Tag Archives: Temple football
Best Result: Good Guys a Lot, Bad Guys a Little
Cincinnati had to kick a field goal with 58 seconds left here to beat Delaware State, 23-7, in 2012.
When people ask me about my favorite Temple football games of all time, a lot of them expect me to say the Navy game of 2009 and the New Mexico Bowl win of 2011 or the Garden State Bowl win of 1979.
Nah, I say. All fun games, but not in my top three.
My favorite Temple football game of all time was Temple 45, Delaware 0. A close second was Temple 31, Delaware 8—both at Delaware before capacity houses of over 20,000 fans. (I also enjoyed Temple 56, Uconn 7, at Franklin Field and the 56-28 and 49-7 wins over Rutgers.) At Veterans Stadium, when Delaware was the top-ranked team in Division II (now FCS) football, Temple beat Delaware 36-7 (see inset). I enjoyed that game very much. 
All of those schools liked to talk smack about Temple back in the day and it was especially gratifying when Temple did the talking back by pointing to the scoreboard.
You get my drift. When the good guys score a lot and the bad guys score a little, those are usually my favorite Temple football games.
Delaware State is Delaware Light.
Delaware State brings a new meaning to the term “bad guys” on Saturday, perhaps because they are as bad on the field (0-3) as they are in the community.
I’m expecting a big game from the good guys on Saturday, only because Temple needs to get some work done on offense. If it does do good work, the Owls should light up the scoreboard.
Or it could be like Cincinnati in 2012, which plodded to a 23-7 win over the same program.
Hopefully, it will be more like those Temple vs. Delaware scores above.
Taking Care of Business
Matt Rhule’s press conference this week.
One of those little annoyances about Temple football is the inability to sustain a weekly highlight show in the Philadelphia market.
Penn State has one. Notre Dame has one. Even Rutgers has one. Temple, which has 155,000 of its 275,000 graduates still living in the Philadelphia TV market, does not–unless you are counting the Temple TV station (Channel 55 on Comcast) in Philadelphia. While tossing and turning and thinking about Fordham and Idaho at 4 a.m. this morning, I went through the channels looking for a replay of The Roosevelts (PBS, every night this week) and found Matt Rhule’s press conference instead.
Hopefully, the producers of that show will put a microphone in the crowd because you cannot hear a single question being posed.
Maybe if Temple goes to a bowl, the highlights’ show returns to Comcast next season.
That’s one order of business that needs to be taken care of and it won’t be accomplished without a big win over Delaware State. I’m not one of those Temple fans who writes “I’ll settle for a one-point win.” I’m settling for a big win–about 44-7 would be nice, 63-0 would be better.
I’m on record as saying Matt Rhule would be better for this program than Steve Addazio ever would have been, but he’s got to start doing some of the things that Daz made routine–including putting away these lesser opponents. When Daz arrived, the uni needed him to take care of business against Villanova and he did that twice by 42-7 and 41-10 scores. Against a service academy with strict academic admissions standards and a five-year post-graduate commitment, Army, Daz put up 63 points by throwing just five passes. Temple, with no such tight restrictions, should have been recruiting at a level for the past five years that made beating these service academies routine.
Rhule and the Owls need to take care of business starting Saturday.
Press Conference Notes: Somewhat surprised that we won’t be seeing Zaire Williams any time soon, but I hope that his problems are all injury related and he makes a big comeback …. doesn’t look like the Owl coaches took any time watching the Eagles’ game Monday night to see how the Eagles used 5-6, 170-pound Darren Sproles. Too bad because that’s the best way to use Khalif Herbin, who was drafted No. 1 by his teammates in the Cherry and White Day Draft. The kids know who can play and who can’t. Too bad the coaches don’t seem to know. My biggest fear is that for the second year in a row the most unique offensive talent for Temple will be lost on an island of inactivity. Call it Slot Receiver Island for Herbin; last year it was Tight End Island for Chris Coyer. It’s No-Man’s Land for Temple. Just like to see five … five .. Darren Sproles-like carries from scrimmage for Herbin on Saturday. If he does nothing, put him back in No Man’s Land … What are they afraid of? …. Good interview with Temple center Kyle Friend on Temple TV this week. They asked him about goals and he said winning every play should be the focus. Seems humble for the best center in the AAC and a great leader for the Owls to follow. .. looks like David Hood will get some carries this week. Owls need to find an explosive guy who can take it to the house at RB.
