Temple University Athletics
2004 FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
7.1.04 | Football
"The players that we are counting on to improve this team are those that are already in school and have competed in spring practice," said Wallace. "Last year, we entered the season with a good number of players listed on our depth chart that did not arrive at Temple until the fall. We brought in 18 junior college transfers last season and probably took a step backwards in cohesiveness but at the same time increased the talent level of the team."
"We experienced a transition in the off-season," added Wallace. "Key players are now acclimated to their environment and ready to assume leadership roles. As such, I believe we have made great strides toward establishing the chemistry we need to play as a cohesive unit in 2004."
The 2004 schedule features six opponents that concluded their 2003 seasons by competing in bowl games. The Owls play 11 games in a 12-week span, including six home contests within the confines of Lincoln Financial Field. An average of 24,137 fans witnessed the Cherry & White in their inaugural season at the venue, a 21 percent increase from the prior year's average.
"As always, we have a very challenging schedule," said Wallace. "I think the Big East race is wide open, which provides Temple a great opportunity. My job as a head coach is to make these players understand that we have the talent to win ball games. If you look at the personnel - the size, strength and speed -- this team has the ability to win."
OFFENSE
Temple's spread offense set school records for passing first downs (135) and total plays (859) in 2003 under Offensive Coordinator Dave Brock. The Owls threw for 2,697 yards, second most in the program's annals. Much of the success can be attributed to the emergence of quarterback Walter Washington, who started the final four games after incumbent Mike McGann was sidelined by injury. Washington averaged 315 yards of total offense in the last three contests, all against nationally-ranked opponents. The Daytona Beach, Fla. native twice rushed for over 100 yards, becoming the first TU signal-caller to eclipse the rushing century mark, and set the Big East record for total plays (69) in a game while also tying the school record for rushing touchdowns (4) in the season finale at West Virginia. In 12 games (five starts) he totaled 1,844 yards of total offense (1,265 passing) and led the Cherry & White with 579 rushing yards.
Washington, fresh from his first spring practice, is cited as the "Best Athlete in the Big East" by Street & Smith's in its college football preview issue. In addition to working on his sprint passing in the spring, he also registered a 475-pound bench press in strength & conditioning testing.
"Having a quarterback that runs as well as Walter provides us a great dimension, especially given his size and strength," said Wallace. "It is almost like having 12 players because many defensive schemes do not account for the quarterback, especially in man coverage."
McGann has 26 career starts under his belt and ranks third all-time at Temple in career passing, totaling 4,333 yards on 778 attempts. Last season, the Havertown, Pa. native completed 123 of 235 passes for 1,405 yards and five touchdowns, starting seven of the eight games he played in.
The backfield features a proven performer and a promising newcomer in Umar Ferguson and Tim Brown, respectively. Ferguson played in all 12 games and earned two starts last season, gaining 319 yards on 69 carries (4.6 avg.) for four touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 174 yards and a score. Brown joined the team in the spring as a mid-year transfer from the City College of San Francisco, where he was a JC Grid-Wire First Team All-American and the California Community College Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. He is denoted as the Big East Newcomer of the Year by The Sporting News in its 2004 college football preview issue and is also cited by Street & Smith's on the publication's "Top JUCO's Moving On" first team.
"Umar proved that he is very versatile last fall with his ability to both run and catch," said Wallace. "Tim is one of those electrifying-type players with the ability to turn a negative play into a highlight reel."
Also in the mix at running back are redshirt freshman Mike Neal and junior Michael Billops. Neal, the cousin of former Temple tailback Makonnen Fenton, and Billops, a walk-on who previously attended Shippensburg University, both played well in the spring and should provide quality depth.
The receiving corps consists of two wide receivers, denoted as X and Z, and two slot receivers, called the A-back and Y, on the Owls' 12 position depth chart. The unit will be under the direction of a new coach in five-time NCAA Div. II Coach of the Year Willie Slater. The team must account for the loss of Zamir Cobb, Temple's all-time reception leader and a First Team All-Big East choice in 2003. Phil Goodman, a 6-3, 215-pound specimen who caught 47 passes for 678 yards and five touchdowns last year as a first-year junior, is poised to play a starring role. The Vallejo, Calif. native started all 12 games at the X position and caught eight aerials for 129 yards versus Cincinnati as three Owls (Cobb, Terrence Stubbs) surpassed the 100-yard receiving mark in the Queen City to record a conference first. Goodman is a Second Team All-Big East choice by Athlon Sports in its preview issue.
