Temple University Athletics
Temple Hosts Villanova in Third Annual Mayor's Cup
8.29.11 | Football
Kickoff Set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 1 at Lincoln Financial Field
Game Notes vs. Villanova
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Players (Morkeith Brown & Kevin Kroboth)
THIS WEEK
Temple opens its 113th season of football with the third annual Mayor's Cup game, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, against Villanova on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will participate in the coin toss. Mayor Nutter will also present the Mayor's Cup Trophy to the winning team following the contest.
ESPN3 will broadcast the game live over the internet with Scott Graham calling the action and Chuck Cecil providing color commentary. The Owls' radio broadcast will air oh WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, the 2011 Temple squad returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Villanova, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision Colonial Athletic Association, is under the tutelege of 32nd-year coach Andy Talley. Ranked No. 14 nationally in the preseason FCS poll, the Wildcats return nine starters to their multiple offense and 3-5-3 defense.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA CONNECTIONS
As the defensive coordinator at New Hampshire, TU inside linebackers coach Sean McGowan faced Villanova in the 2009 FCS first round (46-7), the year the Wildcats won the national championship.
Juniors PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) and Villanova DB Ronnie Atkins are former teammates at North Penn HS.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA— THE SERIES
Thursday's game marks the 32nd meeting between the Owls and the Wildcats since 1908, renewing a 102-year old cross-town rivalry. The game is the third in a series of four Mayor's Cup games. The teams are also slated to play again in 2012. The Wildcats hold a 16-13-2 series advantage.
After the teams' first meeting in 1908 (a 12-0 Villanova win at an unknown site), the teams did not meet again until 1928. TU and VU played 16 consecutive seasons from 1928 to 1943. After a 27-year hiatus, the schools met again in 1970 and proceeded to play every season thereafter until 1980. The Owls won seven of the prior eight meetings from 1972-79.
In Temple's first-ever home game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 6, 2003, Villanova claimed a wild 23-20 double overtime win. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Wildcats converted two field goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime before 30,090 fans. Both squads made touchdowns in their first overtime drives. Temple missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. VU then won on a 37-yard field goal.
In the 2009 season opener, Villanova captured a 27-24 win over Temple after a fourth-quarter comeback to win the inaugural Mayor's Cup. The 27,759 fans that showed up to watch the city football clash were treated to a thrilling comeback. A fourth-quarter rally capped off by a 32-yard field goal by Villanova's Nick Yako as time expired.
Last fall, sophomore PK Brandon McManus connected on his career-high fourth field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with three seconds remaining, and Justin Gildea took a Villanova forward lateral into the end zone to cap a Temple 31-24 come-from-behind win in the 2010 Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. The crowd of 32,193, the second largest to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field, was treated to a true nail-biter as the lead changed hands twice in the final two minutes.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Villanova: 13-16-2
Temple in games at Temple: 7-13-2
Temple in games at Villanova: 6-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-2
First meeting in series: 1908 at unknown stadium,L, 0-12
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field, W, 31-24
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Zachary Dixon, 20-119, 3 TDs (1978)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 19-28-317, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Gerald Lucear, 8-175, 3 TDs (1979)
Villanova Wildcats
Rushing: Joseph Pezelski, 8-147 (1942)
Passing: Drew Gordon, 24-42-395, 3 TDs (1970)
Receiving: Mike Siani, 9-194, 3 TDs (1970)
Year Site Result Temple Coach VU Coach
1908 unknown L, 0-12 Dr. Frank White Fred Crolius
1928 Franklin Field T, 0-0 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1929 Temple Stadium L, 0-15 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1930 Municiple Stadium L, 7-8 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1931 Temple Stadium W, 13-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1932 Temple Stadium L, 0-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1933 Temple Stadium L, 0-24 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1934 Temple Stadium W, 22-0 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1935 Temple Stadium L, 14-21 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1936 Temple Stadium W, 6-0 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1937 Temple Stadium L, 0-33 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1938 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1939 Temple Stadium L, 6-12 Fred Swan Maurice Smith
1940 Temple Stadium W, 28-0 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-13 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1942 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1943 Temple Stadium L, 7-34 Ray Morrison Jordan Olivar
1970 Temple Stadium L, 26-31 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1971 Temple Stadium T, 13-13 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1972 Villanova Stadium W, 12-10 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1973 Villanova Stadium W, 34-0 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1974 (at) Veterans Stadium W, 17-7 Wayne Hardin James Weaver
1975 (at) Veterans Stadium W, 41-3 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 7-24 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1977 Villanova Stadium W, 28-15 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1978 Veterans Stadium W, 27-17 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1979 Villanova Stadium W, 42-10 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1980 Villanova Stadium L, 7-50 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
2003 Lincoln Financial Field L, 20-23 (2ot) Bobby Wallace Andy Talley
2009 Lincoln Financial Field L, 24-27 Al Golden Andy Talley
2010 Lincoln Financial Field W, 31-24 Al Golden Andy Talley
WATCH THIS
Several Owls have earned national recognition with selection to prestigious preseason watch lists. Temple senior DE Adrian Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa.) is one of 87 players named to the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player, as well as a candidate for the 2011 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is one of 34 players named to the 2011 John Mackey Award Watch List, awarded annually to the most outstanding tight end in FBS college football. Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is one of 51 players from 40 universities named to the 2011 Collegiate Butkus Award Watch List as one of the best linebackers in the country.
