When the Temple Owls Football program hired a new coach, they were looking for a serious reboot. Stan Drayton takes over a team that was a combined 4-15 over the past two seasons. The first-time head coach is determined to bring the team back to its pre-2020 stature. That era saw the Owls go 43-24 from 2016-19 with five bowl appearances.
Fortunately, the cupboard is not completely bare as Drayton guides the Owls to hopefully a successful future. While the offensive and defensive lines need significant improvement, there is some talent at the skill positions. Success won’t come immediately but Drayton believes that he has the recipe for future and sustained success.
Mathis Leads the Temple Owls on Offense
Leading the Owl’s offense again in 2022 will be former Georgia quarterback D’Wan