Brown, Coyer lead Temple in rout of 'Nova
Look out Big East, these Temple Owls are winners.
Matt Brown ran for 141 yards and a long score, Chris Coyer had a touchdown passing and rushing, and Temple beat Villanova 41-10 on Friday night in its first game since returning to a conference that kicked them out eight years ago.
"I wanted us to establish that toughness and see us play that smash-mouth football," coach Steve Addazio said, pumping his fist for emphasis. "And, we did."
The Owls won their third straight Mayor's Cup — presented to the winner of this city rivalry — in the finale of this series played before 32,709 fans at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
These clearly aren't the same Owls who used to be a pushover and were booted out of the Big East in 2004. Al Golden turned the program around before bolting for Miami, and Addazio kept it rolling last year in the MAC.
Addazio led Temple to a 9-4 record and the second bowl victory in school history, a 37-15 rout of Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.
The Owls picked up where they left off last December, dominating inferior Villanova from start to finish as Bill Cosby, the most famous of Temple alums, looked on.
Coyer connected with Kenneth Harper on an 8-yard shovel pass for a score to put Temple up 7-0 on their first possession. Coyer threw just three passes during the 14-play drive, completing all of them for 30 yards.
"We executed very well the first drive made a lot of really good reads," Coyer said. "Then we had some hiccups."
The Wildcats answered on the ensuing possession, driving down to Temple's 3. But they couldn't push it in and settled for Mark Hamilton's 21-yard field goal.
Temple went up 14-3 when Vaughn Carraway intercepted Chris Polony's pass and returned it 58 yards for a TD.
"We're a young defense and we're gonna get better," Carraway said.
Another turnover two plays later set up Coyer's 19-yard TD run that made it 21-3, and the rout was on.
Just when it seemed Villanova had gained momentum going into the half on John Robertson's 5-yard TD run late in the second quarter, the Owls struck back 43 seconds later.
Brown burst through the line and sprinted 56 yards for a score to make it 28-10 with 21 seconds left in the half.
"I think they broke our back with that run," Villanova coach Andy Talley said.
Harper had a 38-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Temple's Spencer Reid, son of Eagles coach Andy Reid, entered late in the game and carried three times for 4 yards. Andy Reid and his wife Tammy were there to greet their son afterward.
An energized crowd — the third-largest for Temple at the Linc — showed up hours before kickoff to tailgate in the parking lots. Once they made it inside, the maroon-and-white portion of the fans had plenty to cheer about.
Temple had 10 seasons of one or two victories spanning their Big East years of 1991-2004. The Owls were forced out of the conference after 13 years for failing to meet minimum requirements for membership, most notably in attendance, facilities and fielding a competitive team.
Temple played as an independent and eventually landed in the Mid-American Conference in 2007. While there, it turned its program around and ran off winning seasons the past three years.
The Owls rejoined the Big East for football in March and all other sports in 2013. They'll host South Florida on Oct. 6 in their first conference game. -- (AP)
Temple expects ‘Nova’s best in Mayor’s Cup
When Temple and Villanova clash tonight in the Mayor’s Cup, Steve Addazio, Owls head coach, is expecting a big game from the Wildcats in this local matchup at Lincoln Financial Field. Addazio feels the Wildcats bring a lot of experience into this contest, which will begin at 7 p.m.
“We’re playing a Villanova team that obviously, last year, was a very inexperienced team,” Addazio said. “Now, they return eight starters on offense and 10 on defense. That’s a team coming back with all their guys. They got No. 8 Norman White who is an outstanding receiver. He’s a pro talent. He’s a big guy. He can go up and catch the ball and make plays on you. He’s a real threat.
“Chris Polony is their quarterback. He’s a guy who gets them in the right place. He brings consistency to their offense. He gets the ball to Norman White and players that can make plays. Austin Medley is their running back. He really came on at the end of last year. He’s a talented guy. They got a better offensive line coming back.
“On defense, Ronnie Akins is their safety. Their nose guard Antoine Lewis and their linebacker Dillon Lucas and Devon Bridges is a linebacker who runs like heck to the ball. I’m impressed with them.”
A year ago, Temple handled Villanova very easily, 42-7. The Wildcats did struggle with a lot of youth and inexperience last year. They finished the season with a 2-9 overall record. Villanova should be one of the top teams in the CAA this season, which happens to be one of the best FCS conferences in the nation.
