Tag: Temple Owls

The Oklahoma Sooners extend an offer to four-star DB Jordan Pride

Brandon Hall continues his journey to land his first 2023 or 2024 commit and offers four-star safety Jordan Pride from Florida.

Brandon Hall is still looking for his first commit in the 2023 or 2024 classes as the safeties coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. He’s been active on the recruiting trail going after anyone he sees as a fit for the Sooners’ defense. Even if they are committed elsewhere.

Enter four-star defensive back Jordan Pride, a member of the 2024 recruiting class who is currently committed to Florida State. Late last week, the Sooners made an offer to the multi-sport athlete out of Florida.

Pride is a two-way player for his high school and earned all-state recognition as a wide receiver. However, his true calling is as a defensive back where he was credited with 28 tackles and 2 interceptions this past season. Pride becomes Hall’s latest target as he expands Oklahoma’s safety offers list to 15 in total. The Sooners seem to be casting a wide net in terms of safety prospects under Brent Venables and hopefully, sooner than later it will pay off.

Jordan Pride stands at 6-foot-2 and is just under 200 pounds but his athleticism and ability to cover like a corner make him an intriguing prospect for Hall as projects better as a safety at the college level because of his long speed.

Though Pride is committed to Florida State, it remains to be seen how significant or solid that commitment is as he’s been offered by the Sooners, Miami Hurricanes, and reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs in recent months too. His offer list may not amaze you but it’s clear to see his recruitment is about to switch into another gear with the caliber of programs giving him attention.

Jordan Pride’s Recruiting Profile

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Florida adds this former Temple linebacker as a preferred walk-on

Florida added former Temple linebacker Kenneth Anyaehie as a preferred walk-on Friday.

Former Temple linebacker [autotag]Kenneth Anyaehie[/autotag] announced on Twitter that he will transfer to Florida as a preferred walk-on on Saturday.

“Beyond blessed to receive an opportunity to continue my academic and athletic career at THE University Of Florida,” he wrote. “Committed.”

He joined the Owls in 2019 as a walk-on. In his first season, he didn’t see any action and was redshirted. In 2020, Anyaehie opted out of the season because he had concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

He played high school in Naples, Florida, for Lely High where he recorded 56 combined tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and 13 sacks in 10 games. Anyaehie is still somewhat new to the game of football. His Temple player bio says he was introduced to the game of football as a sophomore.

Head coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] said he wants to have a walk-on roster of 50 players. Anyaehie is another player that will help him reach that goal.

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Former Penn State defensive lineman announces transfer decision

Former Penn State defensive lineman announces his transfer destination

The dust may be settling on the Class of 202, but the transfer portal is still the place to be for daily college football player movements across the country. And now, one of the players who have entered the transfer portal this offseason from Penn State has determined where he will be heading next.

A day after the late signing period opened up, Joseph Appiah Darkwa announced where he will be continuing his college football career. Darkwa announced his commitment to the Temple Owls and new Temple head coach Stan Drayton.

Darkwa announced his decision on his Twitter account on Thursday afternoon.

Darkwa, who jumped in the transfer portal in mid-January, was a three-star recruit in Penn State’s Class of 2019. Darkwa did not appear in a game for the Nittany Lions in the 2021 season, nor did he get on the field for the Nittnay Lions during the 2010 or 2019 season. Darkwa will have three more seasons of eligibility with two remaining years on a typical redshirt career and the additional year of eligibility granted to all student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic, should he choose to utilize that extra year.

Penn State’s defensive line depth is certainly drawing some attention this offseason after some notable departures to the NFL and retirement by another player. Losing Darkwa, a player who has yet to step on the field, may not seem like a big hit but there was still some untapped potential for the athletic project of a player. Penn State did address the defensive line with some success in the Class of 2022, including the addition of five-star Dani Dennis-Sutton.

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Report: Stan Drayton to take head coaching job at Temple

It appears that Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton will take the Temple head coaching position.

Over the last week, reports began to surface that Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton was in consideration to become the head football coach at Temple.

A report from Football Scoop on Wednesday indicates that Drayton will in fact accept the job as the Owls next head coach.