A two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and the MAC's 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Robinson started all 12 games at right end in 2010. He had 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. The three-year starter is also a 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele and 2011 CDS preseason FBS Honorable Mention All-American.
A 2010 first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and ECAC All-Star, Rodriguez played in 11 games with nine starts last fall. He was the top tight end with 247 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions. The two-year starter is also a 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele and preseason Tight End of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards.
Also a preseason All-MAC honoree, Whitehead played in all 12 games with eight starts at outside linebacker last fall. He finished sixth on defense with 56 tackles, including 7.5 TFL. Whitehead was named the team's recipient of the 2011 Mark Bresani Award for spirit and enthusiasm, presented at the conclusion of spring drills.
PRESEASON HONORS
Phil Steele has honored eight Temple football players as members of his 2011 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams.
Named to the All-MAC first team were junior RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.), senior DE Adrian Robinson, and senior TE Evan Rodriguez. Earning third team recognition were junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.), junior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.), and senior OL John Palumbo (Lyndhurst, N.J.). Fourth team All-MAC honorees included senior LB Tahir Whitehead.
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD GOES GREEN
Temple's home field— Lincoln Financial Field— will be the greenest stadium in the world this fall. The Philadelphia Eagles announced last fall that they plan to power the stadium with a combination of onsite wind, solar, and dual-fuel generated electricity, making it the world's first major sports stadium to convert to self-generated renewable energy.
Over the next year, approximately $25 million will be invested to build the system, saving the Eagles an estimated $60 million in energy costs. Excess energy will be sold back to the local electric grid.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Temple loves its home stadium— Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls won a school record 10 consecutive home games at the Linc [from 9/26/09 to 11/16/10]. The 10-game win streak, the longest since the stadium opened in 2003, tied the longest home win streak in school history of 10 games from the 1972-74 seasons at Temple and Veterans Stadiums.
NEW ADDITIONS
Strolling the sidelines this fall is a new coaching staff. Led by first-year head coach Steve Addazio, the Owls' new mentors boast youth and successful experience. With 68 bowl appearances among them, their average age on opening night (Sept. 1) will be 37.4 years. All of the Owl coaches are former college football players. [complete staff list is on page 22]
KOMEN NAMES TEMPLE FOOTBALL MVP
The Temple University football team was honored by the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in August.
Represented at the Volunteer Thank-You Party by Director of Operations Ed Foley, the team received a plaque as the 2011 Most Valuable Players.
The Owls, who log 1,000 hours of community service each spring, once again helped with the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure on May 8. More than 1,000 Komen Philadelphia Affiliate volunteers helped raise $3.3 million during the 21st Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® season.
Temple football has received recognition through the years for its community service efforts. The Owls claimed back-to-back T.E.A.M. Awards, an acronym standing for Temple's Exceptional Acts for Mankind, for their exceptional community service efforts in 2009 and 2010. The team also received the 2009 Robert P. Levy Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Philadelphia Sports Congress.
PIERCE, McMANUS RACE UP THE TOP 10
Juniors PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) and RB Bernard Pierce moved into the Top 10 on the career chart for scoring in 2010. McManus stands No. 5 with 166 points, while Pierce is No. 6 with 162 points. Former RB Paul Palmer (1983-87) holds the record with 264 career points scored.
OLDER, WISER OWLS
During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Temple football fielded the youngest team in the nation. In 2007 alone, the Owls played 25 freshmen, including the nation's most true freshmen (20) and the nation's most freshman starters (12).