Temple is coming off a 9-4 overall and a 5-3 record in the MAC (second East) in Addazio’s first year. In addition, Temple defeated Wyoming, 37-15, to win the New Mexico Bowl last season.
The Owls will miss running back Bernard Pierce who is a rookie for the Baltimore Ravens. Pierce surpassed Paul Palmer to end his collegiate career as the school’s all-time scoring leader with 324 points. Pierce also had 273 carries for 1,481 yards and 27 touchdowns. Temple will have to replace him. It looks as if they will use two running backs to bolster that ground attack with Matt Brown and Montel Harris.
Harris transferred to Temple for his fifth and final season of eligibility. He received his degree in communications from Boston College. The ACC’s all-time career rusher (3,735 yards), Harris leads all returning BCS players in career rushing yards.
Brown played extremely well last season. He had 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries. Brown has been named to the All-Purpose Trophy Watch List. The 5-foot-5 running back handles kickoff and punt returns.
Offensively, the Owls will be led by junior quarterback Chris Coyer, who was named the Offensive MVP of the New Mexico Bowl completing 8-of-12 passes for 169 yards and rushed for 71 yards in the team’s victory. Temple also has junior signal caller Clinton “Juice” Granger from George Washington High. Granger provides the Owls with plenty of depth at quarterback.
This marks the 33rd meeting between the Owls and the Wildcats since 1908, renewing a 102-year old cross-town rivalry. The game is the last in a series of four Mayor’s Cup games. The Wildcats hold a 16-14-2 series advantage.
NOTES: Temple’s 2012 class of signees — three draftees in running back Bernard Pierce, tight end Evan Rodriguez and linebacker Tahir Whitehead and nine rookie free agents — set the school record for the largest NFL signing with 12 players.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Raheem Brock to host annual charity event
Raheem Brock knows the importance of making a difference on and off the field. Brock, an NFL free agent, who starred at Dobbins and Temple, will host the Raheem Brock 6th annual Charity Weekend.
Brock has played 10 seasons in the NFL. He played eight years (2002–2009) for the Indianapolis Colts where he helped them win the 2007 Super Bowl XLI championship. The 6-foot-4, 274-pound defensive end, played the last two seasons (2010, 2011) for the Seattle Seahawks.
The weekend of events brings together a number of his NFL and celebrity friends, family and the city of Philadelphia to support the efforts of the Raheem Brock Foundation, which helps inner city kids.
On Friday, June 8, Brock will be participating in a discussion panel at Dobbins, speaking to students about achieving their future goals. The focus will be on social, athletic and academic development. He will wrap up the day by visiting Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
On Saturday, June 9, there will be a flag football game with celebrities and Dobbins alumni at 10 a.m. The game will be played at Edberg Olson Hall/Chodoff Field, 10th and Diamond streets. Immediately following the game, Brock will celebrate his grand opening of Brock’s Wings at 1600 North Broad Street. Brock will have a birthday party at the Chart House from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
On June 10, Brock and his friends will be going to Temple coach Steve Addazio’s football camp to speak with the players. The camp is held at the Temple football facility.
“It’s nice to be able to continue to give back to the community,” Brock said. “I give out scholarships, talk to kids and take them to hospitals. I just try to help the kids. Hopefully, it will keep going for awhile and keep growing. I have a lot of people who come out and support it. I want to continue to help the program grow and help kids from the inner city. I’m going to have some (former) Temple football players like Jason McKie, Dan Klecko, Lance Johnstone and other guys come to the event. Hugh Douglas (former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end) and Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts) will be coming. It should be a lot of fun.”
Brock is also looking forward to getting back on the field. He says he’s still capable of playing some great football.
“Right now, I’m just waiting for the right situation,” he said. “I want to be with a team that’s going to compete for the playoffs. I want to help a playoff-caliber team. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career. I’ve won a Super Bowl. I’ve been in the playoffs every year except for last season. I played with some (future) hall of fame players like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison.
“But I think it’s great to come back and have an event like this to help out the kids and community. It’s nice to see people from Temple and Dobbins. I still stay in touch with them.”