Buchie Ibeh, who played in 11 games and caught five passes for 73 yards as a first-year junior last year, is listed as the starter at Y-receiver. The 6-4, 215-pound native of East Orange, New Jersey set a program record with a 41.5-inch vertical jump in spring strength & conditioning testing.
"We have never had this much size at the receiver position," said Wallace. "It is definitely going to create problems for opposing defenses."
Competition on the outside will come from second-year junior Andre Mixon-Toland and senior Scott Pristas. Temple signed seven receivers to NLI's in February, including four junior college prospects that are scheduled to arrive in August.
The interior receiver positions return experience in senior Ikey Chuku and sophomore Jamel Harris. Chuku, who was granted an additional year of eligibility for 2004 after missing two seasons because of two knee reconstructions, made an inspirational comeback in 2003, starting nine games at Y-receiver en route to 20 receptions for 224 yards and a score. Harris played in the final nine games, starting two at a-back, and made seven receptions for 100 yards.
Junior Mike Holley, who played in all 12 games at cornerback in 2003 and started the first seven, was moved to slot receiver in the spring and excelled. He is one of two student-athletes who started on defense last year to move across the ball. Senior Christian Dunbar, who started 10 games at defensive end, made the move to tight end and also made a smooth transition. A native of Monrovia, Liberia, Dunbar set a program record with an 850-pound squat last fall. He is poised to assume a starting role with competition coming from senior Anthony Martinez. Martinez, who spent two years in the United States Army, played in the first three games last season, earning one start.
Temple tight ends have provided solid blocking over the past two seasons, but have combined to catch only five passes for 45 yards.
"Christian gives us something that we have not had in a long time and that is a vertical threat at tight end in the passing game," said Wallace.
The offensive line returns starters C.J. Blomvall, Chris Harris and John Gross. Blomvall, a native of Sweden who served one year in the Swedish Marine Corps, is poised to take over at center. He started all 12 games at guard as a first-year junior last year and averaged three pancake blocks per game while allowing just three sacks. Harris, who started the final 10 games at right tackle as a first year junior, returns at the position after seeing some practice time at guard in the spring. Harris surrendered only one sack last season. Gross, one of Temple's 10 Big East All-Academic honorees, was moved inside to left guard in the spring after starting all 12 games at left tackle as a sophomore. One of the strongest players in the league, Gross recorded a 500-pound bench press in strength and conditioning testing.
Also returning to the mix is sophomore Elliott Seifert. Seifert was poised to be the Owls' starting right tackle in 2003 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in the season opener at Penn State. He was moved to the left side in the spring and will now protect the quarterback's blind side. Junior Stephen Bell was cited as the team's most improved offensive player in the spring and exited drills atop the depth chart at right guard. Bell (6-6, 310), who tested a 485-pound bench press, has shed over 30 pounds since arriving at Temple last August.
While the rest of the offensive line prospects lack experience, they make up for it with size and potential. Junior Stan Primus (6-4, 315) and sophomore Leigh Denman (6-6, 300) will provide competition at guard. Junior Yohance Perry (6-5, 330) and sophomores Tariq Sanders (6-6, 295) and Larry Bonczar (6-7, 290) will compete for time at tackle. Depth at the center position comes courtesy of senior Frank McAndrew (6-3, 290), a former walk-on who boasts a 500-pound bench press, and mid-year junior college transfer Elijah Darby (6-2, 310). McAndrew received the team's first annual Mark Bresani Award in the spring for spirit and enthusiasm.
"The most encouraging thing about our offense is the quality and depth on our offensive line," said Wallace. It is the strongest group we have had since I have been at Temple. They offer size, strength, experience and worked extremely well with each other in the spring."
DEFENSE
Twenty-nine letterwinners, including 13 seniors, return on defense with the intention of revisiting the "Top 20" status the unit enjoyed under Assistant head coach Raymond Monica in both 2001 and 2002. Last season, the Owls led the Big East in opponent fourth down conversions (23.5 pct.) and placed third in turnover margin (+0.42).
In spring practice, the defense concentrated upon two primary objectives: becoming tougher against the run and elevating its aggressiveness tackling the ball.