In 2010, Temple utilized just five true freshmen— LB Olaniyi Adewole (Drexel Hill, Pa.), LB Wyatt Benson (Philadelphia, Pa.), DB Tomas Cabrera (Hanover, Pa.), DE Sean Daniels (Blackwood, N.J.), and WR Deon Miller (Highland Springs, Va.). An additional 15 redshirt freshmen also saw game action, including DE Shahid Paulhill (Philadelphia, Pa.) who was a member of the starting line-up.
GEORGE WASHINGTON CONNECTION
Three high school teammates reunite on the Owl roster. Hailing from Philadelphia's George Washington HS are freshman WR Brandon Chudnoff, freshman CB Daquan Cooper, and sophomore QB Clinton Granger. The squad won three consecutive Public League championships.
OLD MAN RIVER
Senior DE Morkeith Brown (Harrisburg, Pa.) is the oldest Owl on this year's roster. The 6-6, 260-lb. defender is 26 years old. Following graduation from Central Dauphin HS in 2003, Brown enlisted in the Army. He enrolled at Lackawanna College for one semester (spring 2007) prior to enrolling at Temple.
GRADUATION HONORS
Four Owls already received their undergraduate degrees from Temple University in May. TE Matt Balasavage (communications), DE Morkeith Brown (criminal justice), OL Derek Dennis (broadcast journalism), OL John Palumbo (criminal justice), and OL Jeremy Schonbrunner (human resource management) are competing as fifth-year seniors.
ARE YOU RELATED TO . . . ?????
Several Temple Owls have famous relatives. Freshman WR Hassan Dixon is the younger brother of former TU standout Raheem Brock who currently plays DE for the Seattle Seahawks.
Football runs in the family for freshman RB Spencer Reid. The son of Philadelphia Eagles' coach Andy Reid, his brother Britt is a senior and a student assistant coach with the Temple football team.
NFL CONNECTIONS
• Senior OL Derek Dennis' third cousin is Dexter Coakley who was a three-time Pro Bowl honoree, playing 10 NFL seasons at LB for Dallas and St. Louis
• Freshman WR Hassan Dixon is the younger brother of former TU standout Raheem Brock who currently plays DE for the Seattle Seahawks.
• Freshman DB Chris Hutton's maternal uncle Steve Israel was a second round Draft pick and played in the NFL for 10 seasons. Uncle Tim Israel was a wide receiver and ran track at Temple (1991-95).
• Freshman RB Spencer Reid is the son of Philadelphia Eagles' coach Andy Reid.
• Freshman LB Nate Smith's brother is L.J. Smith,a free agent TE who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round in 2003 and played there for six seasons.
• Sophomore DE Dan Van Norton's cousin is Woodie Pippens who played RB for the Kansas City Chiefs (1987).
• Junior DE John Youboty is the younger brother of Ashton Youboty who plays CB for the Buffalo Bills.
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Seven of Temple's 2011 opponents— Villanova (FCS semifinal), Penn?State (Outback Bowl), Maryland (Military Bowl), Toledo (Little Caesar's Bowl), Ohio (R+L Carriers Bowl), Miami (GoDaddy.com Bowl), and Army (Armed Forces Bowl)— participated in postseason play.
• Since joining the MAC?in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 13-3.
• “I am honored. I am humbled to be standing here as the head football coach at Temple University. I will give everything I have to make Philadelphia and the University community proud.” — Steve Addazio during his first press conference, 12/23/10
UP NEXT
Temple travels to Akron on Sept. 10 for the MAC opener for both teams. ESPN3 will televise the game, beginning at 6 p.m. from InfoCision Stadium.
Press Conference Video:
Addazio, part I
part II
part III
Players (Morkeith Brown & Kevin Kroboth)
THIS WEEK
Temple opens its 113th season of football with the third annual Mayor's Cup game, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, against Villanova on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter will participate in the coin toss. Mayor Nutter will also present the Mayor's Cup Trophy to the winning team following the contest.
ESPN3 will broadcast the game live over the internet with Scott Graham calling the action and Chuck Cecil providing color commentary. The Owls' radio broadcast will air oh WPHT 1210 AM with Harry Donahue calling the play-by-play and Steve Joachim providing color analysis.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, the 2011 Temple squad returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls utilize a multiple offense and a 4-3 defense.
