Temple University Athletics
2017 Football Preview - Camp Blog
8.22.17 | Football
OwlSports.com will catalog a daily practice blog through August as the Owls prepare for the 2017 season. Check back daily for updates.
 Tuesday, August 22
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Players returned to full pads on Tuesday with an intense practice with temperatures into the mid 80's. It was the first practice for junior RB Ryquell Armstead in his new single digit number (he was awarded number 7 in the team meeting before practice).Â
The play of the day came from redshirt senior CB Mike Jones as he picked off a pass and to it the distance for a 65-yard score.
 Monday, August 21
Â
The Owls resumed practice after an off-day. The squad was at Edberg Olson Hall for a light practice in just helmets and shorts.
As expected, senior punter Alex Starzyk returned to the team. Former Owl and current New York Giants' TE Colin Thompson visited practice.
 Saturday, August 19Â
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The Owls practiced at Penn's Franklin Field. While the practice was mostly closed, there were over 50 alumni in attendance. While both the offense and defense had their share of big moments, the play of the day was made by redshirt freshman WR Freddie Johnson who one-handed a catch in the end zone for a red zone score.
Junior RB Ryquell Armstead ended each of the first two series with a score. The first was a screen pass that he took 50-yards to the end zone. The second was a 40-yard burst between the tackles.
Video: Geoff Collins Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Adonis Jennings, Keith Kirkwood, and Delvon Randall
Video: Behind-the-Scenes at Franklin Field
 Friday, August 18 Â
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The Owls took the pads off today as they prepare for a practice tomorrow at Franklin Field. They took the field early in order to avoid threatening flash flood warnings but managed to get all their work in before the storm arrived.
Video: Ryquell Armstead Mic'd Up
 Thursday, August 17 Â
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On the final official day of summer camp, the Temple Owls practiced in front of nearly a dozen NFL scouts. The team is making final preparations for an off-site practice on Saturday and will return to an in-season, school-schedule practice routine on Monday.
The battle lines were even throughout most of the day between the offense and defense. The play of the day happened when redshirt sophomore LB Chapelle Russell scooped up a fumble and returned it 80-yards for a score.
While the summer heat was turned up high, the team engaged in a water balloon fight, dove on a slip-and-slide, and were treated to Rita's water ice at the end of practice.
Video: Chris Wiesehan Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Cole Boozer, Leon Johnson, and Matt Hennessy
Video: Shaun Bradley Mic'd Up
 Wednesday, August 16 Â
Â
The steamy hot day began with redshirt senior fullback Nick Sharga shreding the electric guitar to AC/DC's "Back in Black." The practice session ended with three offensive and three defensive linemen catching punts and kickoffs from the juggs machine.Â
Sandwiched in between the entertainment was a spirited practice with the defense standing out for most of the day. In all, the defense collected over 10 takeaways led by junior safety Delvon Randall with three, and two apiece from  sophomore linebackers Mike DiFrancesco and Sam Franklin.
Video: Cory Robinson Mic'd Up
 Tuesday, August 15 Â
Â
Despite a dreary day as rain hailed down on Chodoff Field, the Temple Owls took the field with the same high-tempo that they usually do. Defensive coordinator Taver Johnson and defensive backs coach Cory Robinson were made available to the media after practice. Both coaches were impressed with the defense to this point in camp. Specifically, the coaches noted the intelligence of redshirt-senior defensive back Artrel Foster. The coaches were also happy with the experience that safeties Sean Chandler and Delvon Randall bring to the team.
The play of the day came on a two-minute drill at the end of practice. Redshirt freshman QB Anthony Russo sent a 45-yard pass down the middle of the field and redshirt junior WR John Ruza made a spectacular diving catch to move the team into the redzone.
