Temple's message: Forget about last year's football success
As far as coach Matt Rhule is concerned, the Owls can enjoy the memories of last season - when their playing careers end.
As Temple held its first football practice Saturday in preparation for the Sept. 2 opener against Army at Lincoln Financial Field, the theme was clear: All that was accomplished last year has to be put in the rearview mirror.
Coming off a 10-4 season that tied a school record for wins, an East Division championship in the American Athletic Conference, a berth the Boca Raton Bowl, the first win since 1941 over Penn State, and a valiant effort in a nationally televised, 24-20 loss to Notre Dame, Temple enjoyed a season of accomplishment.
As far as coach Matt Rhule is concerned, the Owls can enjoy the memories of last season - when their playing careers end.
"Our kids have to understand that last year doesn't exist," Rhule said.
If the players want to make Rhule explode, they will discuss last season during practice.
"I want to make sure we can run gassers and get to practice on time," said Rhule, who enters his fourth season as head coach.
Rhule spoke to the media after the first of two practice sessions. The veterans were in the first session and the younger players in the second. It will be like this for the first three days as a way to teach the younger players before having them compete with the veterans.
After the first session, Rhule sent his vets one of many messages that will arrive this season.
"I am anxious to see if they will buy into all the details it takes to be great," he said. "Based on this morning, I am not sure they understand that yet."
The team is relatively healthy and the biggest position change has seen junior Sean Chandler, a two-year starter at cornerback, moving to safety. This is a way to take advantage of his playmaking ability even more.
"At first it wasn't easy, but I picked my coaches' brains and now I am coning along," said Chandler, a Camden High product who had four interceptions last season, two that he returned for touchdowns.
Among the more competitive positions could be receiver, where the leading returner is redshirt sophomore Ventell Bryant (39 receptions, 579 yards, 3 TDs).
Temple, which averaged just 20.8 yards on kickoff returns, is looking for a returner to step up. Among the candidates are sophomore running backs Ryquell Armstead and Jager Gardner.
Owls notes
The starting times for seven of Temple's 12 regular-season games have been determined after an announcement Friday that the Sept. 24 home game with Charlotte will begin at noon. It will be the third of three straight early afternoon games, starting Sept. 10 against visiting Stony Brook at 1 p.m. and the next Saturday with a noon game at Penn State. . . . Freshman linebacker Sean Bradley, impressive in offseason workouts, is sidelined with a hamstring injury. . . . Safety Nate L. Smith, who started seven games and was fourth on the team with 54 tackles, is lower on the depth chart because of an injury and working on "attention to detail" issues, according to Rhule. . . . Brodrick Yancy, who saw action in the spring at safety, will remain at receiver. . . . Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Atoki, who has great speed, has moved from safety to outside linebacker. . . . Rhule said that defensive lineman Jullian Taylor and fullback Nick Sharga were limited by injury. . . . Defensive back Jyquis Thomas, a redshirt sophomore coming off shoulder surgery, practiced but will be limited when the team practices in pads, Rhule said.
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