Drayton joined the Texas Longhorns in 2017 when Tom Herman arrived on the Forty Acres. He served as the associate head coach, running game coordinator, and running backs coach since that time. It was speculated previously that he would look at the NFL in 2020 when teams such as the Dallas Cowboys came calling.

After five seasons with the Longhorns, he will finally get his opportunity to run his own program with Temple. Drayton has worked at both the college and NFL levels as an assistant coach since 1993.

His first gig was with Allegheny College as the running backs coach. He was instrumental in developing NFL-caliber running backs such as Ezekiel Elliott, Carlos Hyde, and brought Bijan Robinson to Austin.

It is unclear as to how the Longhorns and head coach Steve Sarkisian will address this opening once it becomes official, but promoting internally could be an option. Brandon Harris is very respected within the program.

It was recently announced by the LSU Tigers that Kevin Faulk would not be retained as their running backs coach and he could become an option as well. Faulk served in that role for his alma mater from 2020-2021. Prior to the move to an on-field assistant, Faulk served as the Director of player development from 2018-19.

Penn State football’s season-opening results since 2000

Let’s take a look at every Penn State football season opener since 2000.

Penn State opens the 2021 college football season against Wisconsin on Sept. 4. It will be here before you know it. This got us to thinking about how the Nittany Lions have fared in their season openers since the year 2000. Needless to say, there have been some mixed results since the turn of the century.

Penn State’s all-time record against every American Athletic Conference member

Penn State has a lopsided history in games played against current AAC members, but Navy has hung tight historically.

Penn State does not have a tremendous amount of history against most members of the American Athletic Conference. But Penn State has a lopsided history in their favor against one member, the Temple Owls, and a slightly favorable all-time record against another, the Navy Midshipmen.

Games against other current members of the AAC have been limited to small numbers, with a handful of bowl matchups in the record books. The most recent meeting with the AAC came at the end of the 2019 season when Penn State topped Memphis in the highest-scoring Cotton Bowl to date.

All data referenced is credited to College Football Reference. Rankings referenced are AP Top 25 where available.

If you want more, check out Penn State’s all-time records against current members of the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC.

Note: Penn State has never faced Tulsa.

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Delay of East Carolina-Temple game, blame the girlfriend

The East Carolina-Temple game was delayed because an Owl player’s girlfriend tested positive for COVID-19

There have been all sorts of reasons given for college football games to be postponed, canceled. However, Saturday’s East Carolina-Temple game adds another page — bizarrely — to the COVID-19 book on the 2020 season.

How about a game being delayed because a girlfriend of a player testing positive and said player having to be taken for a coronavirus test and until the result is determined, the game is on hold.

And the update … game on despite the Temple player testing positive.

The decision to play the game has to be listed as questionable.

College Football News Preview 2020: Temple Owls

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Temple Owls season with what you need to know.

College Football News Preview 2020: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Temple Owls season with what you need to know.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Temple Previews 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015

2019 Record: 8-6 overall, 6-2 in AAC
Head Coach: Rod Carey, 2nd year, 8-6
2019 CFN Final Opinion Ranking: 54
2019 CFN Final Season Formula Ranking: 54
2019 CFN Preview Ranking: 80

No one knows what’s going to happen to the 2020 college football season. We’ll take a general look at where each team stands – doing it without spring ball to go by – while crossing our fingers that we’ll all have some well-deserved fun this fall. Hoping you and yours are safe and healthy.

5. College Football News Preview 2020: Temple Owls Offense 3 Things To Know

– The offense  wasn’t anything special – there wasn’t much of a running game, and the passing attack was just okay – could use some tweaking and more of an identity. The offensive line should be able to do its part again after being one of the team’s biggest strengths.

CFN in 60 Video: Miami Preview
Temple at Miami, Sept. 5
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C Matt Hennessy left, and the Atlanta Falcons picked him up in the third round. On the way from Northern Illinois is CJ Perez to push for the opening, and former LSU transfer Leon Pinto has a start under his belt. If the middle can be settled, the other parts will be just fine with two solid tackles with 6-7, 305-pound junior Isaac Moore and 6-5, 295-pound junior Adam Klein back, and a few transfers coming in to help the cause.

