Temple Owls

Head Coach

Al Golden	3rd year
07-08	4-8
MAC	4-4
FCR	97

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Al Golden enters his 3rd season at the helm and he clearly has the team headed in the right direction. The Owls improved from one win in 06’ to four last year including a 4-4 mark in their first season in the MAC. With 20 starters returning and a significant upgrade in the talent Temple has their eye set on a winning record this season.

Quarterback - The Owls will be led by Adam Dimichele, the senior quarterback broke his tibia last season and missed the last four games, in his eigth games he completed 61.9 % of his passes for 1,595 yards with 12 TD’s and 10 interceptions, he also rushed for 330 yards. He is the teams’ leader and Temple struggled when he went down but junior Vaughn Charlton did gain valuable experience in his absence.

Running Backs - Talented sophomore Marquis Liverpool will move from wide receiver to running back he has the speed and quickness to get into the second level quickly. Pushing for time will be redshirt freshman Joe Jones and JUCO Jared Williams.

Receivers - wide receiver junior Jason Harper Senior Bruce Francis is the Owls leading returning receiver, he had 47 catches for 732 yards with 6 TD’s and received All-MAC honors. He be joined by Jason Harper the junior was Temples leading rusher last season and he’ll be making the move to the outside. Also in the mix will be speedy senior Travis Shelton and steady junior Dy’Onne Crudup who had 39 receptions for 376 yards, at tight end is junior Steve Maneri.

Offensive Line - Upfront the Owls are led by senior Alex Derenthal at center; he has 35 career starts and has been the team MVP the last two seasons. Other returning starters include sophomore left tackle Derek Dennis, at right tackle senior Jabari Ferguson and at right guard senior Andre Douglas. At left guard sophomore Chris Tremel made four starts last season, also in the mix will be junior Devin Tyler who has 21 career starts. If this unit can come together, particularly in the run game Temple will be looking at a winning record for the first time in recent memory.

Defensive Line - Temple led the MAC in total defense last season and the front four were a big reason. It all starts in the middle with senior Terrence Knighton junior Andre Neblett at the nose tackle. Knighton was team Defensive MVP and Neblett was 2nd team All-MAC, this is easily the best inside duo in the conference. On the outside senior Leyon Azubuike and juniors Brian Sanford and Junior Galette all return, Azubuike excels against the run and Galette led the team in sacks with 7 ½ last year.

Linebackers - This is a young unit with lots of upside starting with a pair of sophomores on the outside in Amara Kamara at strongside “Peanut” Joseph on the weakside. In the middle junior Alex Joseph and senior Omar McDonnaugh-Hales will see action.

Defensive Backs - This is also a young unit but this is one of the teams strengths, the Owls ranked 21st nationally last season in pass defense and return three starters. The secondary is led by junior strong safety Dominique Harris and sophomore free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. Harris led the team with 81 tackles and 3 interceptions while being named team Defensive MVP, Jarrett chipped in with 61 tackles. At cornerback sophomore Jamal Schulters returns and he’ll be joined by converted running back sophomore Daryl Robinson. This group is loaded with athletes and they’ll make big plays on a regular basis.

Special Teams - The kicking game returns both starters but more will be expected from them this year. Junior Jake Browell will handle the placekicking the punter will be sophomore Jeff Wathne, Browell was 13 of 21 with a long of 41 TD’s and Wathne averaged 38.2 yards on his punts.

Schedule - If the Owls are to reach the .500 mark they’re going have overcome a tough schedule. Only five home dates and trips to Penn St, Central Michigan and Navy will all be tough. But if they can upset UConn at home and handle visiting Western Michigan the elusive winning record will be in their sights. Look for the Owls be better this season and end the season with 5 wins.