I think the offense finally starts to gel and the defense comes up big.

Temple ends the season with a win. 24-7

GO OWLS!!!

In case you did not see...

Local Article on Bruce Arians

The AAC put on agreat show on national TV tonight ECUvs UCF sensation game, great crowd and atmosphere1

On Philly.com Matt Rhule was discussing red shirts this season:

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/college/Rhule-talks-redshirts.html

Question for the folks here who now how this stuff works better than I do. Basically for all of the players he named in the article, this season doesn't count towards their years of eligibility and they will be competing for playing time next season or they won't be playing next season? Probably a dumb question but I never get this red shirting correct. Thanks

Looks like the rumors of Cincy and Memphis to the Big 12 are starting up again. I believe this has been out there for a while but now some ESPN radio station in Nashville is saying it is about to happen. I have linked the the Hartford Courant which has a quick blog post on it but really doesn't say much.

Also Paul Doyle @PaulDoyle1 · (he writes for the Courant) posted the following tweet:
"No comment from AAC commissioner Mike Aresco on the Memphis/Cincinnati-to-Big 12 report. Another AAC source dismissed the story."

Just as an FYI - I saw this over on the CSN realignment boards so this may all be coming from the original rumors from a few weeks ago but since the Hartford Courant mentioned it today, I figured I would post.
This post was edited on 12/5 7:52 PM by malenko

http://touch.courant.com/#section/2247/article/p2p-82200906/

Rutgers running back Savon Huggins, the former St. Peter's Prep 4-star recruit, is interested in transferring to Temple for his fifth and final year of eligibility, a source confirmed with me today. He is taking a medical redshirt this season while recovering from shoulder and wrist injuries.

Huggins was the top-rated player in New Jersey in the 2011 class, but things haven't panned out per the expectations placed upon him. He's rushed for 842 yards and nine touchdowns in 32 games. Injuries, as I noted, have been a factor recently, but he's also been beaten out by some other players. No character issues. Nice kid and works hard by all accounts.

It could come down to Temple or ECU, but he's said to be favoring Temple at this point. Kind of a fluid situation, but I'll provide updates as I get more information.

As I'm watching the ECU-UCF game...Espn is talking about the Big 12 and ACC games on Saturday night every chance they have. Not even one mention of Temple Tulane that will broadcast on ESPN2. It's as if the game isn't even scheduled. How sad.

1.
On P.J.'s fumble, it was Kyle Friend who blew
his assignment and caused the break down.
Friend has his worst game as an Owl.




2.
Colin Thompson is just a
horrible blocker. Obviously a gifted
receiver, but he's going to need to work on run blocking desperately. He strikes me as the ultimate team player, so
I don't think it's an unwillingness, he just doesn't seem to sense the angles,
what man to take and really, technique.




3.
Sean Chandler will likely
be the best player on defense, if not on the team by the time he's a Jr. Stone cold three year prospect.


4.
P.J. Walker can make all
the throws, the kid is smart as a whip (few mistakes, considering the kid is 19
years old), an elusive runner and tough as they come. If this kid has a running game next year, and
he ought to, he's going to be special.
Factor in Zaire Williams and Jabo Lee healthy, Huff and McHale, and
another year of development for Dawk, Friend and Ahmed, there's nowhere to go
but up.


5.
Dion Dawkins is just fun to
watch. Rock solid technique, a good
initial hand punch, and not only does he play to the whistle, he plays several
seconds beyond it.


6.

Despite some around here
wanting to fire Phil Snow, it's tough to find fault with his schemes this
year. He's got a VERY deep back 7 and
some players at DE. If we could get a
little more depth (not so much production) at DT, maybe from a Freddie
Booth-Lloyd, this will be a very impressive unit!


7.

I'm going to guess that
Khalif Herbin is injured. I haven't seen
him in a month and he clearly should have worked through the drops that
troubled him earlier.


8.

Speaking of injuries, it's
perfectly clear that Jalen Fitzpatrick is gutting it through various
injuries. The kid has great collegiate
ability, and the biggest heart on the team.
More than any other player, I'd like to go to a bowl game and get a win
for him to go out on. Truly a memorable
career, and I'm sure he's going to go on to do some incredible things post
football!