For more information on Brock’s charity weekend, go to www.raheembrock.com.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
New Temple coach says recruiting starts here
Temple has certainly hired a coach who knows a lot about the football program. Matt Rhule was named the Owls new head football coach on Monday. Rhule, who has 15 years of coaching experience on the college and pro levels, will take the reins on North Broad Street.
Moreover, Rhule, a State College, Pa. native, and former Penn State player, is familiar with Temple football. He has 14 years of collegiate coaching experience, including six years at Temple and six bowl games—two with the Owls. Rhule most recently served as the assistant offensive line coach with the New York Giants. As soon as the season is over, he’ll be at Temple on a regular basis.
But Rhule, 37, knows most of the players. He recruited several of them. And they’re excited to have him as their head coach.
“He was the coach here for six years before this,” said Chris Coyer, Temple quarterback. “He’s a coach who has been very endearing to a lot of players. A lot of the guys on the team love him. We all felt that he was the right guy for the job.”
During his previous tenure with the Owls, his role changed on several occasions. Last spring, he was promoted to co-offensive coordinator after serving as the assistant offensive coordinator and tight ends coach as well as the recruiting coordinator under Steve Addazio in 2011. Addazio recently left Temple to become the head coach at Boston College. Temple’s 2012 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the Mid-American Conference. Rhule helped to lay the foundation for the program’s transition to the Big East Conference.
Under former Temple coach Al Golden, Rhule was promoted to offensive coordinator in the spring of 2008. He also coached the Owls quarterbacks. He coached the defensive line in 2006 and served as the quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
In 2011, the Owls posted a 9-4 record and played in their fourth bowl game in school history, the New Mexico Bowl, where Temple defeated Wyoming, 37-15. It was the school’s first postseason win since the 1979 Garden State Bowl. Rhule mentored two-time first-team All-MAC selection tight end Evan Rodriguez. For the second time in his tenure, the Owls set the school single-season rushing yardage record and rushing touchdowns record behind the explosive efforts of All-MAC running backs Bernard Pierce and Matt Brown.
In 2010, he led the offense to the largest margin of victory in a MAC game. Rhule helped the team post an 8-4 regular-season record. The Owls put together two consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1978-79, including their first win over a BCS team.
In 2009, Rhule’s offense helped the Owls win a single-season record nine consecutive games en route to a 9-4 overall mark and a first place tie in the MAC East. Under his tutelage, the Owls set the Temple single-season rushing yardage record.
In 2008, he started as offensive coordinator, guiding Temple to its most wins in nearly 20 years. The Owls out-scored their opponents for the season for the first time since 1990. Bruce Francis, former Owls wide receiver, set school records for career receiving touchdowns (23) and consecutive games with a reception.
Rhule came to Temple from Western Carolina, where he was an assistant for four years. The Owls new head coach will try to get the team back on the winning track. Temple finished the season with a 2-5 league mark and a 4-7 overall record.
The players are happy to have him back. Rhule is happy to be back at Temple, too. Pretty soon he’ll have a chance to hit the recruiting trail in the Philadelphia area.
“It will always start right here in our footprint and really right here within the city itself,” Rhule said. “My philosophy is going to be this. We’re going to recruit and relentlessly recruit everybody within this one hour radius.”
If Rhule can do that, he’ll be off to a good start as Temple’s head football coach.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Addazio leaves Temple for Boston College
BOSTON — Boston College has hired Steve Addazio away from Temple to be the Eagles' next coach.
Addazio, a Connecticut native, went 13-11 in two seasons with the Owls since taking over for Al Golden in Philadelphia.
Temple is coming off a 4-7 season. In his first season with the Owls, Addazio went 9-4 and won the New Mexico Bowl.
He replaces Frank Spaziani, who was fired after four seasons as head coach and 16 overall at BC. Spaziani went 22-29 with the Eagles.
"Steve Addazio has done a tremendous job with Temple football in his two years at the university, and we wish him nothing but the best," Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw said. "Temple football has never been stronger, and I am confident we will be able to attract a high-level pool of candidates for the position and the program will continue its upward momentum."
Temple's 37-15 win in New Mexico was the program's first bowl win in 32 years. This season, the schedule increased in difficulty as the Owls left the Mid-American Conference for the Big East. Temple went 2-5 in the league this year.