The Next Robbie Anderson Could Bring Some Juice
Temple commit Cortrelle Simpson catches 3 touchdown passes for over 100 yards in receiving on Friday.
I don’t know about you but, for the last few months, I’ve heard about Temple having the “next Robbie Anderson” in the fold.
The only people who could stop Anderson were the Temple professors who flunked him out of school. (I would have done what every big-time school does and stash Anderson away in Basketweaving 101, but Temple has a lot of catching up to do in that area. Heck, Basketweaving 101 is how I got through Temple.)
Wish he were slightly taller than 5-11, but that 40 time (4.33) would make him the fastest player currently on the TU roster (Khalif Herbin has been timed at 4.34). Maybe he’ll have a senior growth spurt and shoot up to 6-2.
You know, a couple of guys who were about 6-4, 6-5, who could run like Khalif Herbin, catch the ball like Larry Fitzgerald, and have the moves in the open field like Paul Palmer. A guy who P.J. Walker can just throw the ball up to and the 6-4 size and vertical leap and Temple ‘][‘’ rubber gloves would cling to it. Then strong enough to break a tackle in the middle of the field and fast enough to turn around and make RAC yards.
Temple has played two games this season and I haven’t seen him yet. Temple’s best receiver is a 5-10 slot receiver named Jalen Fitzpatrick, who has done all of the good things we’ve come to expect of him in his last three years at Temple. This guy was clutch enough to catch the game-tying touchdown at UConn two seasons ago, so we know he’s solid.
Still, he’s not likely to do what Anderson did and that’s catch nine TD passes in five games and become virtually uncoverable.
If he cannot do it, maybe Cortrelle Simpson can. Simpson got off to a good start over the weekend and it is chronicled in the Washington Post here.
Hint: If you are 6-4, can run like the wind and have sticky fingers and currently are on the Temple roster, please start making some explosive plays downfield now. You’ve got a one-year head start.
In Search of a Home Run Hitter
For what seemed to be forever, even in bad seasons, Temple football always had a guy who you could hand the ball off to and put the fear in the minds of the defense that he has the speed and explosiveness to take it to the house on any given down.
The Owls went from guys Anthony Anderson and Zack Dixon and Kevin Duckett to guys like Paul Palmer and Todd McNair to guys like Elmarko Jackson and Stacy Mack to Jason McKie and Tanardo Sharps to the more recent vintage of Bernard Pierce, Matty Brown and Montel Harris.
You could call Temple ‘][‘ailback U.
That really has not existed the last two seasons. Sure, getting Archbishop Ryan’s under-recruited star, Samir Bullock–whose running style is shocking similar to Pierce’s–would solve the problem, but that solution is a year away if at all.
Nobody bitched after Matty Brown switched; I have a strong feeling the same would happen if Khalif switched, too.
It’s not like Temple is waiting to recruit the next BP, because I believe he’s currently in the house and that’s between Khalif Herbin, Jamie Gilmore, Zach Thomas and David Hood. Supposedly at least two of those players are getting a fair tryout at running the football this week. I believe all should get at least five handoffs from scrimmage against Delaware State and whomever emerges from the pack–both literally and figuratively–should get the job going forward. For some reason, whether they are banged up or not, Temple’s other backs have not shown the speed to get to the corner. I don’t know what happened to Zaire Williams but seeing him getting caught from behind at SMU on a sure touchdown last year was an eye-opener. That wouldn’t have happened to Pierce or Brown.