The strength of the Temple defense looks to be the inside linebackers, with returning starters Rian "Goo" Wallace and Troy Bennett working the will and strong positions, respectively. Athlon Sports named the unit the best in the Big East in its preview. Both players earned preseason All-America accolades from Street & Smith's, as Wallace earned Third Team mention and Bennett received Honorable Mention status. Wallace was also cited by Athlon as a Third Team Preseason All-American.
Wallace, a junior from Pottstown, Pa., solidified himself as one of the nation's premier linebackers last season. He made148 tackles (97 solo) and 19.5 tackles-for-losses to earn CollegeFootballNews.com Second Team All-America and Second Team All-Big East honors. Wallace ranked sixth nationally in total tackles and 11th in TFLs, posting double-digit tackle totals in 10 games. He will be the top returning tackler in the Big East Conference. Bennett hails from Paulsboro, N.J. and is expected to complete the necessary coursework over the summer to earn an additional season of eligibility in 2004. Bennett and Wallace have played in 35 and 24 consecutive games, respectively.
"Rian was all over the field for us last year," said Wallace. "It would be scary to think where we would have been defensively without him. He has things that cannot be coached - size, speed and instincts. He just needs to be a little more disciplined in man coverage. Rian plays with passion and is definitely a leader on this defense."
Competition at inside linebacker will be provided by sophomores Ryan Gore and Vince Yasenchak, junior Manual Tapia and senior Mark Miller, one of the Owls' top special team performers. Gore, a Philadelphia native and strong special team player himself, was moved to linebacker from safety at last season's midpoint. He was a named to the Big East All-Rookie Team as a defensive back by The Sporting News. Tapia, who has played in 18 career games (one start), also worked at defensive end in the spring.
The defensive line returns two starters from last season in senior nose tackle Antwon Burton and junior defensive end Mike Mendenhall. Burton (6-3, 315) is an All-Big East Conference candidate after improving his conditioning and shedding over 40 pounds since arriving in Owl Country last August. He tested a 540-pound bench press last fall and has flourished under new defensive line coach and former NFL nose tackle Rubin Carter. Burton has surprisingly quick feet for his size and is a Second Team Preseason All-Big East choice by Athlon Sports. Mendenhall, a former teammate of Bennett at nearby Paulsboro (N.J.) High School, started eight of nine games last season. He suffered a leg injury the final week of spring practice. Mendenhall is cited as Third Team Preseason All-Big East by Athlon.
"We have made a tremendous amount of improvement to our defensive front and it starts with Burton," said Wallace. "The gains he has made in quickness and endurance because of his improved conditioning should pay big dividends. Mendenhall is a solid player. He is coming off an injury but we expect him to be in ready for fall camp."
Juniors Jason Johnson and Adam Fichter also revisit the defensive front after starting four contests at defensive end and tackle, respectively in 2003. Johnson played in eight games before being sidelined by a shoulder injury. In total, six players with starting experience return to the defensive line, including junior Rodney Wormley, who missed the entire 2003 campaign with a knee injury after starting nine games at defensive end as a redshirt freshman in 2002. Wormley (6-4, 240) has added 15-pounds of muscle training to rehabilitate the injury.
"Fichter had his best spring, not only on the field but in the classroom," said Wallace.
An intriguing defensive line prospect is senior Eric Carpenter, who switched to defensive tackle last season after making 12 career starts at tight end. Carpenter has added weight and looked very promising in the spring. He is joined by senior Ismael Seals, mid-year junior college transfer Neil Dickson and freshman early enrollee Dwavon Battle as players competing for playing time on the interior. At defensive end, seniors John Adams, a former walk-on and Big East All-Academic selection and Anthony DeGannes will vie for time with sophomore David Fatherly.
Temple's outside safeties, consisting of the owl and strong positions, return starting seniors Lawrence Wade and Sadeke Konte. Although the duo will be listed at different positions from last season, neither has changed, as the designations owl safety and strong safety have been switched. Wade, an All-Big East candidate and former running back, started all 12 games in 2003, making 73 tackles (50 solo), six TFLs, two sacks and an interception. He is a Third team Preseason All-Big East selection by Athlon Sports. Konte started all 12 contests as a first-year junior and contributed 51 stops (35 solo), five TFLs, four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Justin Johnson, who played in three games before being sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury in practice, and Bobby Fulmore are two second-year juniors expected to press for starting roles at outside safety. Seniors Joel Gray and Alex McClean are also in the mix and will contribute on special teams.