Video: Taver Johnson Press Conference
Video: Cory Robinson Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Mike Jones and Artrel Foster
 Monday, August 14 Â
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After some time off, the team took the field again on Monday for an afternoon practice. With an overcast sky and temperatures in the low 80's, the Owls worked hard through practice, despite some rain in the latter minutes of practice.Â
The highlight of the day came from sophomore LB Sam Franklin as he jumped a wide receiver screen, intercepting the ball and taking it in for the score. Franklin wasn't finished just yet. During the final segment of practice, the offense was faced with a two minute drill from the 50-yard line and needed a touchdown to win. Yet again, Franklin jumped a route to make the practice-ending interception.
Video: Day Eleven of Practice Hype
 Friday, August 11 Â
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It was another high-tempo day on Chodoff Field with the team in shells (shoulder pads and helmet). The early morning practice started around 9:25 and ran through most of the morning with temperatures in the high 70's to low 80's. Sophomore LB Sam Franklin had a stand out day, landing himself another signature on the darkside board for snagging an interception. Whenever a defensive player causes a turnover in practice, they get to sign the board.
On the offensive side, the play of the day came when junior RB Jager Gardner carried the ball on a rush off the right guard. Gardner slipped through the hole and went untouched for a 60-yard score.
Video: Ed Foley Press Conference
Video: Tony Lucas Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Ryquell Armstead, Jager Gardner, and Kenny Yeboah
 Thursday, August 10 Â
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Practice continued with the offense and defense each making their share of plays. Freshman WR Jadan Blue continues to open eyes. His ability to find the end zone on a daily basis has not gone unnoticed by players and coaches. His counterpart on defense is junior safety Delvon Randall who continues to force turnovers nearly every day.
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The team spent the evening at Citizens Bank Park for Temple Night at the Phillies where they greeted fans, handed out posters and signed autographs.
Video: Day Nine of Practice Hype
 Wednesday, August 9 Â
Â
Things were heating up at Edberg Olson Hall with the temperature rising into the high 80's. Like usual, the Owls made the most of it and pleased their head coach. Head coach Geoff Collins was happy to see the team keeping such a high tempo given the heat.
The Wild Boyz met with the media today and their coach, Jim Panagos, is excited about the depth the team has along the defensive front.Â
Video: Jim Panagos Press Conference
Video: Interviews With Jullian Taylor and Freddie Booth-Lloyd
 Tuesday, August 8 Â
Â
After a day off from practice for academic bootcamp preparing for summer sesssion finals, the Owls returned to the field on Tuesday for another evening practice.
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Cool weather and fresh legs provided a burst of energy as did a goal line drill early in the practice. Senior defensive end Sharif Finch made the play of the day in that early period picking up a fumble and racing the length of the field for a score.
Video: Day Seven of Practice Hype
 Sunday, August 6 Â
Â
It was another beautiful day on Chodoff Field with temperatures in the mid-high 70's. The Owls competed for the full duration of practice, keeping up with head coach Geoff Collins' high-paced mentality. Some players caught the eye of their first-year head coach, including WRs Marshall Ellick and Anthony Cruz. Among the freshmen that stood out were QB Todd Centeio and WR Jaden Blue.Â
Centeio connected with Blue on three touchdowns during Sunday's practice - including the play of the day where Centeio rolled out to his right, finding Blue in the front right corner of the north endzone as Blue dragged both feet inbounds while securing the catch to the ground to finish the 15-yard score.
Video: Temple Football Celebrates "Family Day" on Sunday
Video: Geoff Collins Press Conference
Video: Day Six of Practice Hype
 Saturday, August 5Â
Â
Easily the best day of camp thus far with clear skies and 77-degree weather. More important was the crisp start with two types of Oklahoma drills.
Â
The first was the traditional three lineman and one ball carrier drill. The offense clearly had the edge converting on more than 70% of the 4th-and-1 and 4th-and-2 situations. The defense got revenge, though, when the drill opened up for the skill position players trying to convert 5-yard bubble screens in three-on-three situations.