– It’s a good thing to be the main running back under head coach Rod Carey. 5-9, 210-pound sophomore Re’Mahn Davis led the team with 936 yards and eight scores – and he caught two touchdown passes – but he’ll need help in the rotation. Tayvon Ruley and Kyle Dobbins got in a wee bit of work, but the battle for the No. 2 guy is open.

– The quarterback situation got interesting – in a good way. Todd Centeio – who finished third on the team in rushing – left for Colorado State, but in comes former Iowa State star recruit Re-al Mitchell to make a run. However, he’s likely going to be the main man next year – senior Anthony Russo is the returning No. 1 after throwing for 2,861 yards and 21 scores, but with 12 picks.

Most of the top wide receivers are back, but TE Kenny Yeboah left for Ole Miss. Purdue’s Darius Pittman is coming in to push for the job, and if he’s eligible, Nazir Burnett is in from Georgia Tech to potentially make a splash at one of the receiver spots.

Leading receiver Jadan Blue is back after coming up with 95 catches for 1,067 yards and four scores, and 6-5, 220-pound Braden Mack returns after leading the way with seven touchdown catches and serving as more of a deep threat – he caught 59 passes for 904 yards.

NEXT: College Football News Preview 2020: Temple Owls Defense 3 Things To Know

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2020 American Athletic Conference College Basketball Tournament odds and betting futures

Analyzing the 2020 American Athletic Conference Tournament odds and futures, with sports betting picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament kicks off Thursday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Tex. There are a few teams from the AAC which should be shoe-ins for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid, should they come up short for a championship bid. A few others are on the bubble, and need impressive showings, and help in other tourneys, to catch the eye of the selection committee. Below, we look at the futures odds to win the AAC tournament.

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednsday, March 11 at 11 a.m. ET.

2020 AAC odds: Houston Cougars (+200)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 13-5 AAC)

The Cougars will have a lot less pressure than some of the teams below them, as they’re a lock for a bid to the dance. They’re simply playing for seeding at this point and could use a couple of wins to bump them up. They could be on the 8-line right now, which would give them a coin-flip game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Get some action on this event or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Houston scratched out a win and non-cover against a solid Memphis side over the weekend in the regular-season finale. The Cougars have the defense to make at least an Elite Eight run if they’re on top of their game. They ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed (62.1 points per game), and they ranked seventh in defensive field-goal percentage (38.3). While Houston isn’t the best scoring team, posting just 72.3 PPG on offense, checking in a middling 135th, it creates plenty of second chances, ranking second in the country in offensive rebounding.

The FAVORITE IS WORTH A BET AT +200, as the Cougars are the class of the AAC.

2020 AAC odds: Cincinnati Bearcats (+350)

Regular-season record: (20-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Bearcats stumbled down the stretch, going just 5-3 straight up and 1-7 against the spread across their final eight games. File that away if you bet their games individually going forward. As far as winning the AAC Tournament, the Bearcats are a talented team, especially defensively. While not as tenacious as Houston, Cincy did rank 31st in the country in defensive FG% (39.8). G Jarron Cumberland (15.5 points, 4.9 assists) is a talented scorer, and 7-foot-1 C Chris Vogt had 1.6 blocked shots per outing with F Tre Scott cleaning the glass to the tune of 10.5 rebounds per game with 1.5 steals per outing. CINCINNATI IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT BET AT +350, but don’t get ridiculous.

2020 AAC odds: Wichita State Shockers (+400)

Regular-season record: (23-8, 11-7 AAC)

The Shockers certainly made plenty of waves, rising from mid-major power in the Missouri Valley Conference to an invitation to the AAC. After a brief adjustment period, the Shockers are doing what we’ve come to expect from them – win a lot of games. While they lost two road games to Cincinnati and Memphis down the stretch, a 22-point win in the final over a good Tulsa team snapped them back on track. WICHITA STATE IS A GOOD VALUE BET AT +400.