Addazio, who was on the staff at Florida when the Gators won two BCS national championships in five years, was named Temple's 25th coach Dec. 23, 2010.
Boston College went 2-10 this season, and 1-7 in the ACC. -- (AP)
Temple RB Brown garners recognition
Matt Brown is a little man who has attracted some big time recognition. Brown, Temple’s quick-footed running back, has been named to the 2012 Paul Hornung Award Watch List. Now, in its third year, the award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football by the Louisville Sports Commission and football legend Paul Hornung.
He is one of 49 players named to this prestigious list. He’s also one of the smallest running backs in the country at 5-foot-5, 165 pounds.
Brown, a two-time, All-MAC selection, played in all 13 Owls’ games with two starts last fall. He was the Owls’ second leading rusher with 916 yards on 155 carries while scoring six touchdowns. He was Temple’s top kickoff returner with 703 yards and a TD on 28 returns and best punt returner with 182 yards on 18 returns on the season.
“Matt is a hard worker that really likes football,” said Steve Addazio, Temple head coach. “He loves ball. He loves to compete. Those are the strengths of Matt Brown and he has the ability. He’s certainly a guy who will make his mark this year.”
Chris Coyer, Owls quarterback, knows Brown is a player who can make a lot of plays on the ground. Coyer also knows that size is not a factor in terms of the way Brown plays football.
“Matt may be a little guy, but he plays bigger than anyone I’ve ever seen,” Coyer said. “He’s one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with. When he’s on the field, he’s a tough guy who can take the load and take the hits and give a few hits. He’s just been a tremendous competitor ever since I’ve been on this team.”
Brown is impressed with the latest honor, which puts him in a special category for college football running backs. Although he’s pleased with the recognition, he plans to keep his sleeves rolled up.
“I’m just going to keep working,” Brown said. “I’m going to keep on working to get better. I just want to get better. That’s my thoughts. I just put my head down. I’m determined. I try to perfect my craft. I try to improve my weaknesses. I watch a lot of film. I just try to work on everything.
Brown played in the same backfield with Bernard Pierce, Owls brilliant running back. Pierce finished his Temple career with 653 carries for 3,570 yards and 53 rushing TDs. He caught 19 passes for 178 yards and one TD. He was selected as the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. Pierce, former Glen Mills star, was selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens.
Brown will pick up a lot of Pierce’s carries. He will be the Owls major threat on the ground. Brown has some big shoes to fill. He seems to be up for the challenge providing the Owls with a great rushing attack. Brown keeps in touch with Pierce, who is currently in the Ravens training camp.
“I’ve been in contact with him a couple times,” Brown said. “We’ve met up a few times. We’ve been talking. I was asking him how he was doing out there. He was giving me feedback. I’m doing whatever I can do to get to where he is. He plays for the Ravens. That’s my hometown team. He’s in my hometown. I’m in his hometown.”
Brown, a Baltimore native, will be playing in a big hometown game for a lot of local fans in Philadelphia in a few weeks. Temple opens the season with Villanova in the fourth annual Mayor’s Cup on Friday, August 31 at Lincoln Financial Field at 7 p.m.
“It’s definitely a big game,” Brown said. “It’s a cross-town rival. It’s going to be an exciting game. Every year, it’s been an exciting game.”
NOTE: The 2012 watch list is comprised of 25 seniors, 16 juniors and eight sophomores, representing 44 universities and 10 conferences that are part of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The selection committee comprised of 16 national sports journalists and former college and NFL players, will narrow the field to a small group of finalists in early December. The winner will be selected in early January from among the finalists following the bowl season.
Contact Staff Writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Irv Sigler inducted into Bloomsburg U. Hall
Irv Sigler, former George Washington High football star, will be inducted into the Bloomsburg University Hall of Fame on November 2. Sigler was a four-year football player for the Huskies who was named the school’s first and only winner of the Harlon Hill Award as the top player in Division II. Despite being just 17 when beginning his career for the Huskies and only being a two-year starter, Sigler was named first-team All-PSAC three times, including being named the 1996 and 1997 PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Player of the Year.
