Aug. 16, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Three Temple football players have been cited with preseason first-team honors by Rivals.com.

Senior center Alex Derenthal (Davie, Fla.), junior nose tackle Andre Neblett (Rahway, N.J.), and senior kick returner Travis Shelton (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) earned first-team honors.

A Rimington Trophy candidate as the nation's top center, Derenthal was also named a preseason first-team All-MAC selection by Phil Steele's College Football and the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook as well as an NFL Draft Scout "Star of 2008".

A Bronko Nagurski Trophy candidate as the nation's best defensive player, Neblett has also been named a preseason first-team All-MAC selection by Athlon, Phil Steele's College Football, the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook, and MAC Report Online.

A wide receiver, Shelton was also named a preseason first-team All-MAC kick returner by Phil Steele's College Football.

Additionally, TU's Mark D'Onofrio was named the MAC's best defensive coordinator, while Temple was named the "program on the rise".

Temple opens the 2008 season at Army on Friday, August 29. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. before a national television audience on ESPN Classic.

In their home opener, the Owls host Connecticut on Sept. 6 at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is set for Noon for a national broadcast on ESPNU.

Temple football season tickets are on sale now for as low as $75, and can be purchased by calling the Temple Ticket Office at 215-204-8499. Fans are encouraged to visit www.OwlsTix.com for full season ticket pricing information.