Bowl bid important to Temple seniors
Of the 83 players who have appeared in Temple's 11 games, senior participation has been very scarce. With just eight seniors on the roster, the Owls have the fewest seniors on their roster of any Football Bowl Subdivision team. And of these eight, just five are on the two-deep roster.
Of the 83 players who have appeared in Temple's 11 games, senior participation has been very scarce.
With just eight seniors on the roster, the Owls have the fewest seniors on their roster of any Football Bowl Subdivision team. And of these eight, just five are on the two-deep roster.
Receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick and running back Kenneth Harper have played the largest roles.
Both were a little melancholy last Saturday after their final home game at Lincoln Financial Field ended in a loss to Cincinnati. However, both were emphatic about ending their careers as Owls on a high note, one which they hope includes finishing the season bowl eligible.
Temple (5-6, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) plays its season finale Saturday against Tulane (3-8, 2-5) in New Orleans.
"The chance to get bowl eligible is big for us and very big for the program," Fitzpatrick, the Owls' top receiver, said.
Generously listed at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, the receiver from Harrisburg is having the best season of his career. Through 11 games Fitzpatrick has posted career highs in receptions (50), yards (702) and touchdowns (six).
Heading into Saturday's game, he ranks seventh in receptions (118) in Temple history. With five against Tulane he could jump both Clint Graves (120) and Rich Drayton (122) and move into the No. 5 spot.
The Owls have struggled lately, and most of their problems have been on offense. They have lost three games in a row since upsetting East Carolina, and five of their last six.
Temple at Tulane
When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: New Orleans.
Records: Temple (5-6, 3-4 American Athletic Conference); Tulane (3-8, 2-5 AAC)
TV: ESPN2; Radio: WPHT –AM (1210)
Coaches: Temple, Matt Rhule (2d season, 7-17), Tulane, Curtis Johnson (3d season, 12-24)
Series: Tulane leads the series, 1-0. Tulane won, 20-14, in New Orleans, on Jan. 1, 1935.
Three Things to Watch
The Green Wave (16 INTs, 27 takeaways) will test the accuracy of Temple QB P.J. Walker (14 INTs).
Points shouldn't be too hard to come by against a Green Wave defense that has given up 38 and 34 points, respectively, in its last two games.
In its last game two weeks ago Tulane gained just 24 yards rushing on 27 carries against East Carolina.
Three Things You Might Not Know
The Green Wave and the Owls met in the inaugural Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Tulane capped a 10-1 season with a 20-14 win over Temple for the school's first bowl victory in January 1935.
Temple entered the season with 15 fumble recoveries for TDs in school history. This season they have four.
If the Owls earn a berth in a bowl it will mark their fifth bowl appearance. Temple is 2-2 in its previous four bowl games. - John N. Mitchell
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