2010 Record: (8-4, 5-3 in MAC)
Head Coach: Steve Addazio (First Time Head Coach)
Last Bowl Game: 2009 Season Eagle Bowl: lost to UCLA 30-21
CFBZ Temple Links
Steve Addazio To Temple: Good Hire Or Potential Bust?
Temple Owls: 2010 Season Exit Survey
Schedule
9/1: Villanova (2010 result: won 31-24)
9/10: at Akron (2010 result: won 30-0)
9/17: Penn State (2010 result: lost 22-13)
9/24: at Maryland
10/1: Toledo (2009 result: 40-24)
10/8: at Ball State (2009 result: won 24-19)
10/15: Buffalo (2010 result: won 42-0)
10/22: at Bowling Green (2010 result: won 28-27)
11/2: at Ohio (2010 result: lost 31-23)
11/9: Miami (Oh) (2010 result: lost 23-3)
11/19: Army (2010 result: won 42-35)
11/25: Kent State (2010 result: won 28-10)
2010 Offensive Statistics:
Scoring: 25.0 ppg (5th in MAC, 79th in Nation)
Rushing Yds/Game: 150.25 yds/game (6th in MAC, 67th in Nation)
Passing Yds/Game: 183.8 yds/game (9th in MAC, 90th in Nation)
Total Yds/Game: 334.1 yds/game (6th in MAC, 89th in Nation)
2010 Defensive Statistics:
Scoring: 19.1 ppg (2nd in MAC, 16th in Nation)
Rushing Yds/Game: 139.33 yds/game (6th in MAC, 47th in Nation)
Passing Yds/Game: 178.2 yds/game (1st in MAC, 15th in Nation)
Total Yds/Game: 317.5 yds/game (2nd in MAC, 16th in Nation)
2010 Misc Stats:
Turnover Margin: -0.5 per game (8th in MAC, 88th in Nation)
Penalties: 50.3 yds/game (7th in MAC, 50th in Nation)
Returning Starters:
Offense: 8
Defense: 5
Kicker/Punter: 1
Top Returning Statistical Leaders:
Passing: QB Mike Gerardi, Sr (93 of 156 for 1290 yds, 10 TD, 8 INT)
Rushing: RB Matt Brown, Jr* (162 for 830, 5.1 ypc, 7 TD)
Receiving: WR Rod Streater, Sr (30 rec for 481 yds, 4 TD)
Tackles: DB Justin Gildea, Jr (58)
Sacks: DE Sean Daniels, Soph (4)
Interceptions: 5 tied with 1
*suspended for spring drills
After enduring 17 straight losing seasons, Al Golden put Temple football back on the map with back-to-back winning seasons. In 2009, Temple went 9-4 and 7-1 in the MAC and went to the Eagle Bank Bowl. Last year, they struggled more in conference but still posted a respectable 8-4 record (5-3 in the MAC) but they were shut out of a bowl birth. During the off-season Al Golden bolted for the job at Miami (Fl) and he was replaced by a controversial hire in Florida Gators OC Steve Addazio. This is a very intriguing year for Temple Owls football as they try to have their third straight winning season for the first time since 1975. We caught up with Mike Gibson of Temple Football Forever to find out his thoughts on Adazzio’s debut season in Philadelphia.
We got your quick take after Steve Addazio was picked to replace Al Golden. Now that the dust has settled what do you see Adazzio bringing to the table that will help Temple the most this season?
Addazio has already made an impact, bringing in Florida quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler to run the offense and Florida defensive coordinator Chuck Heater to run the defense. Loeffler developed Tom Brady at Michigan as the QB coach there and had a big hand in the development of Tim Tebow. The two top coordinators are already heads and shoulders above the ones AG had.
One area for improvement for Temple is their passing offense. Last year they placed 9th in the MAC at 183 yards per game. Who are some guys that you see stepping up to help improve this area of the team?
Loeffler has some guys to work with. The starter for much of the last two seasons, Chester Stewart, has improved. He’s bringing in a big-time JUCO in Clinton Granger from Los Angeles (who reminds a lot of people of Cam Newton). Chris Coyer is a Tim Tebow clone, who was highly recruited as a prep star. Mike Gerardi was first-team all-state in New Jersey. I think it’s between Coyer and Gerardi.
For those that don’t follow the MAC that closely…tell us a little about the best players on this team.
Adrian Robinson, a rush defensive end, was the MAC defensive player of the year two years ago. I predict he will be a first-round NFL draft choice. Bernard Pierce, the off-injured tailback, is healthy and was MAC freshman of the year two years ago. They started a Heisman campaign for him and he got hurt. This year, no Heisman campaign and plenty of fingers will be crossed. He’s got world-class speed (was Pennsylvania track 100-meter champion in high school), terrific moves in the open field, a sick quick burst to either side of the field and can run you over as well. He will be in the Heisman conversation if he plays all 12 games. If he doesn’t, he won’t. But you can say that for a lot of guys nationally as well.
Who are some newcomers that can come in and immediately help the Owls this year?
Clinton Granger for above reasons and a true freshman strong safety from Gainesville, Fla. named Kenny Harper.
Temple has some big games this year against the likes of Penn State and Maryland. What do you consider the most important game for the Owls this year?
Penn State. A win over them would immediately legitimize Temple in a pro town like Philadelphia.
What is your gut feeling on the 2011 season?
There’s no regression because AG is gone. AG, for all his greatness, was a subpar gameday coach Golden was 0-14 against winning MAC teams. If SA lets the coordinators coach on game day, he will be 10x better for those most important three hours of the week.
Next Preview: Houston
Previous 2011 Team Previews:
Mac- Buffalo , Central Michigan
Sun Belt- North Texas
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