Some stat numbers for winners

Temple probably could get Reese Poffenbarger to flip from Miami to Temple without a NIL deal with Puffs.

Statistics are for losers, the old saying goes, but that depends upon your perspective.

The only numbers that really matter are wins and losses but often the numbers behind that bottom line have to be impressive.

Stan Drayton might not know who Reese Poffenbarger is but Reese Poffenbarger now knows who Stan Drayton is.

Temple has a situation right now that is best illustrated by numbers.

Quarterback A’s best college football season: 79 completions in 137 attempts for 777 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions.

Quarterback B’s best college football season: 36 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 3,614 yards out of 296 completions in 471 attempts.

Guess which one Temple has?

Quarterback A, Evan Simon, last year’s backup quarterback at Rutgers who put up his “best” year in 2022. The one where he had more interceptions than touchdown passes.

Until Saturday, Temple had no shot of getting Quarterback B but now at least has a realistic chance.

The question is does Temple even know it?

If the Owls do, we should know the answer in a few days.

If not, we might never know.

Reese Poffenbarger, the former Albany quarterback who put up those impressive stats, is Quarterback B.

Bernie Madoff, the King of Ponzi Schemes, had a rule for his subscribers: You are not allowed to ask questions. Just sit back and give him as much cash as you can gather, make a little money at the outset, and watch everything crash at the end.

If, in fact, Temple head coach Stan Drayton never even tries to go after Poffenbarger, the question that needs to be asked is why. Judging from the outlets who cover Temple football, that question will never be asked.

Malachi Nelson went from USC to Boise State last week. Tate Rodemaker went from Florida State to Southern Mississippi.

Poffenbarger, who suffered the indignity of being recruited over a day after he committed to Miami, now has options.

One of them should be Temple. Going from Albany to Temple–you can’t say Miami to Temple because Poffenbarger never enrolled in Coral Cables– would be a significant upgrade for Reese and something that would benefit both parties. Like Rodemaker and Nelson, Poffenbarger to Temple would be a wise decision because he can slot in as a starter without the threat of Drayton recruiting over him.

Add the numbers of both Quarterback A and B to the Temple quarterback room and there is a good chance the numbers that really matter (wins over losses) will add up for Poffenbarger, Drayton and Temple.

Friday: The Eagles and Temple

Monday: Learning from an AAC foe

4 thoughts on “Some stat numbers for winners

  1. I live in Albany. Sources say Poffenbarger was offered 300,000 in NIL money to go to Miami. It shows how horrible this new world is in College football. He now has to decide, keep the 300k and hold clipboards on the sidelines or give up the money and get to be a starting QB.

    He did an amazing job at Albany. I would love to see him at Temple.

    • Saw the entire Villanova at Albany game on ESPN+. The kid has the same “it” factor E.J. had. Saw Evan Simon play against Temple. I’m sure he’s a nice kid but he ain’t it. If it wasn’t for that fluke tipped Pick 6, Temple wins that game, 14-9.

    • Being a starter at Temple right now might not help him much. EJ broke records here and only got a lateral change. And Poffenbarger could get beat up like EJ. Temple needs positive coaching changes more than anything.

      • Since positive coaching changes won’t be coming for 1-2 years, all we have to look forward to is positive player changes. If Rodemaker can go to Southern Miss, which pays its head coach 1/4 of Temple does, Reese can come here. (Plus, unlike E.J., he’s mobile and tall. He won’t be throwing those Pick 6s–USF and Rutgers come to mind–that E.J. does because he can actually see over the pass rushers.)

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