Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Opens Training Camp
8.5.11 | Football
Owls Host Villanova in Opener on Sept. 1
Training Camp Roster
Coach Addazio video
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple University football team took the practice field for the first time on Friday afternoon at Chodoff Field in preparation for the 2011 season.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls open the 2011 season with cross-city rival Villanova in the third annual Mayor's Cup, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Temple also hosts Penn State on Sept. 17 at Noon at Lincoln Financial Field. Season tickets for Temple Football are available now for as low as $20 per game by calling the Temple Ticket Sales Office at 215-204-8499 or visit www.OwlsTix.com. Individual game tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
* * *
2011 Season Outlook
The winds of change are blowing through Edberg-Olson Hall this season. After posting back-to-back winning seasons in 2009 and 2010 for the first time since 1978, the Temple Owls have a new leader. On December 23, 2010, Steve Addazio became the Owls' 25th head coach. The 2011 squad returns 19 starters to 13 positions.
Following their 8-4 record and a 5-3 finish in the Mid-American Conference East Division, the Owls are anxious to pick up where they left off last fall and take care of unfinished business. Taking the field this fall are 87 returning student-athletes, including 46 letterwinners and 13 starters. Joining the Owls are nine members of the Local 215 (walk-on) program and two mid-year transfers.
In February, Temple signed 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Geographically, 18 signees came from within TU's recruiting footprint, of which 16 came from within three hours of the Temple campus. Seven student-athletes list their hometown in Pennsylvania and six hail from New Jersey. Five signees hail from Southeastern Pennsylvania, including four from the Philadelphia metro area.
Eleven of the 18 high school signees attended the Temple Football Camp (61%). Two of the signees—Malcolm Eugene and Hershey Walton— enrolled at Temple in January and participated in spring drills.
OFFENSE
The Temple offense returns 12 players to eight starting positions among the 27 lettermen. Under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, assisted by Matt Rhule, TU will utilize a multiple offensive system designed to create a balanced running game and passing game.
Directing the offense are two experienced quarterbacks-- junior Mike Gerardi and senior Chester Stewart.
A walk-on turned starter in 2010, Gerardi finished the season 93-of-156 for 1,290 yards and 10 touchdowns in five starts. He is a tough, unselfish leader who has earned the confidence of his teammates.
As junior, Stewart started the first seven games under center last fall. He went 72-of-135 for 842 yards and four touchdowns.
In addition to the two starters, Loeffler will guide sophomore Chris Coyer and redshirt freshman Connor Reilly. Coyer also saw limited action in five games in 2010, while Reilly redshirted the season.
Newcomers Clinton Granger and Jalen Fitzpatrick will provide depth. Granger, a junior college transfer, was an All-Pacific Conference selection at Pierce College last season. He could compete for the starting nod.
In his first season with the offensive line, coach Justin Frye will guide an experienced troop. The o-line returns 13 players, including six starters.
On the left side, senior Derek Dennis will compete to regain his starting position at guard. Last fall, he took over the starting duties for an injured Steve Caputo, finishing 2010 with seven starts across the line. Sophomore Evan Regas poses a serious threat.
At tackle, senior Pat Boyle is favored to receive a starting role. In 2010, Boyle saw action in every game with five starts at left guard. Sophomore Darryl Pringle, who played in all 12 games with two starts at left tackle, will challenge for the starting nod.
At center, senior John Palumbo will compete with fellow senior Jeremy Schonbrunner. The duo shared the spot last fall with Palumbo starting nine of the 12 games.
There are big shoes to fill on the right side, replacing two-time first-team All-MAC selections Colin Madison and Darius Morris. Expect senior Wayne Tribue and junior Sean Boyle to compete for starting roles at guard. Tribue saw action at center last fall, while Boyle missed the 2010 season with an injury.
At tackle, junior Martin Wallace is expected to take over fulltime starting duties. He played in all 12 games with two starts at left tackle. Redshirt freshman Joe Cenatiempo will provide relief.
