Temple University Athletics
Football to Begin Spring Practice
3.12.18 | Football
When Temple took the field for spring ball in 2017, they did so with a first-time head coach, a near-complete turnover of the coaching staff, a new starter at quarterback, and a variety of other question marks. A new Standard was born and the 2017 Owls took time to spread their wings. By seasons end, however, the offense transformed into a high-powered unit and the defense blossomed into a speedy, ball-hawking group.
Geoff Collins earned the ECAC FBS Coach of the Year award after leading the Owls to a 7-6 record and a 28-3 win in the 2017 Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl. The Owls' offense finished with 3,273 passing yards and 5,046 total yards, which were second- and third-best in school history, respectively. Last season's defense ranked first in the conference in passing (206.8 ypg) and sacks (39), and were second in total yards (381.5), scoring (25.8), and tackles-for-loss (102).
This year when the Owls enter spring ball, they will do so with an experienced head coach and a staff with very few changes. The quarterback position is now headed by Frank Nutile, who has become the unquestioned leader of the team. "Frankie Juice" took the reins under center in week eight and led the Owls to a 4-2 record down the stretch.
That stability is bolstered on offense by the return of three of the team's most explosive players – running backs Ryquell Armstead and David Hood, and receiver Isaiah Wright.
Nutile will be able to rely on a strong ground game this season as the team returns it's top two rushers – running backs Ryquell Armstead and David Hood. Armstead (156-604-5TDs rushing in 2017), battle through injuries last season but still managed to be tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns while Hood (130-638-5TDs) managed to be the team's leading rusher and also contributed 25 receptions. The run game will have help from an experienced group upfront as the offensive line returns three starters including Matt Hennessey and guards Jovahn Fair and Vincent Picozzi.
The receiving core will be led by do-it-all playmaker Isiah Wright. Ending last season with 46-668-4TDs receiving and 25-188-1TD rushing, he was a threat to take it to the house whenever he touched the ball and scored in five different ways (receiving, rushing, passing, kick return, punt return) making him just the sixth player in FBS history to do so in the past ten years. Ventell Bryant currently sits in a tie for fifth place in career receptions (122) and seventh in receiving yards (1,754) and adds another experienced weapon for Nutile to throw to.
The defense will experience a change in leadership as Andrew Thacker, who was selected to the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, takes over the unit. The defense will be returning seven starters including all three linebackers - Shaun Bradley who led the team in tackles with 85, Sam Franklin, and Chapelle Russell. Delvon Randall will lead the defensive backfield as he was a first-team all-conference selection in 2017. The two-year starting safety was second on the team in tackles (80) and led the team in interceptions (4) last season.
Kicking game responsibilities will be left on the leg of Lou Groza Award nominee Aaron Boumerhi. Last year, he led the team in total scoring with a 73 points, falling one point short of his freshman year total. Boumerhi shined in pivotal moments for the Owls last season, as he kicked a game-winning 49-yard field goal to get the Owls their first victory of the season against Villanova in week two. He also knocked through a career-long 52-yard field goal against UMass the following week. Wright looks to be the Owls' main threat in the return game where he returned 13 kickoffs for 324 yards, including a career-long 98-yard touchdown while ranking as the AAC's second most productive punt returner, averaging 9.9 yards per return.
For the fourth straight year, The American will hold a playoff game to crown a Conference Champion. Last year marked the only time that Temple did not take part in the Conference Championship game. The Owls lost to Houston in 2015 and defeated Navy in 2016.
The Owls are coming off three straight seasons with a winning record and a bowl berth. Only one team has recorded more than the 18 conference wins that Temple has in the past three seasons or the 22 AAC victories for the Owls in the past four years.
The Schedule
Date – Event – Feature Interviews
Tuesday, March 13 – Practice (All-Access Media Day) – Geoff Collins
Thursday, March 15 – Practice - Andrew Thacker & LBs
Saturday, March 17 – Practice (Protect & Serve Day) – Dave Patenaude & QBs
Tuesday, March 20 – Practice – Chris Wiesehan & OL
Thursday, March 22 – Practice – Jim Panagos & DL
Saturday, March 24 – Practice – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, March 27 – Practice – Stan Hixon & WRs
Thursday, March 29 – Practice – Larry Knight & OLBs
Friday, March 30 – Practice (Pop Warner Day) – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, April 3 – Practice – Tony Lucas & RBs
Thursday, April 5 – Practice – Nathan Burton & DBs
Saturday, April 7 – Practice (Alumni Day) – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, April 10 – Practice – Ed Foley & TEs/specialists
Thursday, April 12 – Practice – Adam DiMichele & C&W captains
Saturday, April 14 – Cherry & White Game
Geoff Collins earned the ECAC FBS Coach of the Year award after leading the Owls to a 7-6 record and a 28-3 win in the 2017 Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl. The Owls' offense finished with 3,273 passing yards and 5,046 total yards, which were second- and third-best in school history, respectively. Last season's defense ranked first in the conference in passing (206.8 ypg) and sacks (39), and were second in total yards (381.5), scoring (25.8), and tackles-for-loss (102).
