Former North Dakota St starting quarterback Quincy Patterson announcing in mid-May that he’s transferring to Temple with two years of eligibility remaining left fans wondering what it means for incumbent D’Wan Mathis.
D’Wan Mathis Stays Put After All
Mathis already specifically agreed to come back five days before the announcement of former head coach Rod Carey’s dismissal. Previous reports indicated Mathis had entered the portal while Carey remained as head coach.
The former Georgia transfer may have been in more need of a change in leadership than another change in scenery.
Special Talent
There is still reason to believe Mathis has promise as Temple’s quarterback of the future.
He turned 22 in July. With three years of eligibility remaining, Mathis has ample time to grow into and mature his physical gifts. He can enter the NFL Draft three years from now at still just 24 once he’s refined his traits under proper tutelage .
Mathis was the 11th-ranked pro-style quarterback (247Sports) from the 2019 recruiting class.
Proven Commodity Will Help D’Wan Mathis
Patterson is fresh off an undefeated 2021 campaign in the FCS as the Bison’s initial starter. He led North Dakota St to a 7-0 start before suffering an injury mid-game and losing his role, but gained 98 rushing yards in the Bison’s 38-10 FCS National Championship victory over Montana St.
Patterson began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech (’18-’20).
Meanwhile, in Philly …
D’Wan Mathis also started seven games under center last season, but the Owls failed to cover in their final seven contests, all blowout conference losses.
Not much went right in the season opener, including Mathis getting hurt. After sitting out a win at Akron and a loss at home to Boston College with a foot injury, Mathis was able to tune up vs FCS Wagner (22/32, 292, 2-0) before putting on the signature performance of his career.
D’Wan Mathis Erases 17-point Lead by Halftime
In front of the Philly faithful, Mathis showed a glimpse of what made him so highly touted in a 34-31 comeback win over Memphis as 11-point underdogs.
After falling behind 17-0 early in the second quarter, Mathis led a 17-play drive that ate up more than seven and a half minutes of game clock, culminating in a touchdown pass to former Owl Jadan Blue that seemed to the swing momentum of the game for the rest of the afternoon.
Mathis would hurl two more touchdown passes (35/49, 322, 3-0) and led to Temple to an impressive win to begin AAC play. Mathis’ 35 completions are noteworthy, as he did not attempt 30 or more passes in a game the rest of the season.
This 34-31 upset of Memphis was Temple’s third and final win in 2021 and the last game in which they were competitive, frankly.
Cultural Rift
Success was short lived for the Owls, as they were rag-dolled 52-3 on national television by Cincinnati (+29′) on a Friday night. The gift of an immediate bye week would not help Temple recover.
Excluding Navy, Temple threw for a league-worst 178 ypg in 2021. Not all of the offensive struggles can be blamed on Mathis, though.
There was a clear cultural rift between Carey and members of his staff with players, including the ridicule and possible mistreatment of former Florida transfer running back Iverson Clement.
Similarly to Clement, Mathis was also a first-year SEC transfer last season (Georgia ’19-20). Clement has since converted to cornerback.
While it’s easy to have high expectations for players who are brought in from such big programs, it takes the right situations for transfers to excel. Under Carey it became evident they would not.
Drayton’s Additions
Temple’s first year head coach Stan Drayton was asked at AAC Media Day about his own key transfer additions to the offense. The players specifically mentioned were Patterson and wide receiver and Georgia Tech transfer Adonicas Sanders.
“They’re phenomenal additions … they’ve been in the war before, ” said Drayton.
“They are guys who, in those positions where we felt that we had to grow in a lot of different areas, one being maturity, these guys are natural leaders who don’t flinch in the midst of adversity, and they handle their business both on and off the football field. They’re great examples for the guys that are young in that room that are trying to figure things out”.
Outlook for Mathis & Co.
Mathis finally has a coach who seems to be putting the exact right pieces around the young quarterback in order for him to be successful.
At worst, the arrival of Patterson seemingly gives Drayton a great insurance policy in the event Mathis battles injuries again this season.
However, “competition makes everyone better”, claimed Drayton, which should help the progression of his young quarterback Mathis.
If Drayton can succeed at making life easier and helping to develop Mathis’ prowess, the future is bright for Drayton at Temple.
For Mathis, he’s been given a perfect opportunity, a second chance at his second chance.