"Outside safety is one of the strengths of this team due to the experience we have in that area," said Wallace. "Wade and Konte are both very athletic. A healthy Justin Johnson would further solidify what is already a very promising unit."
The secondary consists of the cornerbacks and free safety. The Owls entered spring practice with two returning starters at cornerback. The team exited spring drills searching for opening day replacements. Junior Ray Lamb suffered a knee injury in the spring game and his return for the 2004 campaign is questionable. Lamb arrived in Owl Country with three years to play three seasons. As such, an in-season return is possible. Lamb started the final six games last season. Pete McBride, who started the final five games of the 2003 campaign and made an interception in each of the final four contests, did not meet eligibility requirements.
Junior Jonathan McPhee and mid-year junior college transfer Jermaine Hargraves exited spring drills atop the depth chart at left and right cornerback, respectively. McPhee has played in 23 career games and was one of seven players recognized by Wallace at the Cherry & White Game for having an outstanding spring season. Fourth-year junior Delonne Wilbourn, who played in the first two games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury, senior DeMarco Dodson and junior Andrew Smith are also in the mix.
"The biggest concern on defense is the secondary with the losses of Lamb and McBride," said Wallace. "McPhee had a great spring and we really liked the way Hargraves competed."
The free safety position should offer spirited competition in preseason camp between second-year junior Matt Douglas and senior Jamil Porter. Douglas (6-2, 200) had a fine spring and brings good size and aggressiveness to the position. Porter was moved to the defensive backfield in the spring after playing in all 12 games (one start) at running back and generating 172 yards on 45 attempts (3.8 avg.) for three scores in 2003. He also caught 11 passes for 77 yards. Sophomore Durrel Davis, who saw action in nine games as a true freshman, will also have an opportunity.
"I feel really good about free safety," said Wallace. "Jamil would offer us the best speed we have ever had at the position. He has a lot to learn in a short period of time but he can do it."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Temple's special teams' was a tale of two applications in 2003 as the kicking game struggled while return teams and coverage units flourished. The Owls led the conference in kickoff coverage, allowing just 13.1 yards per return, five yards better than the league's second ranked team in the category. Temple's return units also fared well, averaging 21.5 yards on kickoff returns and 10.8 yards on punt returns.
In the kicking department, the Owls have two mid-year junior college transfers that earned All-America mention from JC Grid-Wire, kicker Ryan Lux and punter Jake Hendy. Lux, a First Team All-American, made 21 of 29 FGAs with a long of 52 yards at Palomar College. He will compete with junior Roger Price, who attempted one field goal (0-1) and two extra points (1-2) last season. Junior Mike McLaughlin, who also serves as the teams' holder, returns after averaging 39.9 yards on 51 punts with a long of 61 yards. He also dropped 12 punts inside the 20 and had seven touchbacks with five fair catches.
"We have a battle at punter," said Wallace. "Mike has done a good job at times and improved this spring. Jake has a very strong leg but needs to be more consistent. It is definitely an 'or' situation on the depth chart entering camp."
"Ryan has a strong leg and I like what I saw from him in the spring," added Wallace. "We will keep the competition open at kicker entering camp, however."
The Owls must account for the loss of Joey Lippo at long snapper. Carpenter performed the duty in the spring with junior college signee Jacob Simon scheduled to arrive for fall camp.
"We are counting on Simon coming in and being our long snapper," said Wallace. "He was favorably compared to Lippo, who was from the same junior college and did a great job for us the past two seasons. If Simon does not perform to our expectations, I believe Carpenter will do an admirable job."
Temple's kickoff return unit is in good hands with Porter and Wade back to assume the responsibilities. Porter made his mark on kickoffs last season, ranking 24th nationally with a 25.45 avg. on 22 returns. It marked the third straight season Temple had a player ranked among the top 25 in the category, following Makonnen Fenton, who ranked ninth and 21st, respectively, in 2002 and 2001. Wade returned five kickoffs for 124 yards (24.8 avg.) in 2003.
Despite the loss of Cobb, who handled all of the team's 21 punt returns (10.8 avg.) in 2003, punt return looks to be a strength with Brown, Holley, Goodman and Porter all competing for the opportunity.
"This is the first time in years that we have had numerous possibilities at punt returner," said Wallace. "Timmy catches the ball extremely well and is an elusive runner. Mike is skilled in the area, while Phil has great hands and offers impressive size for a return man. Jamil's ability to receive the ball also makes him a strong candidate."
