Temple University Athletics
What They're Saying About Bernard Pierce
What They’re Saying About Bernard Pierce …
“The (nation’s) leading rusher is a tough one; if Temple's Bernard Pierce stays healthy, he's my pick. He ran for 1,361 yards last season, and in almost half his games (six of 13) he carried the ball 12 or fewer times. In fact, Pierce carried it seven or fewer times in four games … If he's healthy, expect huge numbers from Pierce.”
- Mike Huguenin, Rivals.com College Sports Editor, May 16, 2010
“In the offseason program, we have what we call black shirts. That’s the best guys in their group. He had 10 opportunities to get a black shirt and got nine. That’s the top five percent of the team. That shows a lot of mental and competitive toughness. It’s not easy. It’s very hard to do. He has responded there and in the weight room.”
- Al Golden, April 2010
“Bernard is one of the best running backs in the country.”
- Matt Brown, Temple running back
“It’s awesome to have a running back like Bernard. It just makes our job so much easier. When he makes big runs, it’s all him, and he’s unbelievable. We haven’t had somebody like this in a while.”
- Steve Caputo, Temple offensive lineman
“It’s a great feeling, you just hand off the ball, and there’s always a possibility he’s going to score.”
- Chester Stewart, Temple quarterback
“Pierce is really good. But at the same time his offensive line is very good. They do a good job of coming off the football and just physically trying to maul you. The bottom line is we’re going to have to stop the run to win the football game.”
- Michael Haywood, Miami (Ohio) head coach
“I don’t think you can describe what Pierce does, and what he has meant to this team. He just goes out and puts his body on the line for us.”
- James Nixon, Temple wide receiver
“He’s very task oriented and you don’t need to hold his hand. When it’s time to go to the weight room, he’s in the weight room. When it’s time to go to treatment, he goes to treatment. You don’t really have to repeat things twice. He’s the same way with football. He has a very professional approach, which is incredible for someone his age. He’s one of the most special backs I’ve ever been around, to be quite honest. He’s so talented.”
- Al Golden, November 2009
“Pierce was a big running back. He's strong. He broke a lot of tackles and had good vision.”
- Wyatt Middleton, Navy safety
“Pierce is big, he's fast, has great vision and makes great cuts. He has the power to get the tough yards inside and the speed to hurt you on the perimeter.”
- Buddy Green, Navy defensive coordinator
“He's powerful. He's a downhill runner. And I guess you would call it deceptive speed. He's getting to the corner, and he doesn't look like it, just because that's the way he runs. He can make people miss or he can run them over, which is unique.”
- Al Golden, October 2009
“He’s strong. He wants the ball, and he loves playing when it’s physical. He gets stronger as the game goes on.”
- Al Golden, October 2009
“He's starting to feel it. He's getting stronger as the game goes on. He's giving us a glimpse of what he can be. He's got to continue to work hard and become an all-around player, but right now he's doing a good job in the running game.”
- Al Golden, October 2009
“He's a big back. I've been anxious to get a big back and get somebody that can do the things he can do. He uses his stiff arm well. He's always moving forward.”
- Al Golden, September 2009