Sophomore Scott Roorda and freshman Hershey Walton will provide serious competition at all spots. Others competing for time are redshirt freshmen Elijah Grant, Jake Lane, and Adam Metz. Freshmen Zach Hooks, Eric Lofton, Jacob Quinn, and Will Rathbone will provide depth.
In his first season with the tight ends, coach Matt Rhule has a veteran list of candidates. Seniors Evan Rodriguez and Matt Balasavage are expected to receive tough competition for their starting roles. A first-team All-MAC honoree, Rodriguez started nine games last fall, finishing as the top TE in receiving and third overall with 247 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions. A three-year starter, Balasavage played in 10 games with four starts last fall.
Also competing for time will sophomores Cody Booth, Matt Brookhart, Alex Jackson, and Chris Parthemore. All saw significant playing time at tight end in 2010.
Fifth-year coach Tyree Foreman returns a youthful but experienced backfield heading into 2011. The junior tandem of Matt Brown and Bernard Pierce anchors the speedy runners. A second-team All-MAC selection, Brown led the Owls with 830 yards and seven touchdowns on 162 carries a year ago in seven starts. A first-team All-MAC honoree, Pierce followed with 728 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns on 154 carries.
Adding depth to the running game are junior Ahkeem Smith, who played in 11 games last fall, redshirt freshman Myron Myles, and freshman Spencer Reid.
First-year coach Zach Smith has a plethora of talent in his receiving arsenal. Senior Rod Streater is expected to return to his starting role. In his first season for the Cherry and White, Streater was named the team's 2010 Newcomer of the Year after finishing second in receiving with 481 yards and four touchdowns on 30 receptions.
Several Owls will be lining up to replace starter and All-MAC pick Michael Campbell. Senior Joe Jones, who played sparingly last fall with a nagging injury, looks to regain his starting role from 2009.
Sophomores Ryan Alderman, Tomas Cabrera, and Deon Miller, and junior C.J. Hammond will vie for playing time. Junior Darryl Shine, sophomore Michael Doty, and redshirt freshman Brett Pierce, as well as newcomers Robbie Anderson, John Christopher, Daquan Cooper, Tyron Harris, and Eugene Malcolm, round out the list of receivers.
DEFENSE
The Temple defense needs to reload, losing four All-MAC selections. The Owls return 26 letterwinners, including seven starters to five positions. Under the guidance of first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Heater, the Owls will be led by two-time first-team All-MAC honoree Adrian Robinson.
As a junior last fall, the 2009 MAC Defensive Player of the Year started all 12 games at right end, one of just seven Owls to start every game. He had 38 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 3.5 sacks. Junior Marcus Green will compete for playing time.
First-year line coach Sean Cronin has three players with experience to cover the left side. After playing tight end in 2010, senior Morkeith Brown moved back to defensive end during spring drills. Brown played in all 12 games with nine starts. Senior Morris Blueford is expected to challenge for starting time, too.
At tackle, Cronin will look for strength to fill the spots vacated by first-team All-MAC honorees Eli Joseph and Muhammad Wilkerson. Prime candidates are redshirt freshman Jaimen Newman and sophomore Kamal Johnson, who took the reigns in two games last fall. Junior Kadeem Custis, who started four games a year ago, will likely take over at nose tackle. Following significant action last fall, sophomore Levi Brown will also compete for playing time.
Looking for playing time are redshirt freshmen Jaimen Newman, Wanemi Omuso, and Dante Weaver, junior Byron Rutherford, sophomore Dan Van Norton, and sophomores Sean Daniels, Shahid Paulhill, and Jeff Whittingham. Freshmen Ari Nwobi and Khadeem Wilson will add depth.
Taking over the linebacking corps this year are Ben Albert (outside) and Sean McGowan (inside). Strong in numbers, the linebackers also return tremendous game experience.
On the outside, seniors Tahir Whitehead and Quinten White, Jr., are expected to move into starting roles. Whitehead saw action in every game with eight starts in 2010, racking up 56 tackles, including 7.5 TFL. White saw action in 11 contests with two starts and will look to replace four-year starter Amara Kamara.