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Temple has a "Get the Ball" dry erase board that players sign when creating a turnover. Junior safety Delvon Randall found himself on the board once again with a leaping interception of an Anthony Russo pass. Randall, who led the team last season with six takeaways, might as well use a permanent marker.
Video: Day Five of Practice Hype
 Friday, August 4Â
It was another scotching hot day at Edberg Olsen Hall as the Temple football team took the field for an early afternoon practice with temperatures breaking into the 90's again.
For the second day in a row with helmets and shells on, the Owls continued to work. The play of the day came from a local product in Anthony Russo. The redshirt freshman launched a pass to sophomore WR Randle Jones who was running up the sideline. Jones caught the pass at the 10-yard line, breaking two tackles, and heading into the end zone for the 40-yard score.Â
Video: Andrew Thacker Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Shaun Bradley and William Kwenkeu
 Thursday, August 3Â
Another split squad practice began, this time under 95-degree sunshine. The first group went about its business, racing from drill to drill. The play of the day was turned in by a pair of redshirt juniors. WR Brodrick Yancy split the middle of the defense for an 80-yard score from QB Frank Nutile.
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The second grouping faced a similar fate from yesterday, beginning practice in the sun and suffering an interruption midway through due to thunder/lightning. Before the interruption, sophomore LB Shaun Bradley, who sees some action at running back, turned heads as he raced down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run at a speed of over 20mph.
Former Temple RB and current College Football Hall of Fame Nominee, Paul Palmer, attended practice.
Video: Tug of War
Video: Day Three of Practice Hype
 Wednesday, August 2Â
Expectations of lightening changed the originally planned split-squad practice. The full group emerged from the locker room at 3:30 p.m. and ran through its paces for nearly an hour before the first sign of lightening. At 4:27 p.m., with a spotty forecast, the team retreated inside for brief meetings and dinner before emerging once again at 6:45 p.m. to resume practice.
The weather could not dampen the energy and enthusiasm for the Owls. While the offense and defense battled all night, two defensive plays highlighted the day. Senior safety Delvon Randall took an interception 70-yards for a score. Later in the practice, graduate cornerback Mike Jones made an acrobatic interception in the end zone to thwart a score. The evening concluded with seniors and single-digit players doing high-energy mat drills – normally reserved for winter workouts.
Video: Mat Drills
Video: Interviews with Quarterbacks and Specialists
Video: Ed Foley Press Conference
 Tuesday, August 1Â
The 2017 season got underway at 7:10 p.m. when junior safety Delvon Randall led the 105 Owls out of the locker room at Edberg Olson Hall onto the field for the team's first practice. The slightly overcast skies cleared as the sun burned at 87 degrees. The team was put through paces in just helmets and shorts - an NCAA mandate for the first few days of practice. WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, who spoke with the team earlier in the day, made his way from drill to drill shouting encouragement.
Before practice concluded in the dark summer evening, the play of the day was made by a pair of redshirt juniors. WR Marshall Ellick caught a Frank Nutile pass at the 40-yard line and raced across the field and into the end zone to complete a 65-yard score.
Video: Titus O'Neil at Practice
 2017 PreviewÂ
The 2016 American Athletic Conference Football Championship. Back-to-back 10-win seasons. Three straight years of bowl eligibility. More than two dozen graduates in each of the past two seasons. Three NFL draft choices in both 2016 and 2017, including Haason Reddick with the #13 overall selection in 2017.
Seems like a new standard has been reached for Temple football.Â
Not so fast. On December 14, 2016, Geoff Collins was hired as the 27th head coach in program history and almost immediately began using social media hashtags to show his imprint on one of the fastest rising programs in the nation. #TempleTUFF, #StackDays, #OOU (one of us), #JUICEpoints, #Compete – all are among the most used in his first few months on the job.
