Overview
While the Temple Owls are not to be mistaken for Oklahoma or LSU, this is not your typical opening-day cream puff. Though they recorded only one win in 11 games last season, the Owls did lose three games (Villanova, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech) in overtime and lost by nine on the road to Conference USA heavyweight Louisville (9-4 in 2003).
One of the big issues that plagued Temple last season was a lack of team cohesion.
“Last year, we entered the season with a good number of players listed on our depth chart that did not arrive at Temple until the fall,” said Temple coach Bobby Wallace. “We brought in 18 junior college transfers last season and probably took a step backwards in cohesiveness.”
With so many new players, including the 2003 freshman class, and only nine returning starters, the Owls never took flight.
This season everyone, especially the junior-college transfers whom Wallace has relied on extensively over the last two years to raise the Temple talent level, is in camp and ready for the season. Wallace is expecting big things from his JUCO transfers and a core group of veterans in 2004.
“We’re starting the season against the second highest-ranked team that we’ll play all year,” Wallace said. “[Virginia] is a very talented football team and we’re going to be a team that’s going to be a lot better in a month. That’s just the bottom line. We’re going to be without a couple starters and when they’re back in a month we’ll have a lot more depth.”
Temple Offense
Led by Walter Washington, the Temple offense produced its highest passing total in six years last season. As a sophomore, Washington threw for 1,265 yards after replacing injured starter Mike McGann, who passed for 1,432. The total of 2,697 passing yards was the second most in school history. What can give defensive coordinators Maalox moments, however, is Washington’s running prowess. He rushed for 579 yards in 2003.
“Having a quarterback that runs as well as Walter does provides us a great dimension, especially given his size and strength,” said Wallace.
Washington got his chance when starter McGann was injured late in the season. Washington started the last four games of the season and returns atop the depth chart in 2004. McGann also returns as one of the most experienced backup quarterbacks in the nation with 26 career starts. He ranks third all-time in career passing at Temple and likely will see action against the ‘Hoos.
The running game features junior tailbacks Umar Ferguson and junior-college transfer Tim Brown. Ferguson averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year and Brown was a 2003 JUCO first-team All-American.
Another JUCO transfer, Phil Goodman, heads a receiving corps that must make up for the lost production of Temple’s career receptions leader and 2003 first-team All-Big East honoree Zamir Cobb. Assisting Goodman in that task are a converted cornerback, junior Mike Holley, and seniors Ikey Chuku and Buchie Ibeh. Chuku and Ibeh tallied 25 receptions for 297 yards last season.
Another former defensive player now starting on offense is Christian Dunbar, who moved from defensive end to tight end and is primarily a blocker.
The offensive line has some good experience as junior left guard John Gross and seniors C.J. Blomvall (center) and Chris Harris (right tackle) combined for 34 starts last year. However, Harris will be absent from the opener with academic issues. He will be replaced by an inexperienced but massive junior in 330-pound Yohance Perry. Left tackle Elliot Seifert started his first game as a freshman but broke his ankle and was gone for the entire season. He will again begin the season as the starter while JUCO transfer Stephen Bell will start at right guard after redshirting in 2003.
Temple Defense
During the 2000 and 2001 seasons the Temple defense held opponents to an average of 334 and 313 yards per game. respectively. Last year that number ballooned to 429 yards per game and a 32.8 points-per-game average. If Temple expects to have any hope of winning three or more games this season, the defense must return to 2000-2001 form.
The Temple 4-2-5 alignment will remind Virginia fans of the 3-3-5 alignment used by Wake Forest and South Carolina over the last couple of years. The defense relies more on quickness than overpowering opponents and there is decent experience and adequate speed in the front six, especially at linebacker. The front six have combined for 70 career starts, including 51 last season.
The leader of the Temple defensive is junior linebacker Rian “Goo” Wallace, a second-team All-American in 2003. Last season Wallace ranked sixth in the nation in tackles (148) and 11th with 19.5 tackles for a loss. “He has things that cannot be coached – size, speed and instincts,” Wallace said.
Troy Bennett was third on the team in tackles in 2003 and the senior linebacker completes the Owl linebacker tandem.
The four players who make up the Temple defensive front all have starting experience. Juniors Mike Mendenhall and Rodney Wormley start at defensive end. Mendenhall started eight games last fall while Wormley returns to the starting lineup after an injury-riddled 2003 season.