In 1997, Sigler won the Harlon Hill Award as the top player in Division II after he finished second in rushing (203.8), fourth in scoring (12.0 ppg), and third in all-purpose yards (213.1). He also established the PSAC record for rushing yards in a season with 2,038. In 1997, he was one of only two running backs in Division II history to average more than 200 yards a game in a season and gained 100 yards or more in all 10 games for the Huskies, including a string of five straight games with 200 yards or more. He also scored five touchdowns in a 68-6 win over Cheyney, becoming the first PSAC player to accomplish that feat twice in a career. He was also named to three All-American teams that year, including first team AP Little All-America. In addition, Sigler started and scored the only rushing TD for the East All Stars in the North Dakota Snow Bowl National All Star Contest following the regular season.
During his career, Sigler set or tied 29 national and school records. He rushed for a combined 3,802 yards during junior and senior seasons, scoring 45 touchdowns in that span. Sigler graduated as the all-time leading rusher in PSAC history with 5,105 career rushing yards.
Since graduating from Bloomsburg in 1999 Sigler has worked primarily in behavioral health and educational fields since receiving his BS in business management in August 1999. Since then, he has worked as therapeutic support personnel from 2001 to 2004 in various schools and home based working environments. From 2004 to 2007, he was a health and physical education teacher for the School District of Philadelphia.
While working with grades 1–12 during that time, he was a middle school head basketball coach for Blaine Elementary and Fitzsimons Young Men’s Leadership Academy, as well as started, prepared and was the first junior varsity and varsity football coach at Fitzsimons School history during the time he was getting his master’s degree in education at Philadelphia Biblical University.
After working for the school district, Sigler worked as a financial consultant with a Wall Street investment firm (First Investor’s Corporation) prior to returning to behavioral health and education as his major fields of focus. He is now working back in behavioral health as he heads back to school in the fall to finish his master’s degree in education.
Sigler and his wife Sommer have three children, Irvin III (8 years old), daughter Taylor Delaine (5 years old) and Ronald III (2 years old) and reside in Philadelphia.
DeSean Jackson Youth Football Camp this weekend
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, will hold his second annual football camp at the Moorestown Upper Elementary School, 325 Borton Landing Road, Moorestown, N.J., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on June 29–30. For more information on the camp, go to www.twenty10sports.com/deseanjackson.
Brown, McManus named to Preseason Watch Lists
The College Football Performance Awards have named two Temple football players to its 2012 preseason watch lists. Senior running back Matt Brown has been named to the All-Purpose Trophy Watch List. In addition to the backfield, the 5-foot-5 Owl handles kickoff and punt returns.
Senior placekicker and punter Brandon McManus is listed on two watch lists, for placekicker and specialist.
CFPA honors players at each position weekly throughout the season. The official 2012 annual awards announcement is slated for January 9, 2013.
Brown played in all 13 games last season with three starts at running back. He finished second in team rushing with 916 yards and six touchdowns on 155 carries. The team’s top kickoff returner, he had 703 yards and a TD on 28 returns. At punt returner, he led Temple with 182 yards on 18 returns on the season.
Temple’s placekicker for three seasons, McManus took over punting duties in 2011. In 13 games, McManus was second in team scoring with 98 points. He led the MAC with a perfect 50-of-50 in PATs. McManus punted 46 times for 2,105 yards. Fifteen of those 46 landed inside the 20, while 16 were longer than 50 yards. McManus earned national specialist honors seven times during the season.
Under the guidance of second year head coach Steve Addazio, this season’s team returns 35 lettermen, including nine starters. Temple opens the season with Villanova in the fourth annual Mayor’s Cup on August 31 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Temple example of stability compared to Pitt, PSU
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Major college football is in a state of flux at Penn State and Pittsburgh.
By comparison, Temple — Pennsylvania's other Football Bowl Subdivision school — is on steady ground.
In Steve Addazio's first season — taking over Al Golden's rebuilding project — Temple finished its second nine-win season in three years with a 37-15 victory last week over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.
"I just think, obviously, right now we're focused on trying to do the best job we can in recruiting," Addazio said when asked to assess how the situations at Penn State and Pitt might impact Temple from a football standpoint.
"Right now this is a great opportunity to build our brand, to help people focus in on where Temple has come from and where (it's) headed," Addazio said. "What it does is it helps you continue to strengthen yourself in the state of Pennsylvania."