Villanova, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision Colonial Athletic Association, is under the tutelege of 32nd-year coach Andy Talley. Ranked No. 14 nationally in the preseason FCS poll, the Wildcats return nine starters to their multiple offense and 3-5-3 defense.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA CONNECTIONS
As the defensive coordinator at New Hampshire, TU inside linebackers coach Sean McGowan faced Villanova in the 2009 FCS first round (46-7), the year the Wildcats won the national championship.
Juniors PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) and Villanova DB Ronnie Atkins are former teammates at North Penn HS.
TEMPLE-VILLANOVA— THE SERIES
Thursday's game marks the 32nd meeting between the Owls and the Wildcats since 1908, renewing a 102-year old cross-town rivalry. The game is the third in a series of four Mayor's Cup games. The teams are also slated to play again in 2012. The Wildcats hold a 16-13-2 series advantage.
After the teams' first meeting in 1908 (a 12-0 Villanova win at an unknown site), the teams did not meet again until 1928. TU and VU played 16 consecutive seasons from 1928 to 1943. After a 27-year hiatus, the schools met again in 1970 and proceeded to play every season thereafter until 1980. The Owls won seven of the prior eight meetings from 1972-79.
In Temple's first-ever home game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 6, 2003, Villanova claimed a wild 23-20 double overtime win. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Wildcats converted two field goals in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime before 30,090 fans. Both squads made touchdowns in their first overtime drives. Temple missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. VU then won on a 37-yard field goal.
In the 2009 season opener, Villanova captured a 27-24 win over Temple after a fourth-quarter comeback to win the inaugural Mayor's Cup. The 27,759 fans that showed up to watch the city football clash were treated to a thrilling comeback. A fourth-quarter rally capped off by a 32-yard field goal by Villanova's Nick Yako as time expired.
Last fall, sophomore PK Brandon McManus connected on his career-high fourth field goal of the game, a 43-yarder with three seconds remaining, and Justin Gildea took a Villanova forward lateral into the end zone to cap a Temple 31-24 come-from-behind win in the 2010 Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field. The crowd of 32,193, the second largest to watch a Temple game at Lincoln Financial Field, was treated to a true nail-biter as the lead changed hands twice in the final two minutes.
SERIES INFORMATION
Temple all-time vs. Villanova: 13-16-2
Temple in games at Temple: 7-13-2
Temple in games at Villanova: 6-1
Temple in games at a neutral site: 0-2
First meeting in series: 1908 at unknown stadium,L, 0-12
Last meeting in series: 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field, W, 31-24
SERIES HIGHS
Temple Owls
Rushing: Zachary Dixon, 20-119, 3 TDs (1978)
Passing: Vaughn Charlton, 19-28-317, 2 TDs (2009)
Receiving: Gerald Lucear, 8-175, 3 TDs (1979)
Villanova Wildcats
Rushing: Joseph Pezelski, 8-147 (1942)
Passing: Drew Gordon, 24-42-395, 3 TDs (1970)
Receiving: Mike Siani, 9-194, 3 TDs (1970)
Year Site Result Temple Coach VU Coach
1908 unknown L, 0-12 Dr. Frank White Fred Crolius
1928 Franklin Field T, 0-0 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1929 Temple Stadium L, 0-15 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1930 Municiple Stadium L, 7-8 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1931 Temple Stadium W, 13-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1932 Temple Stadium L, 0-7 Henry Miller Harry Stuhldreher
1933 Temple Stadium L, 0-24 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1934 Temple Stadium W, 22-0 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1935 Temple Stadium L, 14-21 Pop Warner Harry Stuhldreher
1936 Temple Stadium W, 6-0 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1937 Temple Stadium L, 0-33 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1938 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Pop Warner Maurice Smith
1939 Temple Stadium L, 6-12 Fred Swan Maurice Smith
1940 Temple Stadium W, 28-0 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1941 Temple Stadium W, 14-13 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1942 Temple Stadium L, 7-20 Ray Morrison Maurice Smith
1943 Temple Stadium L, 7-34 Ray Morrison Jordan Olivar
1970 Temple Stadium L, 26-31 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1971 Temple Stadium T, 13-13 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1972 Villanova Stadium W, 12-10 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1973 Villanova Stadium W, 34-0 Wayne Hardin Louis Ferry
1974 (at) Veterans Stadium W, 17-7 Wayne Hardin James Weaver
1975 (at) Veterans Stadium W, 41-3 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1976 Veterans Stadium L, 7-24 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1977 Villanova Stadium W, 28-15 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1978 Veterans Stadium W, 27-17 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1979 Villanova Stadium W, 42-10 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
1980 Villanova Stadium L, 7-50 Wayne Hardin Richard Bedesem
2003 Lincoln Financial Field L, 20-23 (2ot) Bobby Wallace Andy Talley
2009 Lincoln Financial Field L, 24-27 Al Golden Andy Talley
2010 Lincoln Financial Field W, 31-24 Al Golden Andy Talley
WATCH THIS
Several Owls have earned national recognition with selection to prestigious preseason watch lists. Temple senior DE Adrian Robinson (Harrisburg, Pa.) is one of 87 players named to the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player, as well as a candidate for the 2011 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. Senior TE Evan Rodriguez (North Bergen, N.J.) is one of 34 players named to the 2011 John Mackey Award Watch List, awarded annually to the most outstanding tight end in FBS college football. Senior LB Tahir Whitehead (Newark, N.J.) is one of 51 players from 40 universities named to the 2011 Collegiate Butkus Award Watch List as one of the best linebackers in the country.
