Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football Sends Five Owls to All-Conference Teams
11.29.17 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The American Athletic Conference announced its All-Conference teams today and five Temple Owls were recognized. Four players made the team for the first time – junior safety Delvon Randall earned first team honors, while redshirt senior offensive lineman Brian Carter along with senior defensive ends Sharif Finch and Jacob Martin earned second team accolades. Senior safety Sean Chandler, a two-time all-conference honoree, earned honorable mention.
Randall ranked second in the conference with a team-high four interceptions. He was also among the conference leaders in tackles with 76, good for second on the Owls while his 55 solo stops paced the team.
"I'm so happy for Delvon," said Temple head coach Geoff Collins. "I've said it from the first time I watched him practice, he's as good a defensive back as I've seen in my career. He's a playmaker and he will continue to get better."
Sharif Finch and Jacob Martin entered their final seasons in cherry and white with question marks. Neither was able to contribute much on the field during the spring. Finch was forced to redshirt last season due to injury and Martin suffered a foot injury prior to the American Championship game and had surgery right before the 2016 Military Bowl.
Each came back to start in 11 games and posted the best seasons of their careers. Finch nearly doubled his career totals in sacks (7.5Z) and TFLs (14.5) and posted a career-high 51 tackles. Martin exploded more than doubling his initial three-year output at Temple. He posted 39 tackles, a team-high 8.0 sacks, and 11.0 tackles for loss. Two of his sacks forced fumbles and one he returned for a touchdown.
"Sharif and Jacob were both coming off injury so we weren't certain what they would be able to contribute this season," said Collins. "Even in the spring when they were off the field, they provided outstanding senior leadership. On the field, though, they were able to take over games. They were constantly playing in the other team's backfield whether getting sacks in the pass game or tackles for loss in the run game."
Carter started 11 games at right guard and helped protect two different quarterbacks making the first starts of their careers. Carter, who started 10 games in 2015 but zero in 2016, became a steadying force while playing in between center Matt Hennessy and right tackle Cole Boozer, each making the first starts of their careers at their respective positions. Undaunted, the offensive unit improved throughout the year, increasing its total yard output more than 150.0 yards per game (288.8/437.0) and scoring by greater than 10 points per game (17.0/28.8) from the first four games to the final eight.
"Our offensive line had a lot of different looks this season, but Brian Carter was a constant," said Collins. "He's been an underappreciated cog in the line here for a few years and I'm happy he has finally gotten the much deserved recognition."
Chandler entered the season as the most decorated player on the roster. A two-time All-American Athletic Conference player, he was named to the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award. He collected a career-best 74 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He closed out his career with nine pass thefts, good for eighth on the school's all-time list.
"I'm glad that Sean Chandler received honorable mention, but I'm surprised he didn't end up higher," said Collins. "I think our safeties are two of the best in the country. Trust me when I say he's a better player than he was last year and he will play in the NFL next year."
"No surprise that our single-digit players made all-conference," added Collins. "They are leaders on and off the field. I'd put Keith Kirkwood and Nick Sharga on the all-conference team as well. And if they didn't battle injuries all year long, Artrel Foster and Ryquell Armstead would have made it too."
Temple awards single-digit jerseys to the team's toughest players – on and off the field. Randall (#2), Chandler (#3), Finch (#6), and Martin (#9) all sport a single digit. Sharga (#4), Kirkwood (#5), Armstead (#7), and Foster (#8) join them. Offensive linemen are prevented by rule from wearing single-digit jerseys.
Randall ranked second in the conference with a team-high four interceptions. He was also among the conference leaders in tackles with 76, good for second on the Owls while his 55 solo stops paced the team.
"I'm so happy for Delvon," said Temple head coach Geoff Collins. "I've said it from the first time I watched him practice, he's as good a defensive back as I've seen in my career. He's a playmaker and he will continue to get better."
Sharif Finch and Jacob Martin entered their final seasons in cherry and white with question marks. Neither was able to contribute much on the field during the spring. Finch was forced to redshirt last season due to injury and Martin suffered a foot injury prior to the American Championship game and had surgery right before the 2016 Military Bowl.
Each came back to start in 11 games and posted the best seasons of their careers. Finch nearly doubled his career totals in sacks (7.5Z) and TFLs (14.5) and posted a career-high 51 tackles. Martin exploded more than doubling his initial three-year output at Temple. He posted 39 tackles, a team-high 8.0 sacks, and 11.0 tackles for loss. Two of his sacks forced fumbles and one he returned for a touchdown.
"Sharif and Jacob were both coming off injury so we weren't certain what they would be able to contribute this season," said Collins. "Even in the spring when they were off the field, they provided outstanding senior leadership. On the field, though, they were able to take over games. They were constantly playing in the other team's backfield whether getting sacks in the pass game or tackles for loss in the run game."
Carter started 11 games at right guard and helped protect two different quarterbacks making the first starts of their careers. Carter, who started 10 games in 2015 but zero in 2016, became a steadying force while playing in between center Matt Hennessy and right tackle Cole Boozer, each making the first starts of their careers at their respective positions. Undaunted, the offensive unit improved throughout the year, increasing its total yard output more than 150.0 yards per game (288.8/437.0) and scoring by greater than 10 points per game (17.0/28.8) from the first four games to the final eight.
"Our offensive line had a lot of different looks this season, but Brian Carter was a constant," said Collins. "He's been an underappreciated cog in the line here for a few years and I'm happy he has finally gotten the much deserved recognition."
Chandler entered the season as the most decorated player on the roster. A two-time All-American Athletic Conference player, he was named to the watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award. He collected a career-best 74 tackles and a pair of interceptions. He closed out his career with nine pass thefts, good for eighth on the school's all-time list.
"I'm glad that Sean Chandler received honorable mention, but I'm surprised he didn't end up higher," said Collins. "I think our safeties are two of the best in the country. Trust me when I say he's a better player than he was last year and he will play in the NFL next year."
"No surprise that our single-digit players made all-conference," added Collins. "They are leaders on and off the field. I'd put Keith Kirkwood and Nick Sharga on the all-conference team as well. And if they didn't battle injuries all year long, Artrel Foster and Ryquell Armstead would have made it too."
Temple awards single-digit jerseys to the team's toughest players – on and off the field. Randall (#2), Chandler (#3), Finch (#6), and Martin (#9) all sport a single digit. Sharga (#4), Kirkwood (#5), Armstead (#7), and Foster (#8) join them. Offensive linemen are prevented by rule from wearing single-digit jerseys.
Players Mentioned
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