To me, the offensive line is not a great concern. They had a bad game against Navy, but they pushed around a defensive line at Vanderbilt that had some success last year in the SEC.
The big concern on the offense is finding a true Temple Tailback U guy to follow the blocks of that offensive line (and maybe even fullback Kenny Harper) to explosive gains downfield. Establishing the running game would open up the play-action passing game of P.J. Walker. Right now, Temple’s passing game seems to be locked into throwing little flares out of the backfield and into double-coverage in the end zone.
Herbin won the New Jersey State Player of the Year Award in 2011–a year before P.J. Walker won it–for his ability to run the ball from the line of scrimmage, yet the Owl coaches insist on putting him at receiver, a position he’s had no success in the past. That was Al Golden’s plan for Matty Brown, to convert him from successful running back to the new position of slot receiver, before Pierce’s NCAA clearinghouse issues prompted Golden to use him at his more natural position of RB. Brown, who is smaller and slower than Herbin, held onto that position for the rest of his career. Temple fans were glad his talents were not wasted at slot receiver. That move helped Golden become a million-dollar coach.
All Herbin needs is the same chance. I hope he gets it against Del. State and, err, runs with it.
Thoughts On Depth Chart
John Christopher
For the longest time, the only depth chart accessible on Owlsports.com–Temple University’s official athletic website–was the one released prior to the Memphis game of last year.
That was a long time ago.
In the last couple of days, though, a pre-game one for Vandy (9:15 p.m., Thursday, SEC Network) was released and here are at least a couple of thoughts from this end. If John Christopher’s ankle injury suffered in Monday’s practice keeps him out, that’s probably one of the worst injuries the Owls could have because he is not only a starting wide receiver, but a snapper on both punts and placements. (The backup snapper is a true freshman.)
Even though the Owls have four new OL starters, they should be in good shape because a lot of those guys saw plenty of time last year and did well. Somewhat surprised to see Averee Robinson listed as second team, but Hershey Walton is a very good player and has the experience edge.
This year’s surprise names are starting safety Boye Aromire and backup fullback Eric Neefe.
Hopefully, the Cherry helmets return on Thursday night.
Here’s the depth chart:
OFFENSE
Left Tackle: Dion Dawkins (6-5, 315, So); Samaj Reed (6-7, 300, r-Fr)
Left Guard: Shahbaz Ahmed (6-3, 285, Jr); Aaron Ruff (6-3, 300 Fr)
Center: Kyle Friend (6-2, 305, Jr); Jacob Quinn (6-5, 295, r-Jr)
Right Guard: Brendan McGowan (6-4, 300, r-So); Leon Johnson (6-6, 300, r-Fr)
Right Guard: Eric Lofton (6-5, 300, r-Jr); Adrian Sullivan (6-5, 280, r-Fr)
Tight End: Wanemi Omuso (6-2, 255, r-Sr); Saledeem Major (6-3, 254, r-Jr)
Wide Receiver: Jalen Fitzpatrick (5-11, 185, Sr); Brandon Shippen (5-11, 185, Jr)
Wide receiver: John Christopher (5-10, 185, r-Jr); Khalif Herbin (5-7, 170, r-So)
Quarterback: P.J. Walker (6-1, 200, So); Connor Reilly (6-3, 215, r-Sr)
Running back: Kenneth Harper (6-0, 225, Sr); Jamie Gilmore (5-8, 190, Jr)
Fullback: Marc Tyson: (6-0, 230, r-Sr); Eric Neefe (5-10, 243, r-Fr)
DEFENSE
Defensive End: Praise Martin-Oguike (6-2, 250, r-Jr); Avery Ellis (6-2, 246, r-So)
Defensive Tackle: Matt Ioannidis (6-4, 285, Jr); Bryan Osei (6-2, 250, r-So)
Nose Tackle: Hershey Walton (6-4, 300, r-Jr); Averee Robinson (6-1, 285, So)
Defensive End: Sharif Finch (6-4, 240, So); Jacob Martin (6-3, 230, Fr)
Weak Side Linebacker: Tyler Matakevich (6-1, 235, Jr); Michael Felton (6-0, 215, Jr)
Middle Linebacker: Nate D. Smith (6-0, 235, r-Jr); Stephaun Marshall (5-11, 205, r-So)