The interior line features senior Antwon Burton and junior Adam Fichter. The pair combined for 10 starts and 48 stops last year. The 6-3, 315-pound Burton broke his foot in camp and will miss the opener. There is a huge dropoff in experience as Burton’s replacement will likely be senior Eric Carpenter. Carpenter is a converted tight end and not only lacks experience but is 60 pounds lighter than Burton.
The secondary is the most vulnerable unit on the Temple defense. Seniors Sadeke Konte and Lawrence Wade are returning starters and preseason All-Big East candidates. Konte will start at the combination linebacker/strong safety position called the Owl, while Wade is officially listed at strong safety.
Junior corners Jonathan McPhee and mid-year junior-college transfer Jermaine Hargraves will both see starting action for the first time Saturday. “McPhee had a great spring and we really liked the way Hargraves competed,” said Wallace.
Matt Douglas, another JUCO transfer who redshirted in 2003, will also see his initial action as a starter against the Cavaliers.
Special Teams
The Temple kicking game left a lot to be desired in 2003 and Wallace is looking for answers. Mike McLaughlin and Jack Henley each may see action at punter, while Roger Prince and Ryan Lux continue to battle for the place-kicking job.
Temple Offense vs. Virginia Defense
Virginia fans will get an early look at just how improved the Cavalier run defense is in 2004. Last season the Owls posted 3.5 yards per carry and had some of their best rushing efforts against top-tier opponents. They ran for 162 yards against Penn State, 150 yards against Miami, 170 yards against West Virginia and pounded the Hokies for 237.
Expect the Owls to try and control the tempo of the game with the run against the ‘Hoos. The biggest challenge for the Cavs will be how they decide to defend Washington. Rich Bedesem will likely see a lot of action, especially on first downs. Kai Parham or Ahmad Brooks will be assigned to shadow Washington on the pass/run optional downs.
Look for a lot of nickel against the Owls as well. The Owls will run a four-wide receiver spread offense similar to the Clemson attack. The aim is to open running lanes for Washington while at the same time attempting to cause chaos in the secondary. The nickel allows Virginia to place its speediest group on the field and the task of mirroring Washington in this set will go to one of the unit’s fastest members, Ahmad Brooks . Dennis Haley will be the primary cover for the underneath routes.
Don’t be surprised if Temple moves the ball on Virginia. Washington has a live arm, big receivers and has proven his running ability against some of the best competition. But the Owls have struggled in the red zone and the Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in the ACC at keeping teams out of the end zone. The Owls will have a hard time scoring and will find sustaining long drives that lead to anything more than field goal attempts difficult.
Temple Defense vs. Virginia Offense
Eight times in 12 games last season the Owls gave up more than 200 rushing yards. There may be no better opportunity for Al Groh to unveil his power running attack than against Temple. Look for Virginia to pound the ball early and try to simply overpower the smaller Temple front line. Also look for the ‘Hoos to take some shots vertically to test the inexperienced corners and try to soften the defense. That should open up the middle for Heath Miller, Jason Snelling and the tailbacks to roam at will.
But don’t look for Virginia to forget about the passing game. As we’ve already noted, Temple has limited experience in the secondary, but especially at cornerback. Groh and offensive coordinator Ron Prince will want to use this game as a comfortable setting to allow Virginia’s young wide receivers and quarterback Marques Hagans a chance to settle into the offense under game conditions.
Virginia will run but the staff will not play keepaway with the running game.
Stone-Cold Lock Prediction
Virginia’s defense has too much speed for the Temple spread offense to be effective. The Cavaliers will be able to contain Washington. After all, they’ve defended an excellent running quarterback all spring and fall so this is not a new wrinkle for them.
UVa’s running game will open the season with an opponent that two years ago owned one of the best run defenses in the country, but that unit floundered a year ago. 2004 will be no different and the Cavaliers will take advantage of that circumstance Saturday. The Owls simply do not have the power to handle the Virginia buffet busters and a 200-yard rushing effort is not out of the question.
The Edge
Quarterbacks – Slight Edge to Temple
Running Backs – Edge Virginia
Wide Receivers – Edge Virginia
Offensive Line – Edge Virginia
Tight Ends – Edge Virginia
Defensive Line – Edge Virginia
Linebackers – Edge Virginia
Secondary – Edge Virginia
Last year eight teams posted 30 or more points against the Owls and three scored more than 40. This is a game where a dominant performance is in order and the Cavaliers will deliver.
Virginia – 35
Temple – 10
(For roster cards, depth charts, news and notes on the game, visit our Virginia-Temple information page),