As of right now, we are looking at anywhere from 76-80 possible teams eligible. Of those possible 80, Ga SOuthern is only eligible if there are not enough teams to fill the bowls, so they don't count. The MAC, CUSA and SBC have more eligible than they do have commitments - possibly 2 from each conference. Because of our TV market and the AAC we have a better chance to go bowling than those possible 6 schools.

In the ACC, VA-VT is a play in game - someone goes bowling. Root for Miami over Pitt(should).
B12 - Need OU to beat Ok St(likely)
B1G - Need OSU to beat Michigan(likely), Illinois-NW is a play in game to eligibility
CUSA - Root for FAU over ODU(?), Southern Miss over UAB(unlikely)
Ind - Navy will be eligible unless a complete fallout in last 2 games
MAC - Need Miami over Ohio(unlikely), Kent St over Akron(unlikely)
MWC - Hawaii over Fresno(??)
P12 - BYU over Cal(likely), Oregon over Or St(likely)
SEC - Vandy over Tenn(ehh), Ville over UK(likely)

If this plays out like I indicate(even if Tenn wins) that leaves about 81 teams for 76 slots. SBC, MAC and CUSA will have 2 extra teams each. Independence Bowl has pick of AAC or CUSA team if they have an opening. Very good chance Memphis gets that so we are six IF we win one more - likely Military.

We got almost ZERO help this weekend! Golden, Nevada and a few others came up empty for us. We win and I feel we have a 90% chance of going bowling!

It looks like Temple and Tulane will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on ESPN2. So you'll have the Temple-La Salle game at noon at the Palestra and then football at night.

UAB possibly scrapping the football program. Was only a matter of time until those questioning the continued insanity got the upper hand at one of these urban commuter schools.
http://m.espn.go.com/ncf/story?storyId=11959176

If you are going to be in New Orleans for the football game, the Owl Club has organized a basketball game watch party for the Temple LaSalle game on Saturday.


It will be held at Poppy's Time Out Sports Bar at 500 Port of New Orleans Place, Suite 80, New Orleans, LA Game time is 11:00 am local time. Let's get the double win on Saturday. Hope to see you there.

Looks like the Inquirer's Helen Ubinas is coming out guns ablazing against Temple for their handling of Cosby.

Cosby

Rhule made a comment during one of last week's press conferences that has been interpreted (perhaps incorrectly), that American conference officials have somehow implied or hinted that Temple will be invited to a bowl with 6 wins.

We would finish 6th in the conference with a win over Tulane, but the American has guaranteed bowl spots for its top 5 teams, and nationwide there are already more bowl eligible teams than there are bowls spots available. It doesn't look promising.

Have you been hearing any inside chatter that suggests our chances of getting invited to a bowl might be better than the odds indicate?

This post was edited on 12/1 4:14 PM by Hoots_a_lot

This post was edited on 12/1 4:14 PM by Hoots_a_lot

With the losses of Robby Anderson and Zach Hooks, PJ's slump, and a bunch of injuries (Zaire Williams, Fitzpatrick, Herbin, Eaton, Jabo Lee, plus those on the OL) our offense has had a rough 2014 season. When you take a look at next year's roster though there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Consider:

1) All five starters on the O-line return
Eric Lofton - R-Senior
Shahbaz Ahmed - Senior
Kyle Friend - Senior
Brendan McGowan - R-Junior
Dion Dawkins - Junior

2) The O-line will have depth
9 Redshirt Sophomores/Sophomores (Aaron Ruff amongst them), 1 Junior, 2 Redshirt Seniors

3) A replenished group of RBs
Thomas and Gilmore return. Zaire Williams, Jabo Lee, David Hood should be good to go. We also have incoming freshman Raekwon Gray.

4) Real QB competition
PJ, DiGiorgio, Nutile, Williams, and Marchi all battling for QB should improve the quality of that position.

5) Another year for nearly all of TU's receivers to improve
Christopher, Shippen, Herbin, Hairston, Deloatch, Kirkwood, Yancy, D. Thomas, and Eaton are all back. Another year of experience should especially help the younger guys. Incoming freshman Delvon Randall may be able to contribute in his first year

Just some reasons to look forward to next year's offense. The D returns nearly everyone and should be one of the best in the country. If Temple can get some things clicking on offense, they should be in good shape.