Temple went 1-11 its first season under Golden in 2006, then won 26 over the next four years before Golden left to coach Miami. Addazio, the former assistant at Florida under Urban Meyer, maintained the momentum with a 9-4 season.
Now he's on a well-deserved holiday break and resting up before the January recruiting push.
"You get a great surge, a tremendous finish," Addazio said, referring to Temple's season-ending four-game winning streak. "The national exposure helps you when you come back."
A member of the Mid-American Conference, Temple doesn't play in a league with an automatic BCS bid like Penn State and Pitt.
But those schools have also had unstable coaching situations.
That once was never an issue at Penn State under the 46-year tenure of Hall of Famer Joe Paterno as head coach.
But he was fired Nov. 9 in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. Paterno, who testified before a grand jury investigating Sandusky, is not a target of the probe. Sandusky is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to the allegations.
Longtime assistant Tom Bradley took over as interim coach and will lead Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl on Jan. 2 against Houston. Still, it's six weeks and counting without a permanent head coach, and nearly a month since the school announced it had formed a six-person search committee — a relative eternity when it comes to search timelines.
Then again, this search is occurring amid circumstances never before seen in college athletics.
"As I'm sure all can appreciate, this is a very important hire for Penn State," acting athletic director David Joyner said Thursday in a statement. "As a result, the search committee is taking a very deliberate and measured approach to the process in order to identify the coach that best fits the requirements of the position."
Pitt on Thursday introduced Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst as its new head coach, a little more than a week after Todd Graham's stunning departure for Arizona State following just one season in western Pennsylvania.
That was a more typical coaching search timeline, though the coaching position at Pitt has been anything but typical the last 13 months. Graham left following a disappointing 6-6 season, having spent less than a year on campus. Chryst was in the mix in 2010 to replace Dave Wannstedt and Mike Haywood before Pitt went with Graham.
"I do believe it's about what you do and not about what you say," Chryst said Thursday at his introductory news conference. "I'm not going to sit up and talk here about who I am. But I am really excited to roll up our sleeves and go about it with this group of players."
Pitt eventually plans to move to the ACC. With its top-notch facilities, academic reputation and fervent fan base, Penn State could also reverse momentum quickly once it settles on a new leader.
By comparison, Temple gets overshadowed in its own town with its hectic sports scene, let alone by Penn State and Pitt.
But Addazio hopes Temple can keep getting noticed and building on its recent success.
"We are going to keep growing," he said. The success "helps us build our brand. That's really important ... We want to be embedded in the culture of the city of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania." -- (AP)
Temple, PSU match a new chapter in state rivalry
There will be a huge football game played at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday and this game doesn’t involve the Philadelphia Eagles. It will be a big day for college football at the Linc. Temple will host Penn State at noon. The game will be televised on ESPN.
The Owls (2-0) and the Nittany Lions (1-1) will clash in what should be an interesting match-up. This game is for bragging rights in the state, which has an impact when it comes to recruiting. Temple has recruited local players such as Daquan Cooper, Brandon Chudnoff and Clinton Granger, while Penn State has grabbed Deion Barnes (Northeast) and Shawn Oakman (Penn Wood) over the last year.
Furthermore, Penn State has really dominated the series. The Nittany Lions lead the series 36-3-1. The Owls haven’t beaten the Nittany Lions since 1941. That’s 70 years. Paterno has a 27-0 against Temple. Steve Addazio, Temple’s first-year head coach, knows this is an important game. However, Addazio is trying to keep everything in perspective.
“We’re going to approach it the same way we approach every week,” Addazio said. “I can’t sit here and tell you that it’s not more giddy-up in your step. That’s the competitor in everybody. We understand Penn State is coming here. It’s a storied program. We’re here at 10th and Diamond. We want to have an opportunity to take our crack.”
A year ago, Temple took a good shot at Penn State in Beaver Stadium. The Owls fell to the Nittany Lions, 22-13, in Happy Valley. It was a really close game. The game seemed to turn after the Owls’ star running back Bernard Pierce was injured in the first quarter. Pierce had already scored two touchdowns and rushed for 42 yards on 10 attempts.
The former Glen Mills standout has been sensational in the Owls’ first two victories. In the win over Villanova, he finished with 20 carries for 147 yards and three touchdowns. In Temple’s 41-3 victory over Akron, he had 18 carries for 150 yards and three TDs. He is the sixth leading rusher in the nation. He averages 7.8 yards a carry. Pierce has 297 rushing yards and six TDs. He could play a big role in how well Temple does against Penn State.
