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DE
Mike Mendenhall |
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2004
Statistics |
Coach:
Bobby Wallace
19-60,
7 years |
2004
Record: 2-9 |
|
VIRGINIA |
LOST
14-44 |
at
Maryland |
LOST
22-45 |
FLORIDA
A&M |
WON
38-7 |
at
Toledo |
LOST
17-45 |
BOWLING
GREEN |
LOST
16-70 |
PITTSBURGH |
LOST
22-27 |
at
Rutgers |
LOST
6-16 |
at
Connecticut |
LOST
31-45 |
at
West Virginia |
LOST
21-42 |
SYRACUSE |
WON
34-24 |
BOSTON
COLLEGE |
LOST
17-34 |
|
2004
Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2005
Outlook |
With
the uncertainty of this program, it is time
to flash forward to what the cards hold
for the school. After the Owls were booted
from a Big East already struggling to make
up for the defections of Miami (Fla.), Virginia
Tech and Boston College, football appears/ed
to be in peril here. The university looked
into folding the program during the winter,
as three players (including Washington and
Rian Wallace) decided to leave early for
a try at the NFL. When the team may not
even continue to exist, on-field dilemmas
seem both exponential and trivial, simultaneously,
in importance to solve for any kid –
a player must think, “if I fail, the
team may fold” while at the same time
reacting to “how our off-field situation
seems more important than the games themselves”,
an unfair combination of pressures to put
on these 18-22 year olds. Bobby Wallace,
in the final season of his contract, won't
even discuss his future. All of these intangibles
make the glass “half empty”,
for sure.
The
50-year-old coach, who recruited Bo Jackson
at Auburn and won three Division II national
titles at North Alabama, deserves better.
It won't happen this year, not with nine
bowl-eligible teams from '04 on the schedule.
But there are rays of hope for the years
beyond -- the program is apparently headed
for the Mid-American Conference, where it
would fit in much better. (Lincoln Financial
Field would have to impress a MAC recruit).
Like
last fall, this would be a great time to
make an on-field statement. That appeared
more likely a year ago, when Washington
and Rian Wallace were legit talents leading
their respective sides (of the ball) that
seemingly had fewer holes than this year's
group. Looking at their ACC- and MAC-rich
schedule, there's really no gimme, with
the possible exception of Middle Tennessee
State.
There's
potential here for an upset, maybe two.
Remember, this team ruined a possible BCS
bid for Syracuse last fall. Those small
steps are the best-case scenario for a program
that has a long way to go. Hopefully for
Temple fans, Bobby Wallace remains to see
a successful transition to the MAC in 2006.
For
college football fans, it is scary to think
that this formula could be repeated and
essentially dissolve any team that does
not play well enough. As any quality coach
teaches, there is as much to learn in losing
as winning, and if we genuinely think we
are progressing within student-athletics
(if Temple football is the example), then
embracing a team’s losing nature and
making it into a winner is the answer to
situations like this, not dissolving these
kid’s chance at scholarship athletics.
The
NCAA needs to make sure that, like it does
when an athlete accepts free shoelaces or
an unauthorized ride to practice, it applies
itself to this situation so that, for all,
decisions are ultimately made to protect
the participating players and therefore
the (longterm) integrity of the game, and
ultimately each participating I-A program
(who would be next?) Like the baseball example
of the Montreal Expos, stepping in to secure
the team’s continued existence would
signal the governing bodies want for these
scholarship players to get the academic-athletic
experience for which they gave of themselves
in their prime years. For such a quality
academic institution, this would be a sad
ending if allowed to play out.
Projected
2005 record: 2-9
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RB
Tim Brown |
TEMPLE
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3 |
DL
- 2.5 |
RB
- 3 |
LB
- 1 |
WR
- 2 |
DB
- 2.5 |
OL
- 2.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Mike McGann, 12-7-0, 165 yds., 1 TD
Rushing: Umar Ferguson, 104 att.,
493 yds., 2 TD
Receiving: Tim Brown, 33 rec., 199
yds., 1 TD
Scoring: Ryan Lux, 9-17 FG, 27-28
PAT, 54 pts.
