Temple RB Pierce back to practicing

THE GOOD news for Temple (6-4) is, Bernard Pierce is practicing.

Whether he'll be able to start Saturday afternoon at the Linc against Army (3-7), first-year coach Steve Addazio isn't ready to say. Or even if he'll play, and, if so, how much.

"I don't know," Addazio said yesterday. "I'm worried about today."

Pierce, who's rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, missed last Wednesday's 24-21 home win against Miami after taking a late hit to the head on Nov. 2 in the 35-31 loss at Ohio, where he was playing on a tender hamstring.

Matt Brown, as he's done before, took over and accounted for 172 all-purpose yards to win Mid-American Conference East Division Offensive Player of the Week laurels. He's now rushed for 100 or more yards four times, three in games when Pierce also got to triple figures.

Pierce is 6-foot, 220 pounds. Brown goes 5-5, 170. The Owls obviously have a better chance with both of them on the field.

But Pierce isn't the only guy who's been hurt. Center John Palumbo has missed three of the last five games, and the Owls have been without redshirt freshman cornerback Anthony Robey for four of the last six.

"Obviously we need [Pierce]," Addazio said. "He's dinged up [with an ankle injury]. It seems like forever right now. We're hoping he'll be ready this week. We'll see what happens.

"It seems like this year, I'll leave [his weekly news conference] and by 3 o'clock someone will have like a cold or something and be out of practice. Honest to God, I'm just getting to the point where I'm rolling out there and we'll roll with whoever we have. And whoever isn't, I'm not worried about it. I'm just not.

"You've got to be careful you don't expend a lot of energy angsting over all the stuff that is simply out of your control, especially on Tuesday. That's my feeling. Our offensive guys will take about 60-some reps today, so there'll be no shortage of opportunities to run yourself silly."

Anyone who's going to Temple's game against Army can do their part for a very worthy cause this holiday season.

In honor of Military Appreciation Day, the U.S. Marine Corps will be collecting items for the Toys for Tots program at the entrance gates from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Fans can donate new, unwrapped toys, which will then be distributed to needy children throughout the community.

It's also Parent-Touchdown Toss Day. All youngsters 14 and under accompanied by an adult can participate on the field following the game.