Temple Football: Promising Season Ahead

The Temple Owls football program hasn't been successful in a long time.

As the losing continued, the Owls dug themselves a deeper and deeper hole.

Third year head coach Al Golden is helping the Cherry and White slowly dig out of that hole.

Temple has made huge strides in just two years under Golden.

In his first year at the helm, the Owls won just one game. After starting '08 with four-straight losses after a season-opening win, Golden’s team won four of its last seven games. Of Temple’s seven defeats, five of them were by six points or less, including an overtime Hail Mary heartbreaker to Buffalo.

Last season is proof that the Owls are on the right track.

Now, the challenge is continuing to improve in '09.

Last year’s starting quarterback—Adam DiMichele—is gone, leaving Vaughn Charlton and Chester Stewart to battle for DiMichele’s spot behind center. 

Charlton and Stewart both have big arms, but Charlton is the safe pick—he’s less prone to make mistakes.

Temple’s strength is on the defensive side of the ball. The Owls big hitting, ball hungry secondary is one of the best in the MAC. Though the defense showed some inexperience at times last year, safety Jaiquawn Jarrett and company hope to benefit from last year’s experiences. 

In the end, the Owls must not only avoid mistakes, they must also learn from them.

The difference between winning and losing a game can be one play. A key stop, a touchdown instead of a field goal; all these things can determine whether you win or lose, whether you’re bowl game bound or you’re not.

That's something Al Golden and the Owls must remember.