Temple University Athletics
FOOTBALL PRACTICE REPORT: OWLS TO HOLD FIVE MORE PRACTICES BEFORE ANNUAL CHERRY & WHITE GAME ON APRIL 24
4.16.04 | Football
Temple is scheduled to hold five practices before the annual intrasquad contest. The Owls will conduct contact sessions today (Friday, April 16) at 4:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:15 (scrimmage), Monday at 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. before a walk-thru in shorts and helmets on Friday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m.
"I have been pleased with the progress we have made in practice thus far," said Head Coach Bobby Wallace. "We have been fairly fortunate as far as injuries have been concerned. Defensively, I believe we have made positive strides. Up front, and at the corner positions, we are much further along then we were at the same point last season. On the other side of the ball, the offensive line looks particularly strong."
The offensive line has undergone some alterations since the onset of spring practice. Junior John Gross, who started all 12 games at LT in 2003, has been moved to LG. Sophomore Elliott Seifert, who was poised to start at RT, will play the LT position. Senior Chris Harris, who started the final 10 games at RT last season, but played RG initially this spring, has returned to RT. Senior C C.J. Blomvall, who started all 12 games at LG in 2003, and junior RG Stephen Bell comprise the rest of the Cherry & White starting front five.
"These movements have made us stronger on the offensive line for a number of reasons" said Wallace. "Bell is more comfortable in a right-handed stance and Seifert's push-off has been altered and now lends itself better to the left side. Gross is a more physical presence inside and Harris is more of a finesse player at RT."
One of the most intriguing position battles this spring has been between junior Umar Ferguson and mid-year junior college transfer Tim Brown at RB. After a somewhat slow start, Ferguson has picked-up his performance in recent weeks as Brown has applied steady pressure in pursuit of a starting role. Whatever the outcome, the competition will definitely benefit what looks to be a very productive backfield.
"Very seldom does the first guy ever tackle him," said Wallace when asked to comment on Brown. "I have been very impressed with him thus far. I like his work ethic and enthusiasm for the game. He is one of those types that's always tugging at your shirt wanting to go in the game. He wants to play. I think he's going to make a big impact on this team."
On the defensive side of the ball, one of the more noticeable perfomers has been senior DT Antwon Burton. Burton, who tested a team-best 525-pound bench press in strength & conditioning testing, has improved his conditioning and could prove a powerful force on the interior.
"Antwon has lost around 50 pounds and is running very well," said Wallace. "He has All-Big East caliber talent. Coach Rubin Carter is doing a great job working with him and we expect big things from Antwon this season."
Other defensive players cited by Wallace as having made great strides from last fall are junior defensive backs Ray Lamb and Jonathan McPhee. Lamb started the final six games of the 2003 campaign at RCB as a first-year sophomore. McPhee has played in 23 games in his first two seasons on North Broad Street. Lamb and McPhee tested 38.5-inch and 37.5-inch vertical jumps, respectively, in strength & conditioning testing. The team's top vertical leap belongs to junior WR Buchie, who at 6-4, 215-pounds jumped a program-record 41.5 inches.
SPRING NOTES: As anticipated, senior WR Ikey Chuku was granted a sixth season of eligibility due to medical hardship ... Chuku, who has already earned an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and political science, made an inspirational comeback in 2003 , starting nine games after missing the prior two seasons with knee injuries ... Defensive Coordinator Raymond Monica handed-out black jerseys to five players this past week ... Senior LB Troy Bennett, junior DE Mike Mendenhall, Burton, Lamb and McPhee all will don the darkness as proven performers ... Senior TE Christian Dunbar (6-2, 235) tied the program record with an 805-pound squat in spring strength & conditioning testing.