A two-time first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and the MAC's 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, Robinson started all 12 games at right end in 2010. He had 38 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two blocked kicks. The three-year starter is also a 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele and 2011 CDS preseason FBS Honorable Mention All-American.
A 2010 first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection and ECAC All-Star, Rodriguez played in 11 games with nine starts last fall. He was the top tight end with 247 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions. The two-year starter is also a 2011 preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Phil Steele and preseason Tight End of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards.
Also a preseason All-MAC honoree, Whitehead played in all 12 games with eight starts at outside linebacker last fall. He finished sixth on defense with 56 tackles, including 7.5 TFL. Whitehead was named the team's recipient of the 2011 Mark Bresani Award for spirit and enthusiasm, presented at the conclusion of spring drills.
PRESEASON HONORS
Phil Steele has honored eight Temple football players as members of his 2011 preseason All-Mid-American Conference teams.
Named to the All-MAC first team were junior RB Bernard Pierce (Ardmore, Pa.), senior DE Adrian Robinson, and senior TE Evan Rodriguez. Earning third team recognition were junior RB Matt Brown (Baltimore, Md.), junior PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.), and senior OL John Palumbo (Lyndhurst, N.J.). Fourth team All-MAC honorees included senior LB Tahir Whitehead.
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD GOES GREEN
Temple's home field— Lincoln Financial Field— will be the greenest stadium in the world this fall. The Philadelphia Eagles announced last fall that they plan to power the stadium with a combination of onsite wind, solar, and dual-fuel generated electricity, making it the world's first major sports stadium to convert to self-generated renewable energy.
Over the next year, approximately $25 million will be invested to build the system, saving the Eagles an estimated $60 million in energy costs. Excess energy will be sold back to the local electric grid.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Temple loves its home stadium— Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls won a school record 10 consecutive home games at the Linc [from 9/26/09 to 11/16/10]. The 10-game win streak, the longest since the stadium opened in 2003, tied the longest home win streak in school history of 10 games from the 1972-74 seasons at Temple and Veterans Stadiums.
NEW ADDITIONS
Strolling the sidelines this fall is a new coaching staff. Led by first-year head coach Steve Addazio, the Owls' new mentors boast youth and successful experience. With 68 bowl appearances among them, their average age on opening night (Sept. 1) will be 37.4 years. All of the Owl coaches are former college football players. [complete staff list is on page 22]
KOMEN NAMES TEMPLE FOOTBALL MVP
The Temple University football team was honored by the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in August.
Represented at the Volunteer Thank-You Party by Director of Operations Ed Foley, the team received a plaque as the 2011 Most Valuable Players.
The Owls, who log 1,000 hours of community service each spring, once again helped with the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure on May 8. More than 1,000 Komen Philadelphia Affiliate volunteers helped raise $3.3 million during the 21st Susan G. Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure® season.
Temple football has received recognition through the years for its community service efforts. The Owls claimed back-to-back T.E.A.M. Awards, an acronym standing for Temple's Exceptional Acts for Mankind, for their exceptional community service efforts in 2009 and 2010. The team also received the 2009 Robert P. Levy Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Philadelphia Sports Congress.
