02.04.24
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Deep Dive into an upgraded position

Nothing is certain in the world of college football recruiting these days, but the signs are there that one thing Temple football had trouble doing the last few years is in the rear-view mirror.

That thing is getting a yard on third-and-short.

Yes, the Owls dabbled in the Eagles’ “Brotherly Shove” but that was a hit-and-miss proposition and not the money in the bank the Eagles cashed every time they needed a first down.

All indicators are Antwain Littleton II could be that needed ATM.

As a 6-foot-1, 265-pound running back for St. John’s High School in D.C., Littleton was his own personal Brotherly Shove.

The website “Sharpe Sports” went into a deep dive on the talent of Littleton (see above video), who made an impact at Maryland over the last two seasons. The only thing he did not do there was nail down the running back position all by himself.

That figures to change at Temple where he could be “The Man.” Littleton is now down to 235 pounds with the same amount of power and a little more speed and with him and quarterback Cliffton McDowell in the backfield, the Owls have a running threat needed to set up a downfield passing game.

Antwain Littleton after scoring a touchdown in win over SMU (2022).

They tried to force a running game with a short passing game for the first two years and that didn’t work. This might.

There were few things more maddening in the first two years of the Stan Drayton Regime than the inability of the Owls to get a yard when they needed one. With 1 minute, 48 seconds left and a 46-42 lead over bowl-bound East Carolina two years ago, the Owls had so little confidence in their ability to run the ball on third-and-one, that they had E.J. Warner throw for it.

Incomplete, of course.

Drayton decided to kick the ball back to ECU on fourth down and the Owls never saw the ball again but they did see a 49-46 loss.

Aggravating.

There may be more aggravating situations ahead for the Owls but knowing they have a one-man Brotherly Shove kills two birds (hopefully not Owls) with one stone.

Keeping drives alive and keeping Everett Withers’ defense off the field.

Friday: Reaction to Late Signing Day

2 thoughts on “Deep Dive into an upgraded position”

  1. Hopes for that new Runner, maybe a bit like old time, like Bernard Pierce ? Darn but could THAT man muscle and run thru a line and speed up even more down field.

    I think if Temple had any decent running game last year then the QB 3 EJ would have had an easier time of it. I will respect and appreciate EJ always.

    If only he had run support then. But was it the runners OR the

    O-line couldn’t move a pile of dirt out of the way?

    I would like to know the true answer.

    Maybe , just maybe IF Temple gets one or 2 more hopeful players I’ll buy Season Tixx, again for the 30th + years.

    Reply

  2. TUFB will run the ball effectively when the OL gets bigger and more explosive. They have one of the smallest OLs in the conference. Zero hope running running the football in the 4th qtr, lead or not.

    Reply

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