2008 Temple Owls Preview

This is the year Temple has been pointing toward. The Owls have almost everyone back from a team that went 4–4 in the MAC in its first full season in the conference. So now, naturally, expectations are high.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Owls

Temple won as many games last season (four) as it did in the previous four seasons combined. And the Owls figure to be an even better team this season, especially if senior quarterback Adam DiMichele makes a full recovery (broken leg), as anticipated, and the running game improves. Last year, Temple ranked last in the 13-team MAC and 108th in the nation in rushing, averaging only 93.3 yards per game. That has to change. The defense, however should be stout. Almost every key player is back from a unit that led the MAC in total defense and ranked second in the league in scoring defense. The defensive line and secondary should be strengths. Energetic coach Al Golden has changed the culture of this long-suffering program, which a lot of folks weren’t convinced was possible. Golden increased Temple’s win total from one game during his rookie season of 2006 to four last fall. The MAC isn’t always easy to get a handle on, but the Owls should be a factor. A division title and/or a bowl appearance might be a stretch, but if the Owls are playing meaningful games in November, then they would have at least taken another step. It is, after all, a process.

In the offseason, Al Golden became a legitimate candidate for the UCLA job, but he’s back for his third season on North Broad Street to take care of some unfinished business. He won’t stay here forever. He’s thinking winning records, bowl games and MAC titles. Simple as that. And he’s not thinking next season. This program took a necessary step a year ago. It’s looking to do even more — a lot more, despite a schedule that includes seven road games. A team loaded with youth and inexperience the past two seasons is now a veteran group that appears ready to be a factor in the MAC East race. 

Quarterbacks

Senior Adam DiMichele is a leader. Before going down in the eighth game with a broken leg, he completed 138-of-223 passes for 1,595 yards and 12 touchdowns. He can also make things happen with his legs. The Owls went 1–3 without him, scoring a total of 10 points in the three losses. DiMichele and the rest of the Owl offense will be adjusting to a new coordinator. Matt Rhule has taken over for George DeLeone, who left for a job with the Miami Dolphins.

Running backs

The Owls had trouble establishing a ground game last year. Jason Harper led the way with 586 yards on 163 carries, but he has been moved to receiver. Converted receiver Marquise Liverpool is now the No. 1 guy. He’ll have competition, from James Nixon and redshirt freshman Joe Jones, who missed the 2007 season with an injury.

Receivers

Senior Bruce Francis led the Owls in receptions (47) and yardage (731) and added six scores. Travis Shelton has speed aplenty but has been inconsistent. Dy’Onne Crudup had 39 catches for 376 yards and three TDs. Harper will have plenty of balls thrown his way. Michael Campbell and Delano Green saw action as true freshmen. Steve Maneri gives the Owls some decent options at tight end.

Offensive linemen

Center Alex Derenthal, the team’s Offensive MVP, has started 35 consecutive games. Derek Dennis started 10 times at right guard as a true freshman but was moved over to left tackle in the spring. Colin Madison is slated to start at left guard. On the opposite side, Jabari Ferguson and Andre Douglas, one of only seven Owls to start every game, will try to hold onto their spots. Among others doing some pushing are Devin Tyler at tackle and Lloyd Codada at guard.

Defensive linemen

The Owls led the MAC in total defense and the nation in red zone defense. And it all starts up front. Nosetackle Andre Neblett will be joined by Josh Williams, a highly rated prospect from junior college. End Leyon Azubuike is a team captain, playing next to tackle Terrance Knighton. Junior Galette had a team-best 7.5 sacks. Behind them there’s no shortage of quality depth, which hasn’t always been the case.

Linebackers

Still relatively young, this is an area that must show some improvement. But this group does at least have numbers going for it. In the middle, Alex Joseph had 66 tackles last season. On the outside, Amara Kamara was the only true freshman to start every game last fall. This unit needs to find an identity and could change shape early and often as the process unfolds.

Defensive backs

What used to be an annual weakness is now one of the Owls’ strengths. Strong safety Dominique Harris had a team-best 81 tackles along with three picks. Free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett was also the Special Teams MVP. Richard Sheppard, coming off an injury, figures to help. Daryl Robinson, a running back in 2007, has been moved over to defense and joins Jamal Schulters to man the corners. Some felt this was Robinson’s better position in high school.

Specialists

Kicking has always been a problem for Temple. And even though Jake Brownell made a 39-yard field goal to beat Northern Illinois, he was a rather ordinary 13-of-21, with a long of 41. Jeff Wathne returns as the punter after averaging 38 yards per try. The Owls did block some field goals and were among the national leaders in kickoff coverage. Shelton emerged in 2006 as a bona fide return threat but tailed off as a junior. If he does get into the open field, nobody’s going to catch him.

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