However, the one that has gotten the most attention from the current roster of players is #theSTANDARD. The players have quickly learned that, despite all the recent success, the standard expected from each and everyone at Edberg Olson Hall has been raised ever higher.Â
It has to be. Leaders from the past two seasons relied on their battle scars earned while fighting through a 2-10 season in 2013. Just six players remain from that unit that went through a 6-6 season in 2014 before completing the transformation to consecutive 10-4 years in both 2015-16. Those players – OLs Cole Boozer, Brian Carter, Leon Johnson, and Adrian Sullivan, along with DL Sharif Finch and DB Artrel Foster (all but Finch redshirted in 2013) – experienced what it took to go from losing to winning and from winners to champions.
Stability has worked in Temple's favor during its transition from 2-10 to 10-4. With a coaching staff that experienced minimal changes over four years and a quarterback in Phillip Walker who graduated with an NCAA-leading 47 consecutive starts and ownership of every major passing record in school history, football's two most high profile positions were secure over that span. Collins, with his 23-year resume of coaching excellence, has taken the baton from Matt Rhule with whom he shared the coaching sidelines for five seasons [Albright (1998) and Western Carolina (2002-05)]. Collins has quickly and clearly established himself as a gritty, determined leader whose expectations are not only to challenge for the conference championship but to improve Temple's standing in College Football's Top 25 rankings.
While Collins' imprint has quickly been established, the quarterback position will be determined through an open competition in the months leading up to the season opener at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Redshirt sophomore Logan Marchi and redshirt junior Frank Nutile offer limited game experience while redshirt freshman Anthony Russo and freshman Todd Centeio provide unlimited potential. New offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Dave Patenaude is fresh off a season at Coastal Carolina where he employed seven different starting quarterbacks (due to injury) and still compiled school records. He will oversee the competition and adapt his offense to the skill set of the quarterback who gives the Owls the best chance of winning.
While just nine starters return from a year ago (five on offense and four on defense), Temple benefits from having 41 lettermen returning. A number of younger players saw a good deal of action but acquiesced to the graduating seniors in the starting lineup. A prime example of that was junior running back Ryquell Armstead who returns as the Owls' leading rusher. Armstead, who accumulated 919 yards and 14 touchdowns on 156 carries, started just three games. However, Temple will need to replace Jahad Thomas' 1,371 yards (953 rushing, 418 receiving) and 19 touchdowns (13 rushing, 6 receiving).
Look for Temple's offense to have a balanced attack as the entire receiving corps returns led by junior Ventell Bryant (54-895-4), redshirt senior Keith Kirkwood (42-648-4) and senior Adonis Jennings (27-474-4). Those three combined for 2,017 yards and 12 touchdowns on 123 catches, more than half of the Owls' total aerial production (232-3,324-22).
While the defense is forced to replace four all-conference players and the entire starting linebacker corps, it will be led by one of the best safety tandems in college football. Senior Sean Chandler has been a three-year starter and two-time all-conference player. He has been a big-play maker with seven career interceptions, 3.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Junior Delvon Randall is another sure-tackling playmaker who tied for the conference lead with six takeaways in 2016 (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries).
For the second straight year Temple is faced with replacing solid senior leadership. Last season it took a loss at Memphis in game six for things to come into focus for the team. After a 3-3 start, the 2016 squad rolled off seven straight wins down the stretch. An earlier wake-up call might be in order this season with two of the better American Athletic Conference teams – USF (11-2) and Houston (9-4) on the schedule before the calendar reaches October.
One tradition that Collins is retaining at Temple is the single-digit jerseys awarded to the team's toughest players. Last year's remaining tough guys – Bryant (#1), Chandler (#3), FB Nick Sharga (#4), and DL Jacob Martin (#9) - were joined by Randall (#2) and Kirkwood (#5) this spring. They will have to combine with those seniors who endured 2013's 2-10 season and lead this young group immediately.
The new standard has been set - and it means getting better every day…starting right now.