2015 Schedule
PENN STATE
@ UMass
@ Charlotte
NOTRE DAME
@ East Carolina
UCF
@ USF
@ Cincinnati
UCONN
+ three crossover games (Houston, Memphis, Navy, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa)

Although we have not won a few games lately, it is not for lack of trying by the defense to keep us in the game.

This year's defense is light years ahead of where I thought we would be after our late game meltdowns in the 2013 season.

These guys are bringing it, and making big time stops and turnovers. They are getting stronger and more cohesive as the season has progressed and are down right, old school, snot socking, bad boys. Matakevich, Finch, Praise, Sean Chandler, Walton, Robinson, Avery Williams, Tavon Young, Ellis, Ionnidis, Chudnoff, Amoire, Alwan, Smith, Will Hayes, and all of the others are due a standing ovation for their efforts this season.

And the best aspect of this squad is that almost everyone is back for next year! (I think we only lose Robey from the two deep)

These guys are WE THE "T", and that "T" stands for TOUGH!!!

Thanks guys, your hard work and dedication are deeply appreciated by this Temple football fan!

GO OWLS!!!

Not only was the news of the Ohio State player's apparent suicide a shocker, but today there are reports that a former University of Richmond offensive lineman, who was continuing as a student after his playiing career was cut short due to concussions, was found dead over the weekend. Circumstances of this death have not been determined, but it makes you wonder.

aver attendance 23,370

largest navy 28,408

smallest del st 19.202

conference games
tulsa 25,340
e carolina 22,130
memphis 23,882
cincinati 21,255

open conference play in 2015 on 9-12 (unless we have a bye) vs either cincinati south florida or navy. they are the only aac teams not schedule that day.

in 2015 the aac has two more bowl tie-in seven up from five
boca raton vs mac
cure vs sun belt this will be a permanent aac bowl

2016 aac adds the bahamas bowl vs mac making eight bowl tie-in

What happened to them? Herbin hasn't played in weeks and Smith did not play today.

Gents, one game we KNOW we have left.

Anyone have a player that's caught their eye they'd like to call attention to, someone to shine a spotlight on for the Tulane game we may have missed?

I'm going to go with Will Hayes. This kid actually caught my eye at the start of last year when he tore out onto the field during the introductions vs. Notre Dame. Playing in a venue like that in front of such a huge crowd, this young man didn't show an ounce of intimidation or trepidation. Fella was fired up.
Since then, I've kept an eye on him and he's definitely made progress and seen increased playing time. While he doesn't have flashy speed, intriguing size, the guy is a scrapper. Backing up at safety and playing special teams, this guy leaves it all on the field.

Special mention: Since Hayes was banged up and might not be on the field for Tulane, I'll nominate Corey Lerch. The long snapper goes overlooked unless he screws up. This kid has had very few bad snaps and for a true freshman, that's showing some grace under pressure. Also, he's regularly one of the first down the field on punt coverage and while he hasn't had but one stop, he's done a fine job redirecting the play.

Three winnable games.

First Question: Do we still have an offensive coordinator?

Second Question: If we still have on offensive coordinator, does he/she attend our football games?

Third Question: If we still have an offensive coordinator, one who attends our football games, does he/she know anyone in football who could teach him/her how to execute some running plays?

Thank you for your response. Go Owls!

Temple is going to.a gun fight with a bow without the arrow . The one thing I have learned watching chip Kelly is that you need to be balanced and a threat all over the field . You attack weakness in the defense overall and attack a edifice play defense with reads on each play . Temple , without any type of running game is behind the eight ball. . When you take away 50 percent of responsibility from the opposing defense then you odds and play sculling gets very narrow .

This all becomes even more of a serious problem in the red done when the field is very compact . Add that your QB is less than 6 ft still and passes down near the goal line almost always have to be to the sidelines because he can't see over the lineman .

PJ is a big play QB and I font thing will be a great manager of the game . No problem because big plays can win a game . PJ needs to play off something and a running game would be ideal for this kid

I can't believe every week it's the same thing with these time outs.

I expected more of -7 line actually. I'll take that as a positive.