This year when the Owls enter spring ball, they will do so with an experienced head coach and a staff with very few changes. The quarterback position is now headed by Frank Nutile, who has become the unquestioned leader of the team. "Frankie Juice" took the reins under center in week eight and led the Owls to a 4-2 record down the stretch.
That stability is bolstered on offense by the return of three of the team's most explosive players – running backs Ryquell Armstead and David Hood, and receiver Isaiah Wright.
Nutile will be able to rely on a strong ground game this season as the team returns it's top two rushers – running backs Ryquell Armstead and David Hood. Armstead (156-604-5TDs rushing in 2017), battle through injuries last season but still managed to be tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns while Hood (130-638-5TDs) managed to be the team's leading rusher and also contributed 25 receptions. The run game will have help from an experienced group upfront as the offensive line returns three starters including Matt Hennessey and guards Jovahn Fair and Vincent Picozzi.
The receiving core will be led by do-it-all playmaker Isiah Wright. Ending last season with 46-668-4TDs receiving and 25-188-1TD rushing, he was a threat to take it to the house whenever he touched the ball and scored in five different ways (receiving, rushing, passing, kick return, punt return) making him just the sixth player in FBS history to do so in the past ten years. Ventell Bryant currently sits in a tie for fifth place in career receptions (122) and seventh in receiving yards (1,754) and adds another experienced weapon for Nutile to throw to.
The defense will experience a change in leadership as Andrew Thacker, who was selected to the AFCA's 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, takes over the unit. The defense will be returning seven starters including all three linebackers - Shaun Bradley who led the team in tackles with 85, Sam Franklin, and Chapelle Russell. Delvon Randall will lead the defensive backfield as he was a first-team all-conference selection in 2017. The two-year starting safety was second on the team in tackles (80) and led the team in interceptions (4) last season.
Kicking game responsibilities will be left on the leg of Lou Groza Award nominee Aaron Boumerhi. Last year, he led the team in total scoring with a 73 points, falling one point short of his freshman year total. Boumerhi shined in pivotal moments for the Owls last season, as he kicked a game-winning 49-yard field goal to get the Owls their first victory of the season against Villanova in week two. He also knocked through a career-long 52-yard field goal against UMass the following week. Wright looks to be the Owls' main threat in the return game where he returned 13 kickoffs for 324 yards, including a career-long 98-yard touchdown while ranking as the AAC's second most productive punt returner, averaging 9.9 yards per return.
For the fourth straight year, The American will hold a playoff game to crown a Conference Champion. Last year marked the only time that Temple did not take part in the Conference Championship game. The Owls lost to Houston in 2015 and defeated Navy in 2016.
The Owls are coming off three straight seasons with a winning record and a bowl berth. Only one team has recorded more than the 18 conference wins that Temple has in the past three seasons or the 22 AAC victories for the Owls in the past four years.
The Schedule
Date – Event – Feature Interviews
Tuesday, March 13 – Practice (All-Access Media Day) – Geoff Collins
Thursday, March 15 – Practice - Andrew Thacker & LBs
Saturday, March 17 – Practice (Protect & Serve Day) – Dave Patenaude & QBs
Tuesday, March 20 – Practice – Chris Wiesehan & OL
Thursday, March 22 – Practice – Jim Panagos & DL
Saturday, March 24 – Practice – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, March 27 – Practice – Stan Hixon & WRs
Thursday, March 29 – Practice – Larry Knight & OLBs
Friday, March 30 – Practice (Pop Warner Day) – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, April 3 – Practice – Tony Lucas & RBs
Thursday, April 5 – Practice – Nathan Burton & DBs
Saturday, April 7 – Practice (Alumni Day) – Geoff Collins
Tuesday, April 10 – Practice – Ed Foley & TEs/specialists
Thursday, April 12 – Practice – Adam DiMichele & C&W captains
Saturday, April 14 – Cherry & White Game
Players Mentioned
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