Temple fans to get first look at Addazio in-game

By now, the Philadelphia area knows Steve Addazio is a master motivator and solid recruiter.

Thursday night, fans will get a glimpse of Addazio, the in-game coach.

That's when Temple officially begins the Addazio era against Villanova in the third annual Mayor's Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field. As of now, the rivalry game is not scheduled past next season.

"I'm pretty fired up about it," said Addazio, a longtime college assistant making his head coaching debut. "I'm really anxious to get this thing going."

On paper, one would assume, the Wildcats are the perfect team against which to start his career.

Villanova lost 12 starters - most notably offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, wideout Matt Szczur, quarterback Chris Whitney, and linebacker Terence Thomas - from last season's Football Championship Subdivision national semifinalist.

Young and inexperienced, the Wildcats have five true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen listed on their starting lineup.

The Football Bowl Subdivision Owls, on the other hand, are expected to contend for the Mid-American Conference East Division title.

"But we look at it as an intense game," Temple linebacker Tahir Whitehead said of facing the Wildcats. "We want to play them hard. We know that they are going to play us hard.

"It's going to be a competitive game. That's every year. We are going to have to fight."

At least that's what has happened in the previous two Mayor's Cup meetings.

The inaugural game ended with Nick Yako kicking a 32-yard field goal as time expired to give Villanova a 27-24 victory. Last season, Temple scored nine points in the final three seconds to win, 31-24.

"For us, this is a very big game," Owls defensive end Morkeith Brown said, "because it is two teams out of the same city with a great tradition in sports."

Temple will make a game-time decision on who wins the starting quarterback battle between junior Mike Gerardi and sophomore Chris Coyer.

Chester Stewart, a fifth-year senior quarterback, and senior cornerback Kee-ayre Griffin are suspended for the season opener for a violation of team policies.

Stewart started the first seven games last season, while Griffin started nine games.

When Temple gets settled at quarterback, there is a thought it could challenge for the Owls' first MAC title.

Just don't tell Addazio. At least not before the game.

"I'm dealing with Thursday," he said. "That's how I think. Right now, nothing else matters."