Strongside Linebacker: Avery Williams (5-10, 210, r-So); Zayd Issah (6-3, 205, So)
Left Cornerback: Anthony Robey (5-10, 190, R-Sr) OR Anthony Davis (5-11, 180, Fr)
Right Cornerback: Tavon Young (5-10, 174, Jr) OR Sean Chandler (5-11, 180, Fr)
Free Safety: Alex Wells (6-0, 200, Jr); Nate L. Smith (6-1, 185, r-So)
Strong Safety: Boye Aromire (6-0, 200, r-Jr); Jihaad Pretlow (5-11, 190, So)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Placekicker: Tyler Mayes (6-2, 215, r-Jr) OR Austin Jones (5-10, 190 Fr); Jim Cooper (6-1, 195, So)
Punter: Mayes OR Perry Colby (6-2, 180, r-Jr)
Kickoff: Cooper; Jones
Holder: Reilly; Christopher
Long Snapper: Christopher; Corey Lerch (5-10, 200, Fr)
Punt Returner: Herbin; Christopher, Smith, Nate L.
Kickoff Returner: Herbin, Thomas, Shippen
Scouting Vanderbilt: Let’s Hope Temple Does, Too
Hopefully, the Owls’ plan includes attacking Vanderbilt’s weaknesses, which are the DL and DBs, and staying away from the strengths (LBs).
There was so much head-scratching in an underachieving season last year that just about every Temple football fan still has scars on the heads.
From the shotgun handoff on 4th and three inches at Rutgers to the use of a punter to kick an extra point—when you had a perfectly good backup kicker to do it—Owl fans were “wtf’ing” all season.
Play-action brings the linebackers up for run support
and dumping the ball over their heads could create
major run-after-catch opportunities for players like
Herbin and John Christopher. Keeping a dynamic blocker
like Harper in after faking the ball into his gut
can only help P.J. Walker’s protection.
Arguably, nothing compared to the way Temple was perceived to have scouted the opposition. At times, it appeared the Owls never popped in any opponents’ film before taking the field against them. The Owls passed the ball against the worst rush defense in the nation, Idaho, and failed to commit to the run against a FCS defensive line (Fordham) that averaged 247 pounds across the front. The next week, a St. Francis of Loretto back with considerably less talent than any of the top three Temple backs, Kyle Harbridge, gained 297 yards on 29 carries against that same defense. Either the Red Flashes have a bunch of Mensa members on their coaching staff or they just took the Fordham depth chart, put the DL weights into a calculator, divided by 4, and devised a rational game plan to attack the Rams. Since the scouting budget at SFL is minuscule, I’m guessing the latter.
Now game week starts and Temple fans hope things are different this season.
Vanderbilt is the opponent in a week and its new coach, Derek Mason, likes to play a 3-4 defense and Owl fans can only hope the Owls have spent the summer devising a good plan to attack it. The Commodores return only 10 starters, the second-fewest in the SEC. No SEC returns a smaller percentage of last year’s total offense, so the Owl defense should have a better chance stopping it than, say, they did a year ago at Notre Dame.
Still, as good as Vanderbilt was under current Penn State coach James Franklin, it lost to Missouri by a 51-28 score and Texas A&M by a 56-24 score. Temple should have beaten a UCF team that blew out Baylor.
The Owls should also look at what UCLA did under head coach Karl Dorrell because Dorrell will serve as Mason’s offensive coordinator this season. Hint: It’s a West Coast offense and probably not a good one (this from Bruins’ Report):
During his five seasons with the Bruins, Dorrell went 35-27, losing six or more games in all but one campaign as his teams largely struggled to execute his version of the West Coast offense. The lone exception was in 2005, when a veteran team featuring running back Maurice Jones-Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis posted a 10-2 record.