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 Tuesday, August 22
Â
Players returned to full pads on Tuesday with an intense practice with temperatures into the mid 80's. It was the first practice for junior RB Ryquell Armstead in his new single digit number (he was awarded number 7 in the team meeting before practice).Â
The play of the day came from redshirt senior CB Mike Jones as he picked off a pass and to it the distance for a 65-yard score.
 Monday, August 21
Â
The Owls resumed practice after an off-day. The squad was at Edberg Olson Hall for a light practice in just helmets and shorts.
As expected, senior punter Alex Starzyk returned to the team. Former Owl and current New York Giants' TE Colin Thompson visited practice.
 Saturday, August 19Â
Â
The Owls practiced at Penn's Franklin Field. While the practice was mostly closed, there were over 50 alumni in attendance. While both the offense and defense had their share of big moments, the play of the day was made by redshirt freshman WR Freddie Johnson who one-handed a catch in the end zone for a red zone score.
Junior RB Ryquell Armstead ended each of the first two series with a score. The first was a screen pass that he took 50-yards to the end zone. The second was a 40-yard burst between the tackles.
Video: Geoff Collins Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Adonis Jennings, Keith Kirkwood, and Delvon Randall
Video: Behind-the-Scenes at Franklin Field
 Friday, August 18 Â
Â
The Owls took the pads off today as they prepare for a practice tomorrow at Franklin Field. They took the field early in order to avoid threatening flash flood warnings but managed to get all their work in before the storm arrived.
Video: Ryquell Armstead Mic'd Up
 Thursday, August 17 Â
Â
On the final official day of summer camp, the Temple Owls practiced in front of nearly a dozen NFL scouts. The team is making final preparations for an off-site practice on Saturday and will return to an in-season, school-schedule practice routine on Monday.
The battle lines were even throughout most of the day between the offense and defense. The play of the day happened when redshirt sophomore LB Chapelle Russell scooped up a fumble and returned it 80-yards for a score.
While the summer heat was turned up high, the team engaged in a water balloon fight, dove on a slip-and-slide, and were treated to Rita's water ice at the end of practice.
Video: Chris Wiesehan Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Cole Boozer, Leon Johnson, and Matt Hennessy
Video: Shaun Bradley Mic'd Up
 Wednesday, August 16 Â
Â
The steamy hot day began with redshirt senior fullback Nick Sharga shreding the electric guitar to AC/DC's "Back in Black." The practice session ended with three offensive and three defensive linemen catching punts and kickoffs from the juggs machine.Â
Sandwiched in between the entertainment was a spirited practice with the defense standing out for most of the day. In all, the defense collected over 10 takeaways led by junior safety Delvon Randall with three, and two apiece from  sophomore linebackers Mike DiFrancesco and Sam Franklin.
Video: Cory Robinson Mic'd Up
 Tuesday, August 15 Â
Â
Despite a dreary day as rain hailed down on Chodoff Field, the Temple Owls took the field with the same high-tempo that they usually do. Defensive coordinator Taver Johnson and defensive backs coach Cory Robinson were made available to the media after practice. Both coaches were impressed with the defense to this point in camp. Specifically, the coaches noted the intelligence of redshirt-senior defensive back Artrel Foster. The coaches were also happy with the experience that safeties Sean Chandler and Delvon Randall bring to the team.
The play of the day came on a two-minute drill at the end of practice. Redshirt freshman QB Anthony Russo sent a 45-yard pass down the middle of the field and redshirt junior WR John Ruza made a spectacular diving catch to move the team into the redzone.
Video: Taver Johnson Press Conference
Video: Cory Robinson Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Mike Jones and Artrel Foster
 Monday, August 14 Â
Â
After some time off, the team took the field again on Monday for an afternoon practice. With an overcast sky and temperatures in the low 80's, the Owls worked hard through practice, despite some rain in the latter minutes of practice.Â
The highlight of the day came from sophomore LB Sam Franklin as he jumped a wide receiver screen, intercepting the ball and taking it in for the score. Franklin wasn't finished just yet. During the final segment of practice, the offense was faced with a two minute drill from the 50-yard line and needed a touchdown to win. Yet again, Franklin jumped a route to make the practice-ending interception.
Video: Day Eleven of Practice Hype
 Friday, August 11 Â
Â
It was another high-tempo day on Chodoff Field with the team in shells (shoulder pads and helmet). The early morning practice started around 9:25 and ran through most of the morning with temperatures in the high 70's to low 80's. Sophomore LB Sam Franklin had a stand out day, landing himself another signature on the darkside board for snagging an interception. Whenever a defensive player causes a turnover in practice, they get to sign the board.
On the offensive side, the play of the day came when junior RB Jager Gardner carried the ball on a rush off the right guard. Gardner slipped through the hole and went untouched for a 60-yard score.
Video: Ed Foley Press Conference
Video: Tony Lucas Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Ryquell Armstead, Jager Gardner, and Kenny Yeboah
 Thursday, August 10 Â
Â
Practice continued with the offense and defense each making their share of plays. Freshman WR Jadan Blue continues to open eyes. His ability to find the end zone on a daily basis has not gone unnoticed by players and coaches. His counterpart on defense is junior safety Delvon Randall who continues to force turnovers nearly every day.
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The team spent the evening at Citizens Bank Park for Temple Night at the Phillies where they greeted fans, handed out posters and signed autographs.
Video: Day Nine of Practice Hype
 Wednesday, August 9 Â
Â
Things were heating up at Edberg Olson Hall with the temperature rising into the high 80's. Like usual, the Owls made the most of it and pleased their head coach. Head coach Geoff Collins was happy to see the team keeping such a high tempo given the heat.
The Wild Boyz met with the media today and their coach, Jim Panagos, is excited about the depth the team has along the defensive front.Â
Video: Jim Panagos Press Conference
Video: Interviews With Jullian Taylor and Freddie Booth-Lloyd
 Tuesday, August 8 Â
Â
After a day off from practice for academic bootcamp preparing for summer sesssion finals, the Owls returned to the field on Tuesday for another evening practice.
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Cool weather and fresh legs provided a burst of energy as did a goal line drill early in the practice. Senior defensive end Sharif Finch made the play of the day in that early period picking up a fumble and racing the length of the field for a score.
Video: Day Seven of Practice Hype
 Sunday, August 6 Â
Â
It was another beautiful day on Chodoff Field with temperatures in the mid-high 70's. The Owls competed for the full duration of practice, keeping up with head coach Geoff Collins' high-paced mentality. Some players caught the eye of their first-year head coach, including WRs Marshall Ellick and Anthony Cruz. Among the freshmen that stood out were QB Todd Centeio and WR Jaden Blue.Â
Centeio connected with Blue on three touchdowns during Sunday's practice - including the play of the day where Centeio rolled out to his right, finding Blue in the front right corner of the north endzone as Blue dragged both feet inbounds while securing the catch to the ground to finish the 15-yard score.
Video: Temple Football Celebrates "Family Day" on Sunday
Video: Geoff Collins Press Conference
Video: Day Six of Practice Hype
 Saturday, August 5Â
Â
Easily the best day of camp thus far with clear skies and 77-degree weather. More important was the crisp start with two types of Oklahoma drills.
Â
The first was the traditional three lineman and one ball carrier drill. The offense clearly had the edge converting on more than 70% of the 4th-and-1 and 4th-and-2 situations. The defense got revenge, though, when the drill opened up for the skill position players trying to convert 5-yard bubble screens in three-on-three situations.
Â
Temple has a "Get the Ball" dry erase board that players sign when creating a turnover. Junior safety Delvon Randall found himself on the board once again with a leaping interception of an Anthony Russo pass. Randall, who led the team last season with six takeaways, might as well use a permanent marker.
