Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Temple Football Opens Training Camp on August 4
8.3.12 | Football
Season Opener with Villanova is Aug. 31
Training Camp Roster
2012 Temple Football Media Guide
2012 Season Outlook
Fresh off their Gildan New Mexico Bowl win over Wyoming, the Temple Owls are anxious to take the field this fall. After posting the most wins in three consecutive seasons in school history and making a second bowl appearance in three seasons, Temple finished 2011 at 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference East Division under the leadership of first-year head coach Steve Addazio. The Owls advanced to their second bowl in three seasons and recorded the school's second bowl win.
While setting numerous school records, including rushing yards (3,335), attempts (636), and rushing touchdowns (38) in a season, TU out-scored its opponents by 16.7 points and scored at least 34 points in eight of its victories. The Temple defense, which finished third nationally in scoring defense behind national champion Alabama and LSU, recorded two shutouts.
The Owls have a little extra incentive this season. Beginning July 1, Temple is a member of the BIG EAST Conference, playing its first season of football immediately in 2012. All other Temple sports will participate in BIG EAST competition beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.
Taking the field this fall are 77 returning student-athletes, including 35 letterwinners and nine starters. Joining the Owls this fall are two mid-year transfers as well as members of the Local 215 (walk-on) program.
In February, Temple signed 27 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Geographically, 25 signees came from within TU's recruiting footprint and within three hours of the Temple campus. Fourteen student-athletes list their hometown in Pennsylvania and six hail from New Jersey. Eight signees hail from Southeastern Pennsylvania, including seven from the Philadelphia metro area.
Twenty of the 27 high school signees attended the Temple Football Camp (74%). Two of the signees—Tyler Matakevich and James Whitfield— enrolled at Temple in January and participated in spring drills.
OFFENSE
The Temple offense returns four players to starting positions among the 22 lettermen. Under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Ryan Day, TU will utilize a multiple offensive system designed to create a balanced running game and passing game.
Directing the offense is an experienced quarterback-- junior Chris Coyer, the Offensive MVP of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
Seeing action in eight games with four starts, Coyer was 30-of-50 for 463 yards and six touchdowns. He finished third in rushing with 562 yards and three touchdowns on 69 carries. Coyer led the MAC?in passing efficiency (177.4) and finished 10th in rushing (70.2).
Additionally, Day will guide junior Clinton Granger as well as sophomore Connor Reilly. A junior college transfer, Granger redshirted, while Newsome joins the Owls as a transfer this fall. Reilly saw limited action in three games. Redshirt freshman Chad McCloskey will provide depth.
In his second season with the offensive line, coach Justin Frye will have the biggest holes to fill. The o-line returns just one starter—senior Martin Wallace, losing All-MAC honorees Pat Boyle and Wayne Tribue to graduation.
In 2011, Wallace started all 13 games at right tackle. He was one of nine Owls to start every game.
Expected to take over at center is senior Sean Boyle, who missed last season with a shoulder injury. Twin brother to first-team All-MAC selection Pat, Boyle played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2008 and all 13 games in 2009 with one start at center.
There are big shoes to fill on the rest of the line. Expected to join the starting line-up will be redshirt freshman Zack Hooks, sophomore Jaimen Newman, and junior Jeff Whittingham. Competing for starting positions will be sophomore Joe Cenatiempo, sophomore Elijah Grant, redshirt freshman Eric Lofton, sophomore Adam Metz, redshirt freshman Jacob Quinn, redshirt freshman Will Rathbone, junior Evan Regas, and junior Scott Roorda. Newcomers include freshmen Kyle Friend, Raymond Korang and Brendan McGowan.
In his first season with the tight ends, coach Frank Leonard has a veteran list of candidates. Juniors Wyatt Benson, Cody Booth, Alex Jackson, and Chris Parthemore are expected to compete to replace two-time first-team All-MAC pick Evan Rodriguez and senior Matt Balasavage.
Benson played in all 13 games last fall. Booth played in all 13 games in 2011 with four starts. Jackson played in 11 contests, while Parthemore saw action in four games. Also competing for time will be juniors Matt Brookhart and Dan Van Norton, and sophomore Wanemi Omuso.