“I think Bernard has had a great winter, great spring, great preseason and has done well the first two games,” Addazio said. “It’s another week and an opportunity. It’s going to be a little faster and a little bigger and the game is going to be a little more supped up. That’s just the way it is. He’s going to rise to that and have a great game.”
The Nittany Lions are coming off a disappointing 27-11 loss to No. 2 ranked Alabama. Penn State opened the season with a lopsided 41-7 victory over Indiana State. The Nittany Lions would like to pick up a win against their in-state rival. Addazio expects Penn State to be well prepared for this contest.
“There’s going to be emotion,” Addazio said. “It’s classic in these kinds of games. My job is to make sure that we play with great passion, great energy and great emotion. That’s the standard you play with and not just try to go too far on that and make sure we execute at a high level. We understand it’s going to be a four-quarter game. We got to get this thing down to the fourth quarter. It’s going to be a lot of peaks and valleys in this game. That’s the way it is.”
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Cheyney president calls for self-imposed probation
In a recent announcement, Cheyney University president Michelle Howard-Vital stated “Cheyney University has self-imposed two years of probation on its athletic department after self-reporting NCAA violations that occurred when multiple student athletes were not registered with the NCAA’s eligibility center. As such, Cheyney athletics will voluntarily not participate in the PSAC/NCAA 2012–2013 tournaments and will vacate victories of affected programs.”
Her statement continued, “All student-athletes that participated while ineligible that are still members of institutional teams have gone through reinstatement process. All student-athletes were certified for competition during the 2011–2012 academic year. In addition to incorporating safeguards regarding certification of eligibility of student athletes, the institution will increase compliance staff and increase NCAA rules education for students, staff and university personnel.”
Developmental Basketball League finishes 39th season
The Developmental Basketball League, Inc. just completed its 39th summer league season providing opportunities for many high school women basketball players in the city. The DBL was started in 1973 by Ina Newman and Lurline Jones. Newman and Jones are two former Public League basketball coaches. Newman coached for many years at Simon Gratz and Jones was a long time coach at University City High School.
The league has produced some great players such as Yolanda Laney, Marilyn Stephens, Dawn Staley, Andrea Gardner, Shawnetta Stewart and others. The DBL put the finishing touches on its summer league with an all-star game and championship game earlier this week. The league gave the fans a chance to see some of the up and coming players in the Public League such as Tiffany Then (Paul Robeson) and Bryce Garrett (Communications Tech). In addition, the league honored Stanley Jones for 25 years of service to the program.
Temple picked eighth in preseason Big East poll
Temple was picked eighth in the preseason annual media poll in the Owls’ return to Big East play. The Owls bring just 10 starters back from last year’s team that went 9-4. Head coach Steve Addazio will turn to a solid running back tandem of Montel Harris — the active career rushing leader among FBS players, and Matt Brown. Louisville was chosen as the favorite to win the Big East championship.
Sixers sign rookie free agent Wayns
The Philadelphia 76ers have signed rookie free agent guard Maalik Wayns, former Roman Catholic and Villanova standout. Wayns, a 6-foot-2, 200-pounder, was an early entry candidate for the NBA draft following his junior year at Villanova.
He was named second team All Big East in 2011–12 after averaging team-highs of 17.6 points and 4.6 assists to go along with 3.8 rebounds a game. Wayns ranked seventh in the nation in free throw shooting (89.2 percent) this past season.
As a member of the Orlando Magic in the Orlando Pro Summer League, Wayns appeared in three games, averaging 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 26.7 minutes. He was ranked second in the league in both assists and steals per game.
Wayns joins a Sixers team that has fellow Big 5 member and former Temple standout Lavoy Allen, who just completed his rookie year.
Summer Youth Basketball League scheduled this month
Boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 16 can sign up for the summer youth basketball league. The Philadelphia Future League will play its games at Fisher Park, Fifth and Spencer streets during the month of August. This community effort was organized by Honorable State Representative Mark Cohen and Honorable City Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco. Ducky Birts is an adviser. For more information, contact Sonja Thomas at (215) 200-6144.
Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .