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Rhule looks for tougher Temple team

Before he conducted his first spring football camp, Temple coach Matt Rhule's primary goal was installing a vertical passing game.

Temple coach Matt Rhule talks with QB P.J. Walker in preparation for
the Cherry-White game with his team at Camden High School Tuesday,
April 22, 2014. ( DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer )
Temple coach Matt Rhule talks with QB P.J. Walker in preparation for the Cherry-White game with his team at Camden High School Tuesday, April 22, 2014. ( DAVID SWANSON / Staff Photographer )Read more

Before he conducted his first spring football camp, Temple coach Matt Rhule's primary goal was installing a vertical passing game.

Last season, Rhule inherited a Temple offense that was at its best running the ball, but Rhule wanted - and still wants - a more dynamic offense.

Going into the Owls' annual Cherry and White spring game Saturday (1 p.m. at Cardinal O'Hara High School), Rhule is shifting the emphasis to playing with more physicality and continuity as the young Owls prepare for season No. 2 in the American Athletic Conference.

"We are a work in progress," Rhule said. "Last season was tough, and we learned a lot from it. We went from being a team that lost at Fordham to winning the last game of the season on the road at Memphis, so we grew. We want to continue that process, and we want to be more physical in the way we play."

Almost four months remain before the Owls, coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, open the season in a nationally televised game at Vanderbilt. Saturday's game is the first step in molding an inexperienced group into a team.

And that lack of experience is still a significant hurdle.

For instance, outside of the 21 starts from center Kyle Friend, all of the returning offensive linemen have combined for just seven starts.

The situation is not much better on the defensive line, where just Hershey Walton and Matt Ioannidis were regulars in the defensive line rotation.

The Owls began practice March 24. Since that time, Rhule says there have been few players who have really stood out. As a result, when asked how many of the 22 starting positions have been locked up, the answer is not surprising.

"There is open competition all over," Rhule said. "That's a good thing. And that competition is a part of what we really want here. It's pushing everyone."

Quarterback is one area where there is no competition. That job belongs to P.J. Walker who, with just seven starts, set freshman records for passing with 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Walker said he's much more comfortable in the offense and that the team, in general, is ready to get 2014 started.

"There is more trust because we are familiar with each other," Walker said. "Last year hurt. It's motivation to get started on this season."