Sixth-year coach Tyree Foreman returns as experienced backfield heading into 2012. After re-writing the school season rushing records for touchdowns, yards, and attempts last fall behind the efforts of three-time first-team All-MAC honoree Bernard Pierce, the Owls will rely on the speed of senior Matt Brown.
A two-time All-MAC selection, Brown played in all 13 games with two starts a year ago. He finished second in rushing with 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries.
Adding depth to the running game is sophomore Kenny Harper. Fitzpatrick saw action in 11 games in 2012. Harper played in all 13 games last fall, rushing 33 times for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Senior transfer Montel Harris, the ACC's all-time leading rusher, joins the Owls for his final season.
Also competing for time will be redshirt freshmen Hassan Dixon and Spencer Reid. Newcomers include freshmen Jamie Gilmore, and Avery Williams.
First-year wide receivers coach Ryan Day has a plethora of talent in his arsenal. Junior Deon Miller is expected to return to his starting role. He had 18 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns in his first season as a starter.
Several Owls will be lining up for the other two spots. Junior Ryan Alderman, redshirt freshman Robbie Anderson, redshirt freshman John Christopher, junior Michael Doty, sophomore Jalen Fitzpatrick, junior Tyron Harris, senior Eugene Malcolm, senior C.J. Hammond, sophomore Brett Pierce, and senior Darryl Shine will vie for playing time.
Newcomers include freshmen Antonio Belt, Samuel Benjamin, Romond Deloatch, Nathan Hairston, Khalif Herbin, Dion Shaw, and James Whitfield.
DEFENSE
The Temple defense needs to reload, losing four All-MAC selections. The Owls return 23 letterwinners, including five starters. Under the guidance of second-year defensive coordinator/defensive back coach Chuck Heater, the Owls will look for leadership on the defensive line, filling the end roles of three-time first-team All-MAC honoree Adrian Robinson and All-MAC selection Morkeith Brown.
Second-year line coach Sean Cronin has two players with experience to cover the ends. Senior Marcus Green, who saw action in all 13 games last fall behind Robinson, looks to take over a starting position. Junior Kamal Johnson will compete for the other starting spot.
At nose tackle, junior Levi Brown is expected to resume his starting role. He played in all 13 games in 2011 with 11 starts at nose tackle. Senior Kadeem Custis, who made two starts at nose tackle, will compete for the starting nod.
At tackle, Cronin will look for strength from senior John Youboty who moved into the starting role during the last seven contests in 2011. He will receive competition from junior Shahid Paulhill, who started four games a year ago. Other candidates are redshirt freshman Ari Nwobi and redshirt freshman Hershey Walton. Newcomers include Shahbaz Ahmed, Matt Ioannidis, Bret Niederreither, and Bryan Osei.
Linebacking coaches Ben Albert (outside) and Sean McGowan (inside) will need to replace seniors Stephen Johnson, Tahir Whitehead, and Quinten White, Jr.
Junior Blaze Caponegro, who started eight games at Will linebacker last fall, is the only returning starter. He will receive competition from senior Matt Falcone, who missed last season with an injury.
Senior Ahkeem Smith, who moved from running back to linebacker in August 2011, started one game at linebacker last fall.
Also expected to compete for starting roles will be junior Olaniyi Adewole, junior Sean Daniels, and junior Gary Onuekwusi. Providing depth will be redshirt freshmen Brandon Chudnoff, Nate D. Smith, and Desmond Williams, as well as freshman Tyler Matakevich. Newcomers include Rob Dvoracek, Avery Ellis, and Michael Kalaman.
The secondary, under the guidance of Heater, is stacked with experience.
At strong safety senior Justin Gildea is expected to keep his starting role. In 2011, he had 51 tackles, three sacks and a team-best three interceptions in 13 starts. Sophomore Chris Hutton, who provided support in nine games as a true freshman, will provide depth.
Heater will have to fill the starting role at free safety vacated by Kevin Kroboth. Senior Vaughn Carraway will compete for this position. In 2011, Carraway saw action in all 13 games.
At corner, sophomore Anthony Robey, senior Maurice Jones, and junior Zamel Johnson are expected to lead the pack. Jones played in all 13 games with four starts, while Johnson started nine games at corner.
