Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Football Takes on Army In Season Opener
8.29.16 | Football
This Week
As fall approaches and the 2016 college football season looks to get underway, one of the first games fans across the country get to see, will be held in South Philadelphia. The Temple Owls are coming off a 10-4 season, which saw them win the American Athletic East Division and appear in their first bowl game since 2011. Led by head coach Matt Rhule, now in his fourth season, the Owls are predicted to finish second in the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. They are facing an Army squad that finished 2-10 last season and has 16 starters returning. The Temple offense will be led by fourth-year starting quarterback Phillip Walker and first team all-conference running back Jahad Thomas. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Dion Dawkins, who has 26 starts for the Owls under his belt. Walker and the offense will look to get off to a good start against an Army defense that let up an average of 27.8 points per game last year. The Owls return six starters to a defense that ranked first in nearly every defensive category for the American Athletic Conference last year including run defense and scoring defense. Temple returns a handful of talent on defense under defensive coordinator Phil Snow, led by junior Sean Chandler, who was a second team all-conference corner last year and is making the switch to safety this season, and redshirt senior defensive lineman Haason Reddick, who had 12.5 tackles for loss last year. The defense will go up against an Army triple option offense led by quarterbacks Chris Carter and Ahmad Bradshaw. The game is scheduled for Friday, September 2, at 7:00 p.m. and set to air on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 The Fanatic, the team's flagship radio.
Last Time
The last time Temple played Army was October 19, 2013. The game resulted in a 33-14 victory for the Owls and saw Rhule receive his first win as a head coach. It was also quarterback Phillip Walker's first win as a starter as he threw 203 yards and two touchdowns. Walker has been the starter ever since, and is now Temples all-time leader in passing touchdowns (52) and completions (578). Â The win improved Temple's all-time record to 7-4 vs. the Black Knights.Â
Up Next
After Army, Temple will play Stony Brook at home, then travel up to Happy Valley the following week to play in-state rival Penn State, and then return the following week to take on Charlotte for homecoming.
Matt Rhule Press Conference | Player Interviews
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As fall approaches and the 2016 college football season looks to get underway, one of the first games fans across the country get to see, will be held in South Philadelphia. The Temple Owls are coming off a 10-4 season, which saw them win the American Athletic East Division and appear in their first bowl game since 2011. Led by head coach Matt Rhule, now in his fourth season, the Owls are predicted to finish second in the East Division of the American Athletic Conference. They are facing an Army squad that finished 2-10 last season and has 16 starters returning. The Temple offense will be led by fourth-year starting quarterback Phillip Walker and first team all-conference running back Jahad Thomas. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Dion Dawkins, who has 26 starts for the Owls under his belt. Walker and the offense will look to get off to a good start against an Army defense that let up an average of 27.8 points per game last year. The Owls return six starters to a defense that ranked first in nearly every defensive category for the American Athletic Conference last year including run defense and scoring defense. Temple returns a handful of talent on defense under defensive coordinator Phil Snow, led by junior Sean Chandler, who was a second team all-conference corner last year and is making the switch to safety this season, and redshirt senior defensive lineman Haason Reddick, who had 12.5 tackles for loss last year. The defense will go up against an Army triple option offense led by quarterbacks Chris Carter and Ahmad Bradshaw. The game is scheduled for Friday, September 2, at 7:00 p.m. and set to air on CBS Sports Network and 97.5 The Fanatic, the team's flagship radio.
Last Time
The last time Temple played Army was October 19, 2013. The game resulted in a 33-14 victory for the Owls and saw Rhule receive his first win as a head coach. It was also quarterback Phillip Walker's first win as a starter as he threw 203 yards and two touchdowns. Walker has been the starter ever since, and is now Temples all-time leader in passing touchdowns (52) and completions (578). Â The win improved Temple's all-time record to 7-4 vs. the Black Knights.Â
Up Next
After Army, Temple will play Stony Brook at home, then travel up to Happy Valley the following week to play in-state rival Penn State, and then return the following week to take on Charlotte for homecoming.
Matt Rhule Press Conference | Player Interviews
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