Temple University Athletics
Ex-Owls Continue to Shine in XFL
2.17.20 | Football
The XFL began play on February 7, and has had many football fans take notice. Temple Football fans have tuned in to see seven former Owls perform – QB P.J. Walker of the Houston Roughnecks, OL Cole Boozer of the DC Defenders, WR Adonis Jennings and OL Jaelin Robinson of the Los Angeles Wildcats, TE Evan Rodriguez and DE/LB Praise Martin-Oguike of the Seattle Dragons, and TE Colin Thompson of the Tampa Bay Vipers.
The XFL, a league owned by WWE mogul Vince McMahon, is in its second incarnation. While there are many variances from the NFL – including changes to the kickoff and how the game is presented on television - this time however, they are letting the play on the field dominate its drive for success. No one has opened as many eyes as former Owl P.J. Walker.
Walker has his Roughnecks at 2-0 and his play has been a big reason. After two games as the triggerman for June Jones' run-and-shoot offense, he has thrown for 442 yards and seven touchdowns on 43-69 passing. He has been responsible for more touchdowns than six of the league's teams. While it is very early in the 10 game season, TV viewers were able to hear the Houston fans chanting M-V-P during an in-game sideline interview with Walker.
Wrote NFL.com's Michael Baca following Houston's 28-24 win over St. Louis on Sunday: "A product of Temple University who spent time on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad, Walker threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns (20 for 31), but his play-making ability shined in ways that couldn't make a box score. There were several moments where Walker eluded the Battlehawks' pass rush to extend plays, and he also dazzled with a strong arm that sometimes went sideways in order to evade an oncoming defender. Walker also had 27 yards rushing and scored on a one-point conversion."
While Walker has been the focus of many positive discussions about the XFL, a few other Owls have made headlines. In the fourth quarter of the Wildcats loss on Sunday, Adonis Jennings became the first player in football history to record a three-point conversion when he caught a pass from QB Josh Johnson. Unlike the NFL, the XFL allows for one-, two- or even three-point conversions following a touchdown. Los Angeles elected to try for and convert a score from the 10-yard line.
DC Defenders' offensive lineman Cole Boozer has created a buzz for other reasons. The DC team has had a lot to celebrate with 31-19 and 27-0 wins in the season's first two weeks. Thanks to an interesting surname and a brief celebration with fans, Boozer became an instant celebrity on social media.
Thanks to ESPN and FOX, you can catch all the XFL action every week. This week's matchups are:
Houston at Tampa Bay (ABC – Sat, 2pm)
Dallas at Seattle (FOX – Sat, 5pm)
New York at St. Louis (ESPN – Sun, 3pm)
DC at Los Angeles (FS1 – Sun, 6pm)
The XFL, a league owned by WWE mogul Vince McMahon, is in its second incarnation. While there are many variances from the NFL – including changes to the kickoff and how the game is presented on television - this time however, they are letting the play on the field dominate its drive for success. No one has opened as many eyes as former Owl P.J. Walker.
Walker has his Roughnecks at 2-0 and his play has been a big reason. After two games as the triggerman for June Jones' run-and-shoot offense, he has thrown for 442 yards and seven touchdowns on 43-69 passing. He has been responsible for more touchdowns than six of the league's teams. While it is very early in the 10 game season, TV viewers were able to hear the Houston fans chanting M-V-P during an in-game sideline interview with Walker.
Wrote NFL.com's Michael Baca following Houston's 28-24 win over St. Louis on Sunday: "A product of Temple University who spent time on the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad, Walker threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns (20 for 31), but his play-making ability shined in ways that couldn't make a box score. There were several moments where Walker eluded the Battlehawks' pass rush to extend plays, and he also dazzled with a strong arm that sometimes went sideways in order to evade an oncoming defender. Walker also had 27 yards rushing and scored on a one-point conversion."
While Walker has been the focus of many positive discussions about the XFL, a few other Owls have made headlines. In the fourth quarter of the Wildcats loss on Sunday, Adonis Jennings became the first player in football history to record a three-point conversion when he caught a pass from QB Josh Johnson. Unlike the NFL, the XFL allows for one-, two- or even three-point conversions following a touchdown. Los Angeles elected to try for and convert a score from the 10-yard line.
DC Defenders' offensive lineman Cole Boozer has created a buzz for other reasons. The DC team has had a lot to celebrate with 31-19 and 27-0 wins in the season's first two weeks. Thanks to an interesting surname and a brief celebration with fans, Boozer became an instant celebrity on social media.
Thanks to ESPN and FOX, you can catch all the XFL action every week. This week's matchups are:
Houston at Tampa Bay (ABC – Sat, 2pm)
Dallas at Seattle (FOX – Sat, 5pm)
New York at St. Louis (ESPN – Sun, 3pm)
DC at Los Angeles (FS1 – Sun, 6pm)
Players Mentioned
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