the above in the two 10-win seasons. Not a coincidence. Just read the Rhule quote at the top right that is linked to a USA Today story.
What irked me more than anything was that Rhule continually called quick outs to receivers who weren’t quick and also couldn’t block his first two seasons. It made absolutely no sense and they called that play five-ten times a game.
I’m currently resigned to to mediocrity because Carey didn’t have enough brains to fill the center guard gaps even though he had three Navy game films where the opposing coaches shut them down doing just that. Unbelievably sad.
Sad game a very sad game. I have little hope for major improvements for this team now. Is coaching going to be an ongoing issue now and forever with this group ? Is it the players, the plays, coaching or just plain old bad luck ?