Providing depth to the defensive backs will be redshirt freshman Ikeem Boyd, sophomore Brian Burns, sophomore Daquan Cooper, redshirt freshman Will Hayes, and junior Abdul Smith. Newcomers include Michael Felton, Stephaun Marshall, Damiere Shaw, Brandon Shippen, and Tavon Young.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to coaching the inside linebackers, Sean McGowan will coordinate the Owls' special teams.
Returning for his senior season is placekicker and punter Brandon McManus. The Owls' top returning scorer, McManus has handled the Owls' field goals, extra points, and kickoffs for three seasons. In 2011, McManus took over punting duties, ranking among the nation's best.
Competing for playing time will be redshirt freshmen Nick Holland and Tyler Mayes.
Senior Matt Brown and sophomore Kenny Harper are expected to handle kickoff return and punt return duties. Redshirt freshman Robbie Anderson could provide additional help.
2012 SCHEDULE
Temple enters its first season of BIG EAST Conference play since 2004 with six home games and several nationally televised contests. TU opens the 2012 season with Villanova in the fourth annual Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field on August 31.
Temple hosts Maryland on Sept. 8 before travelling to Penn State on Sept. 22.
Following a bye week, TU opens BIG EAST play at home with South Florida on Oct. 6 during its annual Homecoming contest. The Owls hit the road for Connecticut on Oct. 13 before returning home to host regional rival Rutgers on Oct. 20.
Temple takes to the road two weeks in a row with stops in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 and Louisville on Nov. 3. TU hosts Cincinnati on Nov. 10. The Owls travel to Army for their last non-conference game on Nov. 17.
Temple concludes the regular-season with Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 23.
OFF THE FIELD
In addition to taking classes and training for the season, the Temple Owls are enthusiastically involved with several community service projects throughout the year. The Owls have helped clean up recreation centers around the city and fed the homeless at area shelters.
Temple once again participated in the Southwest Airlines Ronald McDonald House Plane Pull, the Race for the Cure, and the Diamond Street Cleanup during the spring.
Last season, the Temple 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.
2012 Temple Football Media Guide
2012 Season Outlook
Fresh off their Gildan New Mexico Bowl win over Wyoming, the Temple Owls are anxious to take the field this fall. After posting the most wins in three consecutive seasons in school history and making a second bowl appearance in three seasons, Temple finished 2011 at 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference East Division under the leadership of first-year head coach Steve Addazio. The Owls advanced to their second bowl in three seasons and recorded the school's second bowl win.
While setting numerous school records, including rushing yards (3,335), attempts (636), and rushing touchdowns (38) in a season, TU out-scored its opponents by 16.7 points and scored at least 34 points in eight of its victories. The Temple defense, which finished third nationally in scoring defense behind national champion Alabama and LSU, recorded two shutouts.
The Owls have a little extra incentive this season. Beginning July 1, Temple is a member of the BIG EAST Conference, playing its first season of football immediately in 2012. All other Temple sports will participate in BIG EAST competition beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.
Taking the field this fall are 77 returning student-athletes, including 35 letterwinners and nine starters. Joining the Owls this fall are two mid-year transfers as well as members of the Local 215 (walk-on) program.
In February, Temple signed 27 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Geographically, 25 signees came from within TU's recruiting footprint and within three hours of the Temple campus. Fourteen student-athletes list their hometown in Pennsylvania and six hail from New Jersey. Eight signees hail from Southeastern Pennsylvania, including seven from the Philadelphia metro area.
Twenty of the 27 high school signees attended the Temple Football Camp (74%). Two of the signees—Tyler Matakevich and James Whitfield— enrolled at Temple in January and participated in spring drills.
OFFENSE
The Temple offense returns four players to starting positions among the 22 lettermen. Under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Ryan Day, TU will utilize a multiple offensive system designed to create a balanced running game and passing game.
Directing the offense is an experienced quarterback-- junior Chris Coyer, the Offensive MVP of the Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
Seeing action in eight games with four starts, Coyer was 30-of-50 for 463 yards and six touchdowns. He finished third in rushing with 562 yards and three touchdowns on 69 carries. Coyer led the MAC?in passing efficiency (177.4) and finished 10th in rushing (70.2).