Punting: Mike McLaughlin, 34 punts,
36.5 avg.
Kicking: Ryan Lux, 9-17 FG, 27-28
PAT, 54 pts.
Tackles: Durrel Davis, 77 tot., 38
solo
Sacks: Mike Mendenhall, 3.5 sacks
Interceptions: Jermaine Hargraves,
2 for 14 yds.; Andrew Turner, 2 for 0 yds.
Kickoff returns: Travis Shelton,
13 ret., 20.4 avg., 0 TD
Punt returns: Tim Brown, 5 ret.,
2.4 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
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OFFENSE
- 5 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 7 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Phil Goodman-WR, Ikey Chuku-WR, Buchie Ibeh-WR,
C.J. Blomvall-C, Frank McAndrew-OG, Jamil
Porter-KR, Walter Washington-QB (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
A.J.
Lindsay-DT, Eric Carpenter-DT, Troy Bennett-SLB,
Sadeke Konte-OS, Lawrence Wade-SS, Rian Wallace-WLB
(NFL) |
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2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
The
early leap of Walter Washington to the NFL is
softened, somewhat, by the return of former starter
Mike McCann for a fifth season. The red-headed
drop-back bomber has 26 starts on his résumé,
having held the job in 2002 and half of '03 before
being replaced by the more versatile Washington,
who then became the team's offense. McCann has
the experience and tools to be a solid passer,
especially as Temple goes from the spread to a
more conservative two-back look. He'll have to
cut down on critical mistakes, something coach
Bobby Wallace has said occurred once or twice
per practice this spring. His 37:22 INT: TD ratio
says much. Any mistakes will hurt his role as
the elder leader of this offense, an important
role usually, but especially critical, for an
offense lacking confidence. With no depth to write
about here, his teammates’ confidence (in
his abilities) becomes vital.
Running
Back
Tim
Brown, who scored the game-winning TD in the “Cherry
and White” game, emerged as the starter
after having a solid spring. The former Juco all-American
started all but one game last fall, looking less
special then than he did at C.C. of San Francisco.
With leading rusher Washington gone, and the no-huddle
one-back spread replaced with the “I”,
look for Brown to resemble his Heisman-winning
namesake a little more. The slick speedster will
again be a top target out of the backfield, but
he'll need to use those jets to do more after
catching the ball. Umar Ferguson, the team's No.
2 rusher behind Washington, should see his share
of carries out of the fullback spot while using
his power to open holes for Brown. Unfortunately
for Wallace, Ferguson was knocked out of spring
practice on day one, so we'll have to wait to
see who comes out at the FB position.
Receiver
This
group is thin and relatively inexperienced, increasing
Brown's importance in the passing game. Last year's
top three wideouts are gone, leaving junior sprinter
Jamel Harris (Z) as the closest things to a deep
threat. Brian Allbrooks (Y), the top returning
wideout (20 catches), has some starting experience
and should be the go-to target. Mike Holley, a
small converted-QB with nice speed, takes over
at the X and should be a decent option on short
routes. Juco-transfers Chris Bryant, Rony Saintil
and Fred Lee will provide much needed depth. Overall,
this group will be overmatched much of the time
against the level of opposition on the schedule
and will need plenty of help from the running
game.
Tight
End
The
TE will likely be used a little more under new
OC Willie Slater. Then again, that's not saying
much -- this position has accounted for only nine
grabs in the last three seasons, combined. RS
freshman Leyon Azubuike took advantage of senior
Anthony Martinez's absence (recovering from knee
surgery) to move atop the depth chart. Lining
up opposite (NationalChamps.net honorable mention
preseason all-American DE) Mike Mendenhall, Azubuike
was/is forced to improve as a blocker. It's an
even better sign that he was picked as one of
the most improved players on offense this spring.
It probably wasn't for his hands, though -- he
caught one pass in each of the two intrasquad
scrimmages and was shut out in the Cherry and
White game.
Offensive
Line
Four-fifths
of this unit (which improved slightly on a disastrous
’03 effort) return. But with a less mobile
QB behind them, the sacks (29 allowed last fall)
could be back on the rise. The line has a decent
set of bookends in tackles John Gross and Elliot
Seifert, both strong guys who have been academic
all-Big East picks, while returning RG Stephen
Bell missed all of the spring with mono. The big
question heading into the spring was center, which
was apparently answered by the improved play of
redshirt freshman Alex Derenthal. This group hasn't
shown it can thrive on pass protection, so quicker
releases from McCann and greater use of the run
would be wise.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
a fifth-year guy at QB, don't expect many changes
in the passing scheme under Slater, who directed
Wallace's offenses at North Alabama. However,
with a thin WR corps and a line that's inconsistent
in pass protection, Slater would be wise to rely
more on the ground game, as he's promised. Bell
and Ferguson could be a thunder-and-lightning
combo, and the line at least has experience, depth
and cohesion on its side. Unlike previous years,
the pass should now be used to set up the run.
With a meek-looking defense, scoring just 21.6
points per game and failing 73 percent of the
time on third-downs just won't cut it. Because
he's the closest thing to a playmaker left after
Washington's departure, Bell will be used as much
as possible to keep opposing defenses off guard.
But it all starts with McCann, who must play like
the fifth-year senior he is while avoiding the
injuries that have plagued him.
|
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OT
John Gross
|
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TEMPLE
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Mike
McGann-Sr (6-6, 225) |
Philip
Simpson-So (6-2, 255) |
RB |
Tim
Brown-Sr (5-8, 185) |
Umar
Ferguson-Sr (6-0, 215)
Michael Billops-Sr (5-8, 184) |
WR |
Mike
Holley-Sr (5-10, 180) |
Michael
Loveland-Jr (5-0, 185) |
WR |
Brian
Allbrooks-Sr (5-11, 180) |
Lester
Shelton-Jr (5-10, 180) |
WR |
Jamel
Harris-Jr (6-1, 185) |
Bruce
Gordon-Jr (5-11, 190) |
TE |
Leyon
Azubuike-Fr (6-3, 235) |
Anthony
Martinez-Sr (6-4, 250) |
OT |
John
Gross-Sr (6-6, 295) |
Tariq
Sanders-Jr (6-6, 310) |
OG |
Sam
McNaulty-Jr (6-3, 320) |
Leigh
Denman-Jr (6-6, 315) |
C |
Alex
Derenthal-Fr (6-4, 280) |
Joe
Johnsonbaugh-Sr (6-0, 285) |
OG |
Stephen
Bell-Sr (6-4, 310) |
Stan
Primus-Sr (6-4, 315) |
OT |
Elliot
Seifert-Jr (6-7, 300) |
Jabari
Ferguson-Fr (6-4, 290) |
K |
Ryan
Lux-Sr (6-3, 200) |
Danny
Murphy-So (5-8, 170) |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
This
is the strength of an otherwise questionable defense.
Mendenhall is the best player on this team, though
the Owls could use a little more than the 3.5
sacks he produced last fall (Temple accounted
for just 13 sacks, overall). He'll have more help,
though, with the return of senior NT Antwon Burton
(broken foot), who had a solid spring. DT Adam
Fichter and DE Rodney Wormley aren't quite as
strong and athletic as Mendenhall and Burton,
but they're close. Expect to see LB Christian
Dunbar, who started at TE last year, moved up
as a rush end on a frequent basis to improve that
anemic pass rush and take the double-team off
Mendenhall. Depth is a problem, especially as
Fichter struggles with a stress fracture in his
leg. Nehemiah Ingram, a 6-8, 275-pound walk-on
from John Chaney's (roundball) squad, is an X-factor.
He looked tough “gooning it up” on
the hardwood, but hasn't played organized football
since ninth grade. Obviously, he follows coaches’
instruction(s) well.
Linebacker
DC
Raymond Monica needs someone to step up after
the loss of both starters. Look for redshirt freshman
Rick Costa, listed at No. 2 behind converted lineman
Manuel Tapia at WILL, to work his way into the
starting lineup. Bobby Wallace was impressed with
his ability to cover ground and deliver big blows.
Dunbar is a more athletic option at SAM than current
starter Ryan Gore. This young unit should be quick,
aggressive and deep, and the experience up front
will free them up to make plays. In the Cherry
and White game, the offense was limited to 3.8
yards per carry, but ... that was inter-squad,
and foes will assuredly bring more wood (weekly).
Defensive
Back
Unfortunately,
these guys often made McCann’s look like
Joe Montana this spring. There must be drastic
improvement, especially considering the number
of pass-happy teams they will be facing. Three
of the seven faces (who saw significant starts)
in Temple’s five-DB sets are gone, which
is mixed fare for a 94th-ranked pass defense (111th
in efficiency) that grabbed just eight picks.
Though his tackling can be erratic, FS Durrel
Davis is a good hitter and the unit's leader.
Both outside safeties will be inexperienced, but
the move of Miami-native Willie Hardemon to SS
from FS (to back up senior Bobby Fulmore) should
help. Bobby Wallace likes his corners, four of
which have started, so light defines this tunnel’s
end. Andrew Turner is an athletic player who should
be the top cover guy, while Ray Lamb, who missed
the spring with a knee injury, could be a nice
complement if healthy. The speed of the LB corps
should help stymie underneath routes, while the
line looks ready to offer a quicker pass rush.
There's some reason for optimism here, but, most
likely, these guys will find themselves repeatedly
overmatched and overcooked.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
the exception of the front four, this defense
will find itself in plenty of mismatches due to
a talent deficit. Offenses will look to pick apart
that nickel defense through the air, opening up
the run. So, the key will be in devising zone
schemes that confuse opposing QBs enough while
hoping for an improved pass rush and run D. Wishful
thinking? Most likely, yes. Unless there was some
serious addition by subtraction among the five
departed starters, it's quite likely this defense
could be as bad as the one that allowed nearly
440 yards and 37 points per game last fall.
|
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DB
Durrel Davis
|
|
|
TEMPLE
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Mike
Mendenhall-Sr (6-3, 250) |
J.C.
Braker-Sr (6-5, 240) |
NT |
Antwon
Burton-Sr (6-3, 315) |
Randy
Johnson-Sr (6-1, 305) |
DT |
Adam
Fichter-Sr (6-4, 300) |
Neil
Dickson-Jr (6-4, 280) |
DE |
Rodney
Wormley-Sr (6-3, 240) |
.. |
SLB |
Ryan
Gore-Jr (6-0, 225) |
Vince
Yasenchak-So (6-1, 245)
Christian Dunbar-Sr (6-2, 235) (TE) |
WLB |
Manuel
Tapia-Sr (6-3, 235) |
Rick
Costa-Fr (6-1, 235) |
OWL |
Justin
Johnson-Sr (6-1, 205) |
Lambert
Watts-Sr (5-11, 185) |
CB |
Andrew
Turner-Sr (6-0, 185) |
Jermaine
Hargraves-Sr (5-10, 175) |
CB |
Ray
Lamb-Sr (5-10, 185) |
David
Reese-Jr (5-10, 175) |
SS |
Bobby
Fulmore-Sr (6-0, 200) |
Willie
Hardemon-So (5-10, 170) |
FS |
Durrel
Davis-Jr (5-11, 185) |
Garrett
Schultz-Jr (5-11, 185) |
P |
Jake
Hendy-Sr (6-4, 225) |
Mike
McLaughlin-Sr (6-1, 215) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Ryan
Lux, a Juco all-American two years ago, must live up
to expectations. He struggled last year, missing five
times within 39 yards, including two within 29. Kickoff
coverage became a disaster, slipping from tops in the
Big East to 108th nationally. On the bright side, he
was a big improvement on PATs, hitting all but one…but
the Owls need to be sharper than this to win close ones.
Punter
The
erratic duo of Jake Hendy and Mike McLaughlin, who shared
duties in '04, each return after booting Temple to a
94th I-A ranking in net punting. On the bright side,
no blocks and just one return for a TD. A little improvement
with age isn't too much to ask, especially with a defense
that needs the field position help.
Return
Game
Graduations
leave Brown as the top choice here. He didn't do much
in either situation on eight tries, and the return groups
as a whole were mediocre. But Brown, who also struggled
to break through as a RB in his first year out of junior
college, has nice open-field quickness and is a decent
bet to improve.
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