Temple University Athletics
TEMPLE FOOTBALL TO HOLD FIRST PRESEASON PRACTICE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
8.5.03 | Football
Wallace begins his sixth season facing eight opponents on the schedule that played in bowl games last year. He undertakes this task with 39 returning letterwinners on the roster, 16 on offense, 20 on defense and three on special teams. Six starters are back on offense while four remain from a defense that concluded the 2002 campaign as the leading rushing defense in the Big East, allowing just 108.3 yards per game to place 15th nationally. The Owls also ranked No. 18 in the country in total defense, permitting just 315.67 yards per contest. Temple is one of eight Division I-A teams to rank in the top 20 nationally in total defense in 2001 (19th) and 2002.
"Our goal is the same that it has been every year and that is to go to a bowl game," said Wallace. "We were close to that last year even though we had four victories. The team was very close to winning six games. Had we been able to accomplish that, I believe we would have gone to a bowl. That is our goal again this year, to have a winning season and go to a bowl game."
In total, Temple returns 20 players with starting experience in 2003, nine on offense and 11 on defense. The Owls lost 25 lettermen, including 12 offensive players, 12 defenders and one specialist. The 25 former letterwinners departed Owl Country with a combined total of 405 starting assignments.
"Despite losing a lot of seniors, the talent level of this football team is better than ever," said Wallace. "We will, however, be inexperienced. We have to rely on the handful of experienced players to provide us great leadership. So far, these guys have done a great job. As a team, you can't worry about players that you have lost, they're gone. We have to develop a new team with its own identity."
After beginning its 105th season of collegiate football at Big Ten powerhouse Penn State, Temple hosts city rival Villanova on Saturday, September 6. The Owls then travel to Conference USA members Cincinnati (Sept. 20) and Louisville (Sept. 27) before landing in Murfreesboro, Tenn. to take on the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (Oct. 4).
Four of Temple's seven Big East Conference games will take place in the City of Brotherly Love. The Owls host Boston College (Oct. 11), Rutgers (Oct. 25), Virginia Tech (Nov. 15) and Pittsburgh (Nov. 22). Temple takes flight for three league contests, traveling to Miami (Oct. 18), Syracuse (Nov. 8) and West Virginia (Nov. 29).