2020 AAC odds: Tulsa Golden Hurricane (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 13-5 AAC)

The Golden Hurricane were humbled by 22 points at Wichita in the finale. Tulsa beat the teams they were supposed to beat, and were hammered by the good teams. A 33-point loss in Houston Feb. 19 was also alarming. They’ll be a good NIT team, and a loss Friday in their first game, potentially against Memphis, wouldn’t be surprising. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Memphis Tigers (+600)

Regular-season record: (21-10, 10-8 AAC)

The Tigers had a chance to get off the bubble with a win in Houston in the finale. While they covered, they faltered, and covers do not impress the committee. Memphis likely needs at least two wins, perhaps three, to feel comfortable on selection Saturday. If the Tigers still had James Weisman in the middle, their chances of winning here would be better. They’re a good defensive team, but offensively they’re rather bland. A SMALL-UNIT PLAY TO WIN THE AAC AT +600 is OK, as their defense is good enough, but they’re a better bet in individual games against the spread and on Under plays.

2020 AAC odds: UConn Huskies (+1500)

Regular-season record: (19-12, 10-8 AAC)

UConn is on the bubble, and likely needs at least a run to the final to have a chance at an NCAA bid. The Huskies are matched up with Tulane in the 5-12 matchup, a team they scraped by 80-76 in the regular-season finale. They won both meetings with Tulane, but went 0-2 ATS. The good news is UConn enters this tournament on a five-game winning streak. Still, the Huskies are a mediocre team, and their odds are rather inflated based upon that. Not a good value, so AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: SMU Mustangs (+2500)

Regular-season record: (19-11, 9-9 AAC)

The Mustangs looked like a certain NCAA team, but they ended the regular season on a 1-5 SU/ATS slide, including shocking road losses to Tulane, UCF and South Florida. There’s a reason UConn is a 19-win team and just +600, and SMU has a better record but are long shots. What have you done for me lately? AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Temple Owls (+5000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 6-12 AAC)

The Owls could spring a mild upset over a skidding SMU in the first round, but that’s as far as they go. They enter on their own five-game slide. It seems like regular-season wins over USC, Texas A&M and Wichita State were in another century. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: UCF Knights (+5000)

Regular-season record: (16-14, 7-11 AAC)

The Knights won their final two regular-season games, and they won at Cincinnati Feb. 19. They split with first-round opponent South Florida, so they could win one game, but they’re not going far. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: South Florida Bulls (+8000)

Regular-season record: (14-17, 7-11 AAC)

The Bulls won’t be on parade. They did top SMU in the regular-season finale and won in Memphis Feb. 8, but their opening game vs. UCF is a toss-up. If they win that one, they go no further. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: East Carolina Pirates (+10000)

Regular-season record: (11-20, 5-13 AAC)

The Pirates lost their final three games of the regular season, and are the only 20-loss team in the AAC. They beat SMU Jan. 11 but also lost by 20 to the Mustangs. That’s a microcosm of their season, and how inconsistent, and awful, they can be. AVOID.

2020 AAC odds: Tulane Green Wave (+10000)

Regular-season record: (12-18, 4-14 AAC)

The Green Wave opened 7-1 SU/6-2 ATS, and looked like they were in line for a big season, including a win in Utah. They also beat Cincinnati and SMU at home, but this game isn’t in New Orleans, and they dropped five of their last six away from their home floor. The Green Wave will crash early in this tourney. AVOID.

Want some action on this tournament? Place a bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Meet Matt Hennessy, Temple’s leader in the trenches

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Temple center Matt Hennessy

Every NFL offense wants a smart, physical presence at the heart of their offensive line. A talented center who can recognize what opposing defenses are doing, effectively communicate to his teammates, and execute at a high level are invaluable.

That’s why Temple’s Matt Hennessy should be one of the first ones selected in the 2020 NFL draft.

Hennessy recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his career playing for the Owls, how facing elite competition in high school prepared him for the road ahead, and what kind of impact he’ll make at the next level.

JM: You’re an experienced starting center. You really were the leader of that Temple offensive line. How does that experience serve you well going forward?

MH: You need to be capable of being a leader if you’re going to play the center position at a high level. That just is what it is. It really falls on you to organize the offensive line position room. You have to take the lead on that. It’s extremely important. That experience will be a great asset for me as I transition to the NFL.

JM: What do you enjoy most about playing center?

MH: I love being in control. I’m making all of the calls at the line of scrimmage. It’s my job to put the team in the best position possible. I love having all of the pre-snap responsibilities and assignments.

JM: You had all of those responsibilities at Temple?

MH: I did. I loved every second of it. A center is like having another coach on the field. You’re the guy that has to adjust to the pressure. You have to put the team in the best position possible. It doesn’t matter if it’s a run or a pass. That responsibility falls on me. It’s the best position for me.

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

JM: You’ve been training out at the Sanford Power facility. How has the training process been going for you?

MH: It’s been excellent. I’ve always looked forward to this part of the process. I feel like I have an unlimited amount of resources at my fingertips out here. It’s a wonderful feeling and situation to be in. They’re doing some cutting edge training out here. The strength and speed components have been awesome. The nutrition aspect of it has been top notch. I’ve progressed a lot out here. It’s been a lot of fun.

JM: Your brother, Thomas, played college football at Duke, and he currently plays for the New York Jets. He’s bounced around the league a little bit. You’ve had a front-row seat to the ups and downs of this league. What has that taught you?

MH: It’s exactly what you said. In terms of entering the league, he was an un-drafted guy who signed with the Indianapolis Colts and they actually traded him before the first game of his rookie campaign. It really just taught me the business aspect of the NFL. Us players are essentially assets that can be signed, released or traded at any given moment. You need to add value to the organization and you’re expendable.

JM: Do you have a scheme that fits you best at the next level?

MH: No, I really don’t. I think that my skill set is pretty versatile. I can play in anything.

JM: Is there a scheme that maybe you’re more experienced with?

MH: I would say anything with a big zone scheme. That’s the scheme that allows the center to get out and reach the nose tackle. That’s absolutely huge in my opinion. It can create such large creases in the run game. That’s one scheme I really enjoy, but I’ll be excited to play in any scheme.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

JM: Who are some of the best pass rushers you’ve squared off with?

MH: It’s funny, I’ll actually take you back to my high school days. I played at a powerful school in North Jersey called Don Bosco Prep. We were playing nationally and I was actually playing mostly tackle at the time. Throughout high school, I played against guys like Nick Bosa and Rashan Gary. Getting into college, I remember playing against Ed Oliver and Jerry Tillery. Those are just some of the better players I’ve seen throughout my career.

JM: What’s your favorite way to demoralize your opponent as an offensive linemen?

MH: Wow, that’s a great question. Finishing blocks is huge. Having the block that springs open a big run is a great feeling. To be able to finish the block at the end of that is the ultimate feeling. There’s just something about that psychologically. Throwing a body blow like that definitely takes a toll on your opponent throughout the game. It plays such a big role in the fourth quarter. Being able to consistently do that means you’re the more physical team, and the physical team is the one that pulls away at the end.

JM: Is there a pass set that you prefer utilizing more often than others?

MH: Not really. I’ve had three different offensive line coaches at Temple. I’ve worked with a number of different sets. I enjoy whatever helps me get on a guy quicker. Setting vertically is a good example of that. I really enjoy it all though.

JM: Is there one NFL quarterback that you’d love to block for?

MH: It’s tough for me to single anybody out. I’d love to block for a quarterback that’s a great communicator. All of the legendary quarterbacks are good communicators. They all have a great lead on things. That’s what makes them great. I like a quarterback that’s well prepared and communicates well. When you do those things, it goes back to what I said earlier about what I enjoy about playing center. It’s all about the pre-snap responsibilities and being prepared to execute at a high level.

JM: What kind of impact is Matt Hennessy gonna make at the next level?

MH: Matt Hennessy is gonna be a long-term guy for whichever organization decides to draft me. I’m somebody that’s gonna help move the culture forward. I’m gonna be around for at least 10 years.

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