PIERCE, McMANUS RACE UP THE TOP 10
Juniors PK Brandon McManus (Hatfield, Pa.) and RB Bernard Pierce moved into the Top 10 on the career chart for scoring in 2010. McManus stands No. 5 with 166 points, while Pierce is No. 6 with 162 points. Former RB Paul Palmer (1983-87) holds the record with 264 career points scored.
OLDER, WISER OWLS
During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Temple football fielded the youngest team in the nation. In 2007 alone, the Owls played 25 freshmen, including the nation's most true freshmen (20) and the nation's most freshman starters (12).
In 2010, Temple utilized just five true freshmen— LB Olaniyi Adewole (Drexel Hill, Pa.), LB Wyatt Benson (Philadelphia, Pa.), DB Tomas Cabrera (Hanover, Pa.), DE Sean Daniels (Blackwood, N.J.), and WR Deon Miller (Highland Springs, Va.). An additional 15 redshirt freshmen also saw game action, including DE Shahid Paulhill (Philadelphia, Pa.) who was a member of the starting line-up.
GEORGE WASHINGTON CONNECTION
Three high school teammates reunite on the Owl roster. Hailing from Philadelphia's George Washington HS are freshman WR Brandon Chudnoff, freshman CB Daquan Cooper, and sophomore QB Clinton Granger. The squad won three consecutive Public League championships.
OLD MAN RIVER
Senior DE Morkeith Brown (Harrisburg, Pa.) is the oldest Owl on this year's roster. The 6-6, 260-lb. defender is 26 years old. Following graduation from Central Dauphin HS in 2003, Brown enlisted in the Army. He enrolled at Lackawanna College for one semester (spring 2007) prior to enrolling at Temple.
GRADUATION HONORS
Four Owls already received their undergraduate degrees from Temple University in May. TE Matt Balasavage (communications), DE Morkeith Brown (criminal justice), OL Derek Dennis (broadcast journalism), OL John Palumbo (criminal justice), and OL Jeremy Schonbrunner (human resource management) are competing as fifth-year seniors.
ARE YOU RELATED TO . . . ?????
Several Temple Owls have famous relatives. Freshman WR Hassan Dixon is the younger brother of former TU standout Raheem Brock who currently plays DE for the Seattle Seahawks.
Football runs in the family for freshman RB Spencer Reid. The son of Philadelphia Eagles' coach Andy Reid, his brother Britt is a senior and a student assistant coach with the Temple football team.
NFL CONNECTIONS
• Senior OL Derek Dennis' third cousin is Dexter Coakley who was a three-time Pro Bowl honoree, playing 10 NFL seasons at LB for Dallas and St. Louis
• Freshman WR Hassan Dixon is the younger brother of former TU standout Raheem Brock who currently plays DE for the Seattle Seahawks.
• Freshman DB Chris Hutton's maternal uncle Steve Israel was a second round Draft pick and played in the NFL for 10 seasons. Uncle Tim Israel was a wide receiver and ran track at Temple (1991-95).
• Freshman RB Spencer Reid is the son of Philadelphia Eagles' coach Andy Reid.
• Freshman LB Nate Smith's brother is L.J. Smith,a free agent TE who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round in 2003 and played there for six seasons.
• Sophomore DE Dan Van Norton's cousin is Woodie Pippens who played RB for the Kansas City Chiefs (1987).
• Junior DE John Youboty is the younger brother of Ashton Youboty who plays CB for the Buffalo Bills.
HOOT TOOTS ... OWL NOTES & QUOTES
• Seven of Temple's 2011 opponents— Villanova (FCS semifinal), Penn?State (Outback Bowl), Maryland (Military Bowl), Toledo (Little Caesar's Bowl), Ohio (R+L Carriers Bowl), Miami (GoDaddy.com Bowl), and Army (Armed Forces Bowl)— participated in postseason play.
• Since joining the MAC?in 2007, the Owls own the league's best home record for MAC games at 13-3.
• “I am honored. I am humbled to be standing here as the head football coach at Temple University. I will give everything I have to make Philadelphia and the University community proud.” — Steve Addazio during his first press conference, 12/23/10
UP NEXT
Temple travels to Akron on Sept. 10 for the MAC opener for both teams. ESPN3 will televise the game, beginning at 6 p.m. from InfoCision Stadium.
Ep. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Adam Fisher)
Sunday, December 14
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Derrian Ford & Gavin Griffiths)
Sunday, December 14
Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
Friday, December 12