In the middle, senior Stephen Johnson could regain his starting role. The walk-on played in every game last fall with three starts.
Expected to compete for time will be sophomores Olaniyi Adewole, Wyatt Benson, Blaze Caponegro, Matt Falcone, and Gary Onuekwusi. Newcomers Brandon Chudnoff, Tom Long, Praise Martin-Oguike, and Nate Smith will provide depth.
The secondary, under the guidance of Heater, is stacked with experience.
At strong safety junior Justin Gildea is expected to resume his starting role. Gildea started eight games, had 58 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Redshirt freshmen Brian Burns should challenge for playing time.
Heater will have to fill the starting role at free safety vacated by first-team All-MAC pick Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Senior Kevin Kroboth, who started six games at strong safety last fall, is expected to take over. He racked up 31 tackles in 2010. Junior Vaughn Carraway is expected to challenge for the starting nod.
At corner, senior Kee-ayre Griffin and junior Maurice Jones are expected to lead the pack. Griffin saw action in all 12 games in 2010, starting 10 games. He had 51 tackles and three break-ups. Jones played in 10 games.
Sophomore Zamel Johnson and senior Anthony Robey will compete for starting roles in the secondary. Providing depth to the defensive backs will be seniors David Abror, Shane Howell, James Nixon, and Deonte Parker, and sophomore Abdul Smith, as well as freshmen Kenneth Harper and Chris Hutton.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to coaching the wide receivers, Zach Smith will coordinate the Owls' special teams.
Returning for his junior season is placekicker Brandon McManus. The Owls' scoring leader each of the last two seasons, McManus handled the Owls' field goals, extra points, and kickoffs.
Smith will need to replace four-year punter Jeff Wathne who graduated. Freshmen kickers Christian Guinan Nick Holland, and Tyler Mayes are expected to help with the Owls' kicking game.
Coach Addazio video
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple University football team took the practice field for the first time on Friday afternoon at Chodoff Field in preparation for the 2011 season.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Steve Addazio, Temple returns 46 lettermen, including 13 starters. The Owls open the 2011 season with cross-city rival Villanova in the third annual Mayor's Cup, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Temple also hosts Penn State on Sept. 17 at Noon at Lincoln Financial Field. Season tickets for Temple Football are available now for as low as $20 per game by calling the Temple Ticket Sales Office at 215-204-8499 or visit www.OwlsTix.com. Individual game tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
* * *
2011 Season Outlook
The winds of change are blowing through Edberg-Olson Hall this season. After posting back-to-back winning seasons in 2009 and 2010 for the first time since 1978, the Temple Owls have a new leader. On December 23, 2010, Steve Addazio became the Owls' 25th head coach. The 2011 squad returns 19 starters to 13 positions.
Following their 8-4 record and a 5-3 finish in the Mid-American Conference East Division, the Owls are anxious to pick up where they left off last fall and take care of unfinished business. Taking the field this fall are 87 returning student-athletes, including 46 letterwinners and 13 starters. Joining the Owls are nine members of the Local 215 (walk-on) program and two mid-year transfers.
In February, Temple signed 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Geographically, 18 signees came from within TU's recruiting footprint, of which 16 came from within three hours of the Temple campus. Seven student-athletes list their hometown in Pennsylvania and six hail from New Jersey. Five signees hail from Southeastern Pennsylvania, including four from the Philadelphia metro area.
Eleven of the 18 high school signees attended the Temple Football Camp (61%). Two of the signees—Malcolm Eugene and Hershey Walton— enrolled at Temple in January and participated in spring drills.
OFFENSE
The Temple offense returns 12 players to eight starting positions among the 27 lettermen. Under the direction of first-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, assisted by Matt Rhule, TU will utilize a multiple offensive system designed to create a balanced running game and passing game.
Directing the offense are two experienced quarterbacks-- junior Mike Gerardi and senior Chester Stewart.
A walk-on turned starter in 2010, Gerardi finished the season 93-of-156 for 1,290 yards and 10 touchdowns in five starts. He is a tough, unselfish leader who has earned the confidence of his teammates.
As junior, Stewart started the first seven games under center last fall. He went 72-of-135 for 842 yards and four touchdowns.
In addition to the two starters, Loeffler will guide sophomore Chris Coyer and redshirt freshman Connor Reilly. Coyer also saw limited action in five games in 2010, while Reilly redshirted the season.
Newcomers Clinton Granger and Jalen Fitzpatrick will provide depth. Granger, a junior college transfer, was an All-Pacific Conference selection at Pierce College last season. He could compete for the starting nod.
In his first season with the offensive line, coach Justin Frye will guide an experienced troop. The o-line returns 13 players, including six starters.
On the left side, senior Derek Dennis will compete to regain his starting position at guard. Last fall, he took over the starting duties for an injured Steve Caputo, finishing 2010 with seven starts across the line. Sophomore Evan Regas poses a serious threat.
At tackle, senior Pat Boyle is favored to receive a starting role. In 2010, Boyle saw action in every game with five starts at left guard. Sophomore Darryl Pringle, who played in all 12 games with two starts at left tackle, will challenge for the starting nod.
At center, senior John Palumbo will compete with fellow senior Jeremy Schonbrunner. The duo shared the spot last fall with Palumbo starting nine of the 12 games.
There are big shoes to fill on the right side, replacing two-time first-team All-MAC selections Colin Madison and Darius Morris. Expect senior Wayne Tribue and junior Sean Boyle to compete for starting roles at guard. Tribue saw action at center last fall, while Boyle missed the 2010 season with an injury.
At tackle, junior Martin Wallace is expected to take over fulltime starting duties. He played in all 12 games with two starts at left tackle. Redshirt freshman Joe Cenatiempo will provide relief.
Sophomore Scott Roorda and freshman Hershey Walton will provide serious competition at all spots. Others competing for time are redshirt freshmen Elijah Grant, Jake Lane, and Adam Metz. Freshmen Zach Hooks, Eric Lofton, Jacob Quinn, and Will Rathbone will provide depth.
In his first season with the tight ends, coach Matt Rhule has a veteran list of candidates. Seniors Evan Rodriguez and Matt Balasavage are expected to receive tough competition for their starting roles. A first-team All-MAC honoree, Rodriguez started nine games last fall, finishing as the top TE in receiving and third overall with 247 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions. A three-year starter, Balasavage played in 10 games with four starts last fall.
Also competing for time will sophomores Cody Booth, Matt Brookhart, Alex Jackson, and Chris Parthemore. All saw significant playing time at tight end in 2010.
Fifth-year coach Tyree Foreman returns a youthful but experienced backfield heading into 2011. The junior tandem of Matt Brown and Bernard Pierce anchors the speedy runners. A second-team All-MAC selection, Brown led the Owls with 830 yards and seven touchdowns on 162 carries a year ago in seven starts. A first-team All-MAC honoree, Pierce followed with 728 yards and a team-best 10 touchdowns on 154 carries.
Adding depth to the running game are junior Ahkeem Smith, who played in 11 games last fall, redshirt freshman Myron Myles, and freshman Spencer Reid.
First-year coach Zach Smith has a plethora of talent in his receiving arsenal. Senior Rod Streater is expected to return to his starting role. In his first season for the Cherry and White, Streater was named the team's 2010 Newcomer of the Year after finishing second in receiving with 481 yards and four touchdowns on 30 receptions.
Several Owls will be lining up to replace starter and All-MAC pick Michael Campbell. Senior Joe Jones, who played sparingly last fall with a nagging injury, looks to regain his starting role from 2009.
Sophomores Ryan Alderman, Tomas Cabrera, and Deon Miller, and junior C.J. Hammond will vie for playing time. Junior Darryl Shine, sophomore Michael Doty, and redshirt freshman Brett Pierce, as well as newcomers Robbie Anderson, John Christopher, Daquan Cooper, Tyron Harris, and Eugene Malcolm, round out the list of receivers.
DEFENSE
The Temple defense needs to reload, losing four All-MAC selections. The Owls return 26 letterwinners, including seven starters to five positions. Under the guidance of first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Heater, the Owls will be led by two-time first-team All-MAC honoree Adrian Robinson.
As a junior last fall, the 2009 MAC Defensive Player of the Year started all 12 games at right end, one of just seven Owls to start every game. He had 38 tackles, 4.5 TFL, and 3.5 sacks. Junior Marcus Green will compete for playing time.
First-year line coach Sean Cronin has three players with experience to cover the left side. After playing tight end in 2010, senior Morkeith Brown moved back to defensive end during spring drills. Brown played in all 12 games with nine starts. Senior Morris Blueford is expected to challenge for starting time, too.
At tackle, Cronin will look for strength to fill the spots vacated by first-team All-MAC honorees Eli Joseph and Muhammad Wilkerson. Prime candidates are redshirt freshman Jaimen Newman and sophomore Kamal Johnson, who took the reigns in two games last fall. Junior Kadeem Custis, who started four games a year ago, will likely take over at nose tackle. Following significant action last fall, sophomore Levi Brown will also compete for playing time.
Looking for playing time are redshirt freshmen Jaimen Newman, Wanemi Omuso, and Dante Weaver, junior Byron Rutherford, sophomore Dan Van Norton, and sophomores Sean Daniels, Shahid Paulhill, and Jeff Whittingham. Freshmen Ari Nwobi and Khadeem Wilson will add depth.
Taking over the linebacking corps this year are Ben Albert (outside) and Sean McGowan (inside). Strong in numbers, the linebackers also return tremendous game experience.
On the outside, seniors Tahir Whitehead and Quinten White, Jr., are expected to move into starting roles. Whitehead saw action in every game with eight starts in 2010, racking up 56 tackles, including 7.5 TFL. White saw action in 11 contests with two starts and will look to replace four-year starter Amara Kamara.
In the middle, senior Stephen Johnson could regain his starting role. The walk-on played in every game last fall with three starts.
Expected to compete for time will be sophomores Olaniyi Adewole, Wyatt Benson, Blaze Caponegro, Matt Falcone, and Gary Onuekwusi. Newcomers Brandon Chudnoff, Tom Long, Praise Martin-Oguike, and Nate Smith will provide depth.
The secondary, under the guidance of Heater, is stacked with experience.
At strong safety junior Justin Gildea is expected to resume his starting role. Gildea started eight games, had 58 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Redshirt freshmen Brian Burns should challenge for playing time.
Heater will have to fill the starting role at free safety vacated by first-team All-MAC pick Jaiquawn Jarrett.
Senior Kevin Kroboth, who started six games at strong safety last fall, is expected to take over. He racked up 31 tackles in 2010. Junior Vaughn Carraway is expected to challenge for the starting nod.
At corner, senior Kee-ayre Griffin and junior Maurice Jones are expected to lead the pack. Griffin saw action in all 12 games in 2010, starting 10 games. He had 51 tackles and three break-ups. Jones played in 10 games.
Sophomore Zamel Johnson and senior Anthony Robey will compete for starting roles in the secondary. Providing depth to the defensive backs will be seniors David Abror, Shane Howell, James Nixon, and Deonte Parker, and sophomore Abdul Smith, as well as freshmen Kenneth Harper and Chris Hutton.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to coaching the wide receivers, Zach Smith will coordinate the Owls' special teams.
Returning for his junior season is placekicker Brandon McManus. The Owls' scoring leader each of the last two seasons, McManus handled the Owls' field goals, extra points, and kickoffs.
Smith will need to replace four-year punter Jeff Wathne who graduated. Freshmen kickers Christian Guinan Nick Holland, and Tyler Mayes are expected to help with the Owls' kicking game.
Ep. 27: Men's Crew Student-Athlete Adam Curran
Thursday, December 11
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Connor Gal & Jordan Mason)
Wednesday, December 10
MBB Press Conference vs. Georgian Court (Adam Fisher)
Wednesday, December 10
Ep. 26: Klein College Graduate & Play-by-Play Commentator Ray Dunne
Friday, December 05