Additionally, Day will guide junior Clinton Granger as well as sophomore Connor Reilly. A junior college transfer, Granger redshirted, while Newsome joins the Owls as a transfer this fall. Reilly saw limited action in three games. Redshirt freshman Chad McCloskey will provide depth.
In his second season with the offensive line, coach Justin Frye will have the biggest holes to fill. The o-line returns just one starter—senior Martin Wallace, losing All-MAC honorees Pat Boyle and Wayne Tribue to graduation.
In 2011, Wallace started all 13 games at right tackle. He was one of nine Owls to start every game.
Expected to take over at center is senior Sean Boyle, who missed last season with a shoulder injury. Twin brother to first-team All-MAC selection Pat, Boyle played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2008 and all 13 games in 2009 with one start at center.
There are big shoes to fill on the rest of the line. Expected to join the starting line-up will be redshirt freshman Zack Hooks, sophomore Jaimen Newman, and junior Jeff Whittingham. Competing for starting positions will be sophomore Joe Cenatiempo, sophomore Elijah Grant, redshirt freshman Eric Lofton, sophomore Adam Metz, redshirt freshman Jacob Quinn, redshirt freshman Will Rathbone, junior Evan Regas, and junior Scott Roorda. Newcomers include freshmen Kyle Friend, Raymond Korang and Brendan McGowan.
In his first season with the tight ends, coach Frank Leonard has a veteran list of candidates. Juniors Wyatt Benson, Cody Booth, Alex Jackson, and Chris Parthemore are expected to compete to replace two-time first-team All-MAC pick Evan Rodriguez and senior Matt Balasavage.
Benson played in all 13 games last fall. Booth played in all 13 games in 2011 with four starts. Jackson played in 11 contests, while Parthemore saw action in four games. Also competing for time will be juniors Matt Brookhart and Dan Van Norton, and sophomore Wanemi Omuso.
Sixth-year coach Tyree Foreman returns as experienced backfield heading into 2012. After re-writing the school season rushing records for touchdowns, yards, and attempts last fall behind the efforts of three-time first-team All-MAC honoree Bernard Pierce, the Owls will rely on the speed of senior Matt Brown.
A two-time All-MAC selection, Brown played in all 13 games with two starts a year ago. He finished second in rushing with 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries.
Adding depth to the running game is sophomore Kenny Harper. Fitzpatrick saw action in 11 games in 2012. Harper played in all 13 games last fall, rushing 33 times for 128 yards and a touchdown.
Senior transfer Montel Harris, the ACC's all-time leading rusher, joins the Owls for his final season.
Also competing for time will be redshirt freshmen Hassan Dixon and Spencer Reid. Newcomers include freshmen Jamie Gilmore, and Avery Williams.
First-year wide receivers coach Ryan Day has a plethora of talent in his arsenal. Junior Deon Miller is expected to return to his starting role. He had 18 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns in his first season as a starter.
Several Owls will be lining up for the other two spots. Junior Ryan Alderman, redshirt freshman Robbie Anderson, redshirt freshman John Christopher, junior Michael Doty, sophomore Jalen Fitzpatrick, junior Tyron Harris, senior Eugene Malcolm, senior C.J. Hammond, sophomore Brett Pierce, and senior Darryl Shine will vie for playing time.
Newcomers include freshmen Antonio Belt, Samuel Benjamin, Romond Deloatch, Nathan Hairston, Khalif Herbin, Dion Shaw, and James Whitfield.
DEFENSE
The Temple defense needs to reload, losing four All-MAC selections. The Owls return 23 letterwinners, including five starters. Under the guidance of second-year defensive coordinator/defensive back coach Chuck Heater, the Owls will look for leadership on the defensive line, filling the end roles of three-time first-team All-MAC honoree Adrian Robinson and All-MAC selection Morkeith Brown.
Second-year line coach Sean Cronin has two players with experience to cover the ends. Senior Marcus Green, who saw action in all 13 games last fall behind Robinson, looks to take over a starting position. Junior Kamal Johnson will compete for the other starting spot.
At nose tackle, junior Levi Brown is expected to resume his starting role. He played in all 13 games in 2011 with 11 starts at nose tackle. Senior Kadeem Custis, who made two starts at nose tackle, will compete for the starting nod.
