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Freshman RB Ryquell Armstead playing bigger role for Owls

Temple running back Ryquell Armstead saw his most action Friday in a 37-3 win at Charlotte, but he had to shake off a rough beginning to stay on the field.

Temple's back Ryquell Armstead runs with the football past USF's Daniel Awoleke (center) and Hassan Childs during the fourth-quarter on Friday, October 21, 2016 in Philadelphia.
Temple's back Ryquell Armstead runs with the football past USF's Daniel Awoleke (center) and Hassan Childs during the fourth-quarter on Friday, October 21, 2016 in Philadelphia.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Temple running back Ryquell Armstead saw his most action Friday in a 37-3 win at Charlotte, but he had to shake off a rough beginning to stay on the field.

The freshman fumbled the opening kickoff, but Temple retained possession as the ball went out of bounds. "I am glad it didn't keep me out of playing," Armstead said.

When Armstead returned to the sideline, coach Matt Rhule had a simple bit of advice. "He came off pretty upset with himself," said Rhule, whose 4-0 Owls host Tulane (2-2) on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. "I said, 'It's OK, just keep playing.'"

That's what Armstead did.

He had a season-best 11 carries for 43 yards. They aren't earth-shattering numbers, but it was another step in the development of the 5-foot-11, 205-pound product of South Jersey's Millville High - yes, the alma mater of baseball all-star Mike Trout.

Armstead's development is crucial for the Owls because junior running back Jahad Thomas has been carrying a heavy load.

Thomas has rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns. He has 100 of the 126 carries by Temple running backs. Both Thomas and the Owls running game are vastly improved. Last season he led the Owls with just 384 yards rushing after converting from cornerback.

Still, the 5-10, 180-pound Thomas had key late-game fumbles against Cincinnati and Massachusetts and appeared to wear down at the end of games.

So Rhule is looking for somebody to give Thomas a break. Freshman Jager Gardner is another player vying for carries, although Rhule said Gardner hurt his shoulder and his status is unknown for the Tulane game.

"It is always great when I can come out and catch a breather," Thomas said. "The development of Ryquell has been great and all our running backs have been developing since camp."

Armstead concedes that he has experienced some pregame jitters.

"I was nervous back there on kick returns, but the coaches are starting to trust me more and I am getting more confident," said Armstead who has returned two kicks for 38 yards. "I wasn't confident back there [before], but now I am getting more confident and it has shown."

Armstead, who rushed for 1,488 yards and 18 touchdowns last year for Millville, is still at the stage where he must react instead of overthinking on the field, but he also must digest the playbook. "I am learning all the time," he said.

One thing Armstead has yet to do in a game is break a long run, with his longest being 12 yards. Yet each week of practice and each game, Armstead is beginning to feel more comfortable.

"College is way more serious than high school, way different," he said. "You have to compete much harder and it is a challenge, but once you overcome those challenges you feel great."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard