No definite return date set for Temple's Deon Miller
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No definite return date set for Temple's Deon Miller
Keith Pompey, Inquirer Staff Writer
One of the biggest questions heading into Temple’s season is the status of wideout Deon Miller.
Miller has been sidelined with a viral illness since the second week of training camp. There have been some speculations that the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder could miss Aug. 31’s season-opener against Villanova while recovering from the illness.
But when asked about the junior’s status, Temple coach Steve Addazio said Miller was fine.
Addazio added that Miller could practice when the Owls resume workouts Friday.
“I’m feeling good, right now,” Miller said. “I’m getting in the groove of things. I’m working out, right now. So I feel good.”
Temple will have a huge hole to fill if he does miss time at the start of the season.
With the loss of last season’s top three receivers, the Virginia native is the top returning pass-catcher. Miller had 18 receptions for 253 yards and three touchdowns while starting 12 games last season.
Meanwhile, tight end Cody Booth (two catches) and wideouts Ryan Alderman (two) and C.J. Hammond (one) combined to make just five receptions last season.
Another wideout, senior Malcolm Eugene, quit the team Monday after struggling during camp.
Alderman, a former walk-on, could get the start at the X-wideout position if Miller is unable to play against the Wildcats.
Alderman looked good at the Spring game, really great possession guy but you need the big endzone frame of Miller. Watch out for Jalen Fitz too, that kid can fly and will be a huge part of the spread this season.— josh2otter- Take Thorazine Vomit Man. It is good for nausea as well as schizophrenia. Temple will hold its own from now on. A viral infection goes away quickly, but stupidity is harder to treat.— damnels
- You Temple fans are really delusional. A good coach he might be, but Temple isn't EVER going to be able to recruit against the big boys. What top recruit's parents will want their kid in NORTH PHILLY? Temple has no money and cannot afford their own stadium. How many top programs have to borrow a field from a Pro Team? Someday, Temple might be able to comptete in the Big East, but how BIG really is the "Big East". They just lost; TCU, WVU, PITT and Syracuse. It's a TOTALLY CRAPPY CONFERANCE!!!!— jonboy
- jony, guess where Pitt plays? Three Rivers Stadium. Guess where Miami plays. Dolphins Stadiuym (or whatever it's called these days). Where does Texas play? Cowboys Stadium. Know where UCLA plays? The Rose Bowl. Want to talk again about big time programs that "borrow" fields from a pro team? Syracuse, TCU, WVA are in the middle of nowhere and have no choice but to play at home. You know nothing. — mike l
- Jonboy, I don't know what you're reading but I don't tihnk anyone above has said that Temple is going to be dominating recruiting in a powerhouse conference. They are in an improved conference by moving up to the Big East from the MAC, and nobody has any delusion that the Big East is a premier football conference. I don't think anyone ever has. There are two premier college football conferences, the rest spit out one/two teams per year. If you don't play in the SEC/Big 12 chances are you're not 1st round, pro material. The Big East is about as tough a football conference as the Big 10 (With 15 teams)— theeutmost
Jonboy has not been on Temple campus lately obviously. And you have to be kidding - we get to play at aone of the best pro venues in the country and you rag on where we play.
The problem for me is we go from being a real powerhouse in a the MAC to so-so in the BE. I am a 78 grad and remember "the bad old days" Things were really getting good and fun now we are in reality taking a step back. Maybe the $$$ will be better for the university, I don't know, but it won't be as exciting and we won't win as much as we have recently.- THE BIG EAST ENABLES TEMPLE TO COMPETE AGAINST REGIONAL RIVALS IN FOOTBALL, RUTGERS INSTEAD OF W MICHIGAN, UCONN INSTEAD OF TOLEDO. IN BASKETBALL THE UPGRADE IS IMMENSE. THE LINC IS A GREAT FACILITY. ADDAZIO AND HIS STAFF ARE TOP FLIGHT. THE UNIVERSITY IS COMMITTED TO THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM. ALL THE PIECE ARE IN PLACE. TEMPLE FOOTBALL IS GOING TO BE THE BEST SHOW IN TOWN. GO OWLS— Amatloff98
- If Miller needs the rest he should get it verse Nova, TU will beat them with two guys from this string playing WR. Miller will be very much needed for the Maryland game and the rest of the year.— Period
- Temple has a good chance to have a solid, bowl game season. They could possibly struggle. Got my fingers crossed for the former. Go Owls.— joninohio
- Forget the season - they need to beat Penn State. I'll be satisfied with just that victory!— jman99
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh graduate. Follow him on Twitter @pompeysgridlock. Reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
