A few notes to pass along from today's media session with Matt Rhule, which you can listen to on the front page:
Rhule noted that the team has converted 40 percent of its third-down opportunities. Although there's always room for improvement, Rhule called that percentage "a winning number" and an improvement over last season.
Rhule again emphasized that he feels his team will be ready to play again this week, this time in the role of the favored team. "There's no one here walking around really happy right now - none of us," he said.
Rhule had high praise for sophomore cornerback Sean Chandler, who deflected both passes that were intercepted by Tyler Matakevich. "Sean Chandler coming in last year was the biggest thing that's happened to us," Rhule said in talking about Chandler's work ethic. "....Our cornerbacks are the hardest-working group on the team."
An interesting note on fullback Mike Felton, who caught a touchdown pass Saturday night. Rhule said Felton didn't pass the program's conditioning test, didn't play in the fist game and had been seeing mostly scout team action in simulating Penn State's and Cincinnati's backs. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow liked the way Felton practiced heading into Saturday and told Rhule, "Give this kid a chance."
Rhule mentions four tailbacks as the players competing for snaps behind Jahad Thomas. It still sounds like freshman Ryquell Armstead is the No. 2 back. "Ryquell's time is coming," Rhule said.
Rhule also mentioned that Saturday's game will mark the first time Temple will be seeing a 3-4 defense.
Rhule noted that the team has converted 40 percent of its third-down opportunities. Although there's always room for improvement, Rhule called that percentage "a winning number" and an improvement over last season.
Rhule again emphasized that he feels his team will be ready to play again this week, this time in the role of the favored team. "There's no one here walking around really happy right now - none of us," he said.
Rhule had high praise for sophomore cornerback Sean Chandler, who deflected both passes that were intercepted by Tyler Matakevich. "Sean Chandler coming in last year was the biggest thing that's happened to us," Rhule said in talking about Chandler's work ethic. "....Our cornerbacks are the hardest-working group on the team."
An interesting note on fullback Mike Felton, who caught a touchdown pass Saturday night. Rhule said Felton didn't pass the program's conditioning test, didn't play in the fist game and had been seeing mostly scout team action in simulating Penn State's and Cincinnati's backs. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow liked the way Felton practiced heading into Saturday and told Rhule, "Give this kid a chance."
Rhule mentions four tailbacks as the players competing for snaps behind Jahad Thomas. It still sounds like freshman Ryquell Armstead is the No. 2 back. "Ryquell's time is coming," Rhule said.
Rhule also mentioned that Saturday's game will mark the first time Temple will be seeing a 3-4 defense.
