Game Week has finally arrived as the Owls plan on starting their 2019 season off on the right note.
Following the sudden departure of former head coach Geoff Collins to Georgia Tech, and the quick resignation resign of now University of Miami head coach Manny Diaz, Temple welcomed in Rod Carey to lead the squad. The former Northern Illinois University head coach has a career record of 52-30 with 6 bowl appearances.
Temple hopes to start the season off this year on a happier note this Saturday than the last season. Last year’s season opener saw the Owls drop their first game to cross-town rival Villanova. This is a trend that has unfortunately plagued the Owls over the past few years, losing the past three season openers dating back to 2015. This year they open against the Bucknell Bison’s whose previous campaign ended with just one win. The last time these two teams matched up, September 19th, 1970, Temple won 10-3. With Bucknell currently on a six game losing streak from last year, they’ll look to travel to Philly and hand the Owls an early blemish on their record.
Temple quarterback, Anthony Russo, is back to lead an Owls offense that averaged a solid 34.9 PPG last season. However, his availability is currently up in the air this Saturday due to a minor injury.
“Still waiting to see how I feel but, practice went great today.”, Russo said, “I felt great, no pain so I’m looking forward to being able to get out there on Saturday.”
After racking up 2,563 yards with a 58% completion and 14 touchdowns, Russo looks to build off his performances to begin his second full season starting behind center.
Among the new leaders on the defensive side is senior Shawn Bradley. Following the departures of Rock Ya-Sin and Michael Dogbe to the NFL, Bradley is one of three players returning with a single-digit number and is focused on their game against Bucknell.
“Right now we’re pretty much focused on ourselves, where our linemen should be more than anything but other than that probably their tendencies, where they lack at and where we can capitalize.”
Game time for the home opener is set for Saturday, August 21st at 3:00 p.m on ESPN3, 97.5 the Fanatic and WHIP radio.
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