Temple-Tulsa in AAC opener: What Owls coach Geoff Collins is saying
Quarterback Frank Nutile, who was injured and missed Saturday's 35-12 win over Maryland, is likely to be a game-time decision, Collins said.
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Here are the key points that Temple football coach Geoff Collins made Tuesday during his news conference as he addressed Saturday's 35-14 win at Maryland and looked ahead to the Owls' American Athletic Conference opener against Tulsa at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Lincoln Financial Field.
On injuries, beginning with quarterback Frank Nutile, who missed Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury:
"Frankie Nutile has been practicing a little more than last week, but probably will still be a game-time decision. [OT] Jimmy McHale will probably be a game-time decision. The same with [PK] Aaron Boumerhi. [DE] Quincy Roche has done a lot more than he did last week. He was scheduled to play 10-15 plays against Maryland. Pregame warmups, Arnold Ebiketie went down and so Quincy just willed himself to play, I think he played 32 snaps in the game. He is a tough guy, wanting to go out and compete with his teammates. And [RB] Tyliek Raynor, we feel really good about Tyliek hopefully getting some carries Thursday night. [TE] Kenny Yeboah will probably be a game-time decision as well. And then [TE] David Martin Robinson, the true freshman who has been doing a lot of things for us, is probably out for Thursday night."
On if Nutile has been practicing fully:
"Everything we do is full, but he has been limited reps-wise."
On whether there was any relief felt after earning the first win:
"I am just happy to go 1-0. Every week has a life of its own. That is all I am worried about."
On Tulsa sophomore quarterback Luke Skipper:
"He has a really nice command of the offense, throws a nice deep ball, is accurate. But what also scared me is he can also hurt you with his feet."
On how quarterback Anthony Russo has done the last couple of days in practice after making his first college start at Maryland:
"The way we practice, every single play we do matters; everything we do matters. We train all of our guys in the program to act like they are starters on every single rep, so he is doing what he has always done and grown to do better and better every week. So not much of a change. He is going out there performing like he has been performing."