Senior Kenny Harper says it's been a privilege to play for Temple

SOMETIMES, there's a lot to be said for just being a team guy who tries to do the right things and sticks around through all of the ups and the not-as-good.

Temple (5-5, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) is playing its final home game tomorrow against Cincinnati (7-3, 5-1). The Owls have eight seniors, the fewest in FBS. Five are on the depth chart. Some are fifth-year eligible. A lot of players who were part of the 2011 recruiting class didn't finish what they started, for any number of reasons. Stuff happens.

The other day second-year coach Matt Rhule, who was an assistant in 2011 when the Owls last went to a bowl, took the time to salute the guys who will soon be leaving North Broad and heading out into the real world.

"It was like a stroll down memory lane," said Rhule, whose team, which is coming off a bye, has lost two straight and four of its last five. "We watched the highlight film. Guys were laughing; some of them looked so skinny. But they also saw the kids that aren't here. Life took them on a different path. And my point to the team was, man, it comes and it goes by really quick. It doesn't really matter where you start. Some guys weren't on there but played a bunch for us. They walked on here. It doesn't matter who else offered you, how many offers you had or how many stars you had [as a recruit].

"It matters where you end up and what you do.

"The path for these guys was to stay here, and live through different coaches and different assistants. I couldn't be more grateful to them. Some of them are playing their best football in their senior year. So I'm saying to the juniors, 'Don't you owe it to these guys to play your best football?' And to the freshmen, 'Don't be one of the guys who's not here.' Be like these guys. That's the message. Everyone can learn a lot from the kids who are graduating."

Kids who are now young men, such as running back Kenny Harper, who came from Florida as a safety and paid his dues his first 2 years as a special-teamer and then at fullback. Last season he was the Owls' leading rusher. This year his numbers are down, but he's played hurt. This week will be no different. He'll be a game-time decision. But Rhule expects him to again find a way to contribute.

"It's a privilege," said Harper, who spent last summer interning at a bank working with high-net-worth accounts and already has been offered a full-time position. "You kind of want it to slow down a bit, so you can cherish some moments. It makes you wonder what's going to happen after you leave.

"I don't even really know how to describe the experience. All of us went through a lot of adversity. Every year, it's something different. But we've really responded well.

"Being part of a team, coach Rhule wants us to be leaders. I'm more of an action than a words type of guy. I tried to do the best I can. It put me out of my comfort zone a little. I tried to do the best I can. In this day and age, the hardest thing to do is get people to listen. Especially young people. They're more stubborn. They think they know everything. You learn that it's not about you. Of course every player wants to play and get the ball. I'll do whatever. You don't want to hurt the team."

His first year, the Owls won a bowl for the first time in 32 years. The last two they won six times, total. Now they need another win to get bowl eligible.

Harper is one of three finalists - along with South Carolina QB Dylan Thomas and Wake Forest fullback Joran Garside - for the Freddie Solomon Community Spirit Award, which honors the memory of the late Tampa University/NFL QB by recognizing a college football player from either Florida or South Carolina who's impacted the lives of others through their charitable giving.

"You try to leave an impression on those around you," Harper said. "But you don't do it to win anything. You do it from the goodness of your heart. I think that's the way you should try to lead your life. Sometimes kids need somebody they can talk to, somebody who can show them things. That's all. But it's important.

"I'm really the same person. I've just matured. That's what college is supposed to do. I know a lot more than I did before . . . We want the program to be on an upward slope. Personally, as a senior, it means everything to set that foundation. I'm trying not to think about [the end]. When it comes, it comes.

"It'll probably be a surreal feeling."

Maybe in large part just for making it there.