2003 Statistics

Quarterback
This offense lives or dies with Walter (not the Wolfman, you New Orleanians) Washington, perhaps the nation's most exciting quarterback playing for a major-conference bottom dweller. A JUCO star two years ago at Dodge City (Kan.), he carries plenty of pop at 6-2, 240, and also has jets with 4.6 speed. Despite taking over at starter with four games remaining, Washington ran for enough yards (579) to lead this team. He's made some big throws in tight games, but his accuracy (53 percent) has to improve before he's a truly balanced threat. With a year to better master Bobby Wallace's spread, expect improved throwing numbers, and expect Walter to provide some more oohs and aahs from Owl fans. The man he replaced, now-senior Mike McGann, is the Owl's third all-time passer (yardage), but will take a backseat to WW, the future of the program.

Running Back
Temple designates its lone runner behind the QB a "superback," an indication that this guy is expected to do everything. The position will once again figure heavily into the passing game, but it'd be nice if someone other than Washington would run for a few yards once in a while. Starter Umar Ferguson and JUCO transfer (and JC Grid-Wire first-team all-American) Tim Brown (4.5 speed) will each get plenty of reps and provide a thunder-and-lightning mix, respectively. Last year, it was more like milk-and-cookies, as the backs combined for just 784 ground yards. Brown, busy running for 8.0 per carry at City College of San Francisco wasn't part of that group. A threat in the passing attack, as is needed for the Owls, he's the best bet to take some heat off Washington.

Wide Receiver
Washington knows his receiving corps is deep, which is a confidence key in this pass-happy attack. Big, fast and experienced, X-receiver Phil Goodman is the top all-around guy. Z-man Butchie Ibeh is the deep threat; his 6-4 frame and program-record 41.5-inch vertical make him a tough assignment. At the Y, oft-injured Ikey Chuku is back for a sixth year and is a nice possession target. Converted corner Mike Holley and four incoming JUCO-transfers will bolster this group and help it spread things out for a fleet-footed QB.

Tight End
Surprisingly for this offense, TE is usually last on Washington's check-down list. TEs have garnered five catches in the past two campaigns, so…former quarterback, Collin Hannigan, along with converted-DE Christian Dunbar, will be used mostly to keep defenders off Washington and to open up the occasional hole when the Owls actually decide to hand it off.

Offensive Line
This unit underwent a much-needed makeover after giving up 36 sacks (second-worst in the Big East) and 319 yards in TFLs. Expect improvement with three starters back and an offseason to get used to blocking for a QB with happy feet. Former Swedish marine C.J. Blomvall, a starter at guard who averaged three pancakes per game, will be moved to center to anchor the group. The tackles are solid with the return of Chris Harris (10 starts, one sack allowed) on the right, and Elliot Seifert (no relation to George) on the left. The guards needed help, so John Gross, who started at left tackle after Seifert was injured in the opener, was moved inside. The rest of this group is big, but inexperienced. If some key people go down, Washington will be running more than even he'd like.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
With the defense in tatters, the Owls, appropriately enough, had to lean on the 'O'. Oops…Temple went 1-11. But with seven starters back, and an evolving Washington at the helm, this unit is better capable of shouldering that load. Washington will be tough to account for, and he has plenty of weapons to spread things around. More accuracy in the passing game, some balance on the ground and improving a pitiful 26.5 percent third-down conversion rate are measuring sticks for how much improvement the victory column sees. Another "must improve" area that will certainly help is their need to score early - only 21 out of their 235 total points in 2003 were earned in the first quarter. More than 30 TDs will be needed for the Owl's record to improve, and you can be assured they hit that "over". This has the makings of an exciting group, at least by Temple standards. We think they will be more than just the doormat of the Big East due primarily to growth on this side of the pigskin.

Defensive Line
Rubin (not the Hurricane, you boxing fans) Carter brings 17 years as both a college and pro assistant, along with 12 seasons as an NFL lineman, to the staff. He'll be looked upon to improve a unit that wasn't very tough due to injuries and inexperience. One of the wounded, DE Rodney Wormley, is back and should be the leader of the group. Wormley put on 15 pounds of bulk and should provide the pass-rushing threat this unit needs. Inversely, run-stopping NT Antwon Burton dropped 15 and looks ready to improve. Mike Mendenhall is back at rush end, but has just two career sacks. Despite having a pair of stud linebackers, Temple was last in the Big East in rushing defense, so returning so many starters will be a mixed blessing if the maturing process hasn't taken place. Their battle scars have to instill the fortitude necessary to compete with the conference's top teams, or the DL again will be the removed lynch-pin that unhitches Temple's wagon.

Linebacker
Shhh, we're going to let you in on a little secret ... Temple has one of the nation's best starting LB groups. Yes, Temple! Here's why - Rian 'Goo' Wallace is a star waiting to happen on the weakside, and senior Troy Bennett is as steady as they come on the strongside (yeah, and the Owls only start two 'backers). Quick and mean, 'Goo' was one of the few players who showed up on an awful defense (148 tackles, 19.5 TFLs). Unlike his counterpart, Bennett might not get NFL looks, but he has plenty of experience (35 starts) and strength (430-pound bench, 610-pound squat). As good as these two are, imagine what they'd do with a better line. Just two means they will be working overtime and will be playing catch-up much of the time.

Defensive Back
Four of this unit's five starters are back, but these guys have to be dramatically better for this team to go anywhere. Three of the four returning starters were Juco transfers last year, which might explain some improvement in the pass defense by late in the season. At 227 yards allowed per game, it ended up fifth in the Big East. The leaders here are CB Pete McBride, who will be the top cover guy, and SS Lawrence Wade, a big hitter who seems to be done adjusting since switching from running back last campaign. Starting CB Ray Lamb was dropped from the depth chart after injuring his left knee early in the spring game. Replacement Jonathan McPhee has the physical tools to do the job and played in all 12 2003 games, so he should not miss a beat.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
A top-20 defense in 2001 and '02, this until plummeted to 95th. Temple was last in the conference in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense and stopping opponents on third down. Couple this with allowing a cumulative 122 points in the first quarter (while scoring only 21 - see offensive overview), and Temple seemingly has only themselves to look to for why they struggled. We expect the nine returning starters to do better. They showed signs of such in the Cherry-White Game, which ended 17-14 despite five defensive starters not playing. Like Washington on offense, Rian Wallace is a top-notch player around which to build, but he can't do it alone. The line has to provide more pressure and clog the run, and the secondary must continue to improve. Best-case scenario - the 'D' improves from awful to adequate, which would also lead to at least a few more wins.