The Commodores lose Jordan Matthews to the Eagles, but they still have a playmaking wide receiver in sophomore Jordan Cunningham (15 receptions, 123 yards). Other than that, a whole bunch of new guys.
TFF’s keys to the game:
1. Khalif Herbin must have 15 touches (5 runs, 5 catches, 5 returns)
2. Play-action to set up intermediate passes for big RAC opportunites
3. Trust your 2 best players (Kyle Friend and P.J. Walker) on 4th and inches
4. Generate pass rush along front 4
Vandy’s strength is the offensive line, losing only all-conference left tackle Wes Johnson.
Its two top running backs are Jerron Seymour (716 yards, 14 touchdowns) and a scatback-type in Brian Kimbrow (341 yards). Seymour is a very similar runner to Kenny Harper—good for 8-yard bursts in the red zone but lacks the capability of taking a handoff at the 20 and going 80 to the house. A Matt Brown or a Bernard Pierce (and a Khalif Herbin) do have that capability.
The Vandy defense returns only three starters, all linebackers, so Temple would do well with play-action fakes and rollouts and dumping the intermediate passes over the linebackers’ heads. Those three starters are Kyle Woestmann, Caleb Azubike and Darreon Herring. Play-action brings the linebackers up for run support and dumping the ball over their heads could create major run-after-catch opportunities for players like Herbin and John Christopher. Keeping a dynamic blocker like Harper in after faking the ball into his gut can only help P.J. Walker‘s protection.
Vandy’s special teams will struggle without Murderleg (Carey Spear), whose days are numbered at Eagles’ camp because he cannot even beat out Dead Leg (Alex Henery).
Khalif Herbin will be able to do serious damage on punt and kickoff returns, if he is given the chance.
Hopefully, while scouting Vanderbilt, Temple coaches will remember that Owl name—and the name of St. Francis of Loretto’s Kyle Harbridge—as a reminder (to quote Andy Reid) that they need to do a better job at not only scouting foes, but taking advantage of their weaknesses.
Time’s yours.
Getting Closer to Vandy
Only 10 days until Vanderbilt and coach Rhule talks about the tight ends and the defensive backs.
Looks like things are looking up for the Owls in the secondary and tight end.
Hopefully, that translates to more points for the good guys and fewer for the bad guys. We will not really know until 9:15 p.m. on Aug. 28.
I’ve Got Your Home Run Hitter Right Here
Click on the photo to find out who ….
Winning Is An Attitude
Coach Rhule gives good news on Jabo Lee and makes other comments after 11th practice.
One of the many reasons why I love John Chaney because he refused to back down.
He’d take Temple on the road against the best teams and he’d win a lot of those battles. He instilled the mantra “Winning is an Attitude.”
I’ve got to like what I’m hearing out of the E-O so far this season. Khalif Herbin’s tweet was my favorite: “Temple University will not lose a football game.”
Temple University will not lose a football game.
— Khalif Herbin (@KhalifGO7) July 26, 2014
Matt Rhule also said he expects to go to a bowl “this season.”
I expect all 85 players on scholarship and a few more not on scholarship would consider this season a failure if the team does not make a bowl game.
Our fans should take the same attitude.
Anything less is a losing attitude and not reaching that minimum goal of a bowl game should deem this season a failure to every fan living in reality. The “reality” is that this league is more New Conference USA than Old Big East and that Temple’s last seven recruiting classes would have been ranked in the top half of CUSA and one, the 2012 class, would have been the top class in CUSA. Temple should be able to beat teams like Tulane, Tulsa, Memphis and East Carolina right now. The Owls already have proven they can beat teams like Navy and Uconn in the not-too-distant past. That’s the reality.
Winning is an attitude and so is losing. Maybe John Chaney can come down and say a few words before Vanderbilt.
Temple Football Forever 