Video: Day Five of Practice Hype
 Friday, August 4Â
It was another scotching hot day at Edberg Olsen Hall as the Temple football team took the field for an early afternoon practice with temperatures breaking into the 90's again.
For the second day in a row with helmets and shells on, the Owls continued to work. The play of the day came from a local product in Anthony Russo. The redshirt freshman launched a pass to sophomore WR Randle Jones who was running up the sideline. Jones caught the pass at the 10-yard line, breaking two tackles, and heading into the end zone for the 40-yard score.Â
Video: Andrew Thacker Press Conference
Video: Interviews with Shaun Bradley and William Kwenkeu
 Thursday, August 3Â
Another split squad practice began, this time under 95-degree sunshine. The first group went about its business, racing from drill to drill. The play of the day was turned in by a pair of redshirt juniors. WR Brodrick Yancy split the middle of the defense for an 80-yard score from QB Frank Nutile.
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The second grouping faced a similar fate from yesterday, beginning practice in the sun and suffering an interruption midway through due to thunder/lightning. Before the interruption, sophomore LB Shaun Bradley, who sees some action at running back, turned heads as he raced down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run at a speed of over 20mph.
Former Temple RB and current College Football Hall of Fame Nominee, Paul Palmer, attended practice.
Video: Tug of War
Video: Day Three of Practice Hype
 Wednesday, August 2Â
Expectations of lightening changed the originally planned split-squad practice. The full group emerged from the locker room at 3:30 p.m. and ran through its paces for nearly an hour before the first sign of lightening. At 4:27 p.m., with a spotty forecast, the team retreated inside for brief meetings and dinner before emerging once again at 6:45 p.m. to resume practice.
The weather could not dampen the energy and enthusiasm for the Owls. While the offense and defense battled all night, two defensive plays highlighted the day. Senior safety Delvon Randall took an interception 70-yards for a score. Later in the practice, graduate cornerback Mike Jones made an acrobatic interception in the end zone to thwart a score. The evening concluded with seniors and single-digit players doing high-energy mat drills – normally reserved for winter workouts.
Video: Mat Drills
Video: Interviews with Quarterbacks and Specialists
Video: Ed Foley Press Conference
 Tuesday, August 1Â
The 2017 season got underway at 7:10 p.m. when junior safety Delvon Randall led the 105 Owls out of the locker room at Edberg Olson Hall onto the field for the team's first practice. The slightly overcast skies cleared as the sun burned at 87 degrees. The team was put through paces in just helmets and shorts - an NCAA mandate for the first few days of practice. WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, who spoke with the team earlier in the day, made his way from drill to drill shouting encouragement.
Before practice concluded in the dark summer evening, the play of the day was made by a pair of redshirt juniors. WR Marshall Ellick caught a Frank Nutile pass at the 40-yard line and raced across the field and into the end zone to complete a 65-yard score.
Video: Titus O'Neil at Practice
 2017 PreviewÂ
The 2016 American Athletic Conference Football Championship. Back-to-back 10-win seasons. Three straight years of bowl eligibility. More than two dozen graduates in each of the past two seasons. Three NFL draft choices in both 2016 and 2017, including Haason Reddick with the #13 overall selection in 2017.
Seems like a new standard has been reached for Temple football.Â
Not so fast. On December 14, 2016, Geoff Collins was hired as the 27th head coach in program history and almost immediately began using social media hashtags to show his imprint on one of the fastest rising programs in the nation. #TempleTUFF, #StackDays, #OOU (one of us), #JUICEpoints, #Compete – all are among the most used in his first few months on the job.
