Temple takes to the field today
The Owls start camp with 53 lettermen, 22 freshmen and expectations.
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Coming off a 4-8 finish that included a 4-4 mark in its first season as a full member of the Mid-American Conference, the Temple football team will begin preparations for season three under coach Al Golden today at Edberg-Olson Hall.
Unlike the last two seasons, when Golden fielded the youngest teams in the nation, the Owls enter preseason camp with only fullback Josh Bundy gone among the starters from a year ago, and 53 lettermen. On Friday, a highly regarded 22-player freshman class reported for duty.
Temple opens up on Aug. 29 at Army, which defeated the Owls, 37-21, last Sept. 29.
"The biggest difference is that the team is intact," said Golden, whose squad showed marked improvement after going 1-11 in his first season. "We had more players out for the spring than we had on the team last fall. We won't be relying on freshmen as much."
With star quarterback Adam DiMichele back after missing the last four games of the 2007 season due to a broken leg, Golden said his priorities this summer are identifying a tailback to carry the load, and testing his offensive line.
DiMichele, who completed 138 of 223 passes last season for 1,595 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, is a playmaker and a leader who has more value to the Owls than his statistics show. DiMichele was hurt on Oct. 20 when he was sacked during a 24-17 victory over Miami of Ohio.
During spring drills, DiMichele was limited to seven-on-seven drills, but did everything else with his teammates except run. In one of his individual workouts, DiMichele would sit in a chair with his injured leg extended and make throws.
"It's eye-opening to get back to running, and to get back in the pocket," said the senior from McKees Rocks, Pa.
"I just continued to throw. My arm is probably stronger than it's been, and my timing is down."
"Adam is doing great, and running well," Golden said. "He's shown he's ready at this point."
In the backfield, redshirt freshman Joe Jones and converted wide receiver Marquise Liverpool are vying for the starting job at tailback.
Last fall, a knee injury ended the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Jones' freshman season before it got started.
The 5-11, 190-pound Liverpool saw action in all 12 games as a true freshman.
Last year's starter at tailback, Jason Harper (586 yards on 163 carries, five touchdowns), has been moved to wide receiver.
"Our main focus is to find a tailback who wants to carry the ball 20 times a game, and who separates himself from the group," Golden said. "And on the offensive line, are we tough enough? Are we rugged enough? Are we united on the offensive line?"
Defensively, Temple has everybody back after leading the MAC in five statistical categories, including total defense. The Owls' red-zone defense was tops in the nation.
"I think we're anxious, but in a good way," defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. "We want to be the No. 1 scoring defense in the conference, and make an impact on special teams. We know what we can do. We have high expectations."
Temple was picked to finish fifth in the seven-team East Division of the MAC after going into last November with the division title still within reach.
"The bottom line is, I like the way the team in coming, and we need to stay hungry like every other team in the league," Golden said about his team's prospects. "It's going to depend on how we practice as a team. I believe as we progress, the product will take care of itself. To get the outcome we want, we have to focus on execution."
