Owls may finally make Bundy's dream come true

Nevertheless, it's where he wanted to be.

"I sent my highlight tape to Coach [Bobby] Wallace," Bundy explained. "He took a look at it, brought me in for a visit. They took [the recruits] to the Linc. They had our jerseys in the locker room, with our names on them. I was sold. It was like, where do I sign?"

That was 4 years ago. The Owls were coming off a one-win season. They won twice when he was a freshman, their last year in the Big East. That was followed by an 0-for-2005 as an independent.

Still . . .

"I was just excited to be playing," the 5-10, 228-pound fullback recalled. "I started on special teams my first year. Then I won my position. I couldn't see the bigger picture. I wasn't focused, on those things that winning teams need to be focused on.

"As time went on, it started to become more and more frustrating. The amount of work you're putting into it, you're not getting anything back.

"It's very hard, especially in this area. When you're not doing well, people will let you hear about it. Very quickly."

He knew all about losing. And change. At Wissahickon High School, he was part of a team that went from 0-12 his sophomore season to 4-8 2 years later.

That may not seem like much, until you've experienced an 0-for.

Al Golden came to Temple 23 months ago, and lost 16 of his first 17 games. But the Owls (3-5, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) will take their first three-game winning streak in 17 years into tomorrow night's scrum at Ohio University (4-5, 2-3).

Bundy is the only senior left from his original class of 20-something, although defensive back Abioye Oyeyemi is a fourth-year walk-on. At Bundy's position, there is nobody listed behind him on the depth chart. If nothing else, he's a survivor.

It makes what's happened in the last month nothing short of priceless.

"I didn't want to go out a loser," said Bundy, whose value can't be measured on a stat sheet. "I can really appreciate what's going on here now. I'm so glad, and thankful. One loss is enough to make you never want to lose again. I've seen a lot.

"I thought a lot of the guys I came in with would still be around. But they had issues with discipline. They started doing dumb stuff, getting in truoble, bailing out. I tried to stay above it. There's times when you wonder if it's worth it. But I've just never been the type of person to quit anything. I didn't want to let my parents down. They've always stood behind me. But it does get kind of depressing.

"For a while, we didn't even know if we'd still have a program. That's scary."

Now, the only thing that's frightening is the upside. Golden's greedy. He doesn't want his players to settle for anything less than the stars. Individually and together. As a sign at the football complex reads: "Seven straight wins. We're not even halfway there yet." Which doesn't sound nearly as corny as it might have a month ago.

"Josh takes a lot of pride in his craft," Golden said. "He's a blocker and a tough player. That's his role. It's not an easy job, to go after the most physical linebacker. Nobody questions his desire.

"He's faced his demons, so to speak. He allowed us to come into his life, whereas in the beginning a lot of those kids who've now departed wouldn't. As we move forward, he will be our biggest disciple and advocate. A lot of his friends cut and ran, when it got tough. That's a credit to him. Doing it the other way wasn't working for him.

"You could make a case that he's our most valuable player. Without him, we really don't have a fullback. He's done a terrific job of improving in all areas, on the field and everywhere else. You can't separate the two. It's all about making decisions. So you have to respect him for that."

Bundy's carried five times for 18 yards, and caught four passes for 26 more. His next touchdown will be the fourth of his career. But he's been responsible for helping get teammates into the end zone. And, more to the point, he's finally a part of something tangible.

Something that figures to get even more tangible when he's moved on to the real world.

"It was just a matter of cracking that shell," Bundy said. "We have goals, hopes. Every day, we go out there with a purpose. It's intense. Once you get confidence, you don't want it to stop. You can feel it.

"They call me the old man. I do have a little different perspective, because I've been here a longer time. But when it comes to adversity we're all pretty much equal.

"I could've easily said, 'This is too hard right now. I should just focus on school, [or] whatever.' I'm so glad I didn't. It taught me not to give up on something that I want, not to give up on myself. To see it pay off . . . this was my dream."

Nothing small about it. *