However, the one that has gotten the most attention from the current roster of players is #theSTANDARD. The players have quickly learned that, despite all the recent success, the standard expected from each and everyone at Edberg Olson Hall has been raised ever higher.Â
It has to be. Leaders from the past two seasons relied on their battle scars earned while fighting through a 2-10 season in 2013. Just six players remain from that unit that went through a 6-6 season in 2014 before completing the transformation to consecutive 10-4 years in both 2015-16. Those players – OLs Cole Boozer, Brian Carter, Leon Johnson, and Adrian Sullivan, along with DL Sharif Finch and DB Artrel Foster (all but Finch redshirted in 2013) – experienced what it took to go from losing to winning and from winners to champions.
Stability has worked in Temple's favor during its transition from 2-10 to 10-4. With a coaching staff that experienced minimal changes over four years and a quarterback in Phillip Walker who graduated with an NCAA-leading 47 consecutive starts and ownership of every major passing record in school history, football's two most high profile positions were secure over that span. Collins, with his 23-year resume of coaching excellence, has taken the baton from Matt Rhule with whom he shared the coaching sidelines for five seasons [Albright (1998) and Western Carolina (2002-05)]. Collins has quickly and clearly established himself as a gritty, determined leader whose expectations are not only to challenge for the conference championship but to improve Temple's standing in College Football's Top 25 rankings.
While Collins' imprint has quickly been established, the quarterback position will be determined through an open competition in the months leading up to the season opener at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Redshirt sophomore Logan Marchi and redshirt junior Frank Nutile offer limited game experience while redshirt freshman Anthony Russo and freshman Todd Centeio provide unlimited potential. New offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Dave Patenaude is fresh off a season at Coastal Carolina where he employed seven different starting quarterbacks (due to injury) and still compiled school records. He will oversee the competition and adapt his offense to the skill set of the quarterback who gives the Owls the best chance of winning.
While just nine starters return from a year ago (five on offense and four on defense), Temple benefits from having 41 lettermen returning. A number of younger players saw a good deal of action but acquiesced to the graduating seniors in the starting lineup. A prime example of that was junior running back Ryquell Armstead who returns as the Owls' leading rusher. Armstead, who accumulated 919 yards and 14 touchdowns on 156 carries, started just three games. However, Temple will need to replace Jahad Thomas' 1,371 yards (953 rushing, 418 receiving) and 19 touchdowns (13 rushing, 6 receiving).
Look for Temple's offense to have a balanced attack as the entire receiving corps returns led by junior Ventell Bryant (54-895-4), redshirt senior Keith Kirkwood (42-648-4) and senior Adonis Jennings (27-474-4). Those three combined for 2,017 yards and 12 touchdowns on 123 catches, more than half of the Owls' total aerial production (232-3,324-22).
While the defense is forced to replace four all-conference players and the entire starting linebacker corps, it will be led by one of the best safety tandems in college football. Senior Sean Chandler has been a three-year starter and two-time all-conference player. He has been a big-play maker with seven career interceptions, 3.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Junior Delvon Randall is another sure-tackling playmaker who tied for the conference lead with six takeaways in 2016 (four interceptions, two fumble recoveries).
For the second straight year Temple is faced with replacing solid senior leadership. Last season it took a loss at Memphis in game six for things to come into focus for the team. After a 3-3 start, the 2016 squad rolled off seven straight wins down the stretch. An earlier wake-up call might be in order this season with two of the better American Athletic Conference teams – USF (11-2) and Houston (9-4) on the schedule before the calendar reaches October.
One tradition that Collins is retaining at Temple is the single-digit jerseys awarded to the team's toughest players. Last year's remaining tough guys – Bryant (#1), Chandler (#3), FB Nick Sharga (#4), and DL Jacob Martin (#9) - were joined by Randall (#2) and Kirkwood (#5) this spring. They will have to combine with those seniors who endured 2013's 2-10 season and lead this young group immediately.
The new standard has been set - and it means getting better every day…starting right now.
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/ FootballAvery Powell, 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
JoJo Bermudez, 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
K.C. Keeler, 9/15/25
Monday, September 15
Temple Men's Basketball | Babatunde Durodola Day In The Life
Saturday, September 13