At tackle, Cronin will look for strength from senior John Youboty who moved into the starting role during the last seven contests in 2011. He will receive competition from junior Shahid Paulhill, who started four games a year ago. Other candidates are redshirt freshman Ari Nwobi and redshirt freshman Hershey Walton. Newcomers include Shahbaz Ahmed, Matt Ioannidis, Bret Niederreither, and Bryan Osei.
Linebacking coaches Ben Albert (outside) and Sean McGowan (inside) will need to replace seniors Stephen Johnson, Tahir Whitehead, and Quinten White, Jr.
Junior Blaze Caponegro, who started eight games at Will linebacker last fall, is the only returning starter. He will receive competition from senior Matt Falcone, who missed last season with an injury.
Senior Ahkeem Smith, who moved from running back to linebacker in August 2011, started one game at linebacker last fall.
Also expected to compete for starting roles will be junior Olaniyi Adewole, junior Sean Daniels, and junior Gary Onuekwusi. Providing depth will be redshirt freshmen Brandon Chudnoff, Nate D. Smith, and Desmond Williams, as well as freshman Tyler Matakevich. Newcomers include Rob Dvoracek, Avery Ellis, and Michael Kalaman.
The secondary, under the guidance of Heater, is stacked with experience.
At strong safety senior Justin Gildea is expected to keep his starting role. In 2011, he had 51 tackles, three sacks and a team-best three interceptions in 13 starts. Sophomore Chris Hutton, who provided support in nine games as a true freshman, will provide depth.
Heater will have to fill the starting role at free safety vacated by Kevin Kroboth. Senior Vaughn Carraway will compete for this position. In 2011, Carraway saw action in all 13 games.
At corner, sophomore Anthony Robey, senior Maurice Jones, and junior Zamel Johnson are expected to lead the pack. Jones played in all 13 games with four starts, while Johnson started nine games at corner.
Providing depth to the defensive backs will be redshirt freshman Ikeem Boyd, sophomore Brian Burns, sophomore Daquan Cooper, redshirt freshman Will Hayes, and junior Abdul Smith. Newcomers include Michael Felton, Stephaun Marshall, Damiere Shaw, Brandon Shippen, and Tavon Young.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to coaching the inside linebackers, Sean McGowan will coordinate the Owls' special teams.
Returning for his senior season is placekicker and punter Brandon McManus. The Owls' top returning scorer, McManus has handled the Owls' field goals, extra points, and kickoffs for three seasons. In 2011, McManus took over punting duties, ranking among the nation's best.
Competing for playing time will be redshirt freshmen Nick Holland and Tyler Mayes.
Senior Matt Brown and sophomore Kenny Harper are expected to handle kickoff return and punt return duties. Redshirt freshman Robbie Anderson could provide additional help.
2012 SCHEDULE
Temple enters its first season of BIG EAST Conference play since 2004 with six home games and several nationally televised contests. TU opens the 2012 season with Villanova in the fourth annual Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field on August 31.
Temple hosts Maryland on Sept. 8 before travelling to Penn State on Sept. 22.
Following a bye week, TU opens BIG EAST play at home with South Florida on Oct. 6 during its annual Homecoming contest. The Owls hit the road for Connecticut on Oct. 13 before returning home to host regional rival Rutgers on Oct. 20.
Temple takes to the road two weeks in a row with stops in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27 and Louisville on Nov. 3. TU hosts Cincinnati on Nov. 10. The Owls travel to Army for their last non-conference game on Nov. 17.
Temple concludes the regular-season with Syracuse on Friday, Nov. 23.
OFF THE FIELD
In addition to taking classes and training for the season, the Temple Owls are enthusiastically involved with several community service projects throughout the year. The Owls have helped clean up recreation centers around the city and fed the homeless at area shelters.
Temple once again participated in the Southwest Airlines Ronald McDonald House Plane Pull, the Race for the Cure, and the Diamond Street Cleanup during the spring.
Last season, the Temple 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.
Ep. 28: Vice President/Debbie & Stanley Lefkowitz '65 Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson
Friday, December 12
Ep. 27: Men's Crew Student-Athlete Adam Curran
Thursday, December 11
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Connor Gal & Jordan Mason)
Wednesday, December 10
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Adam Fisher)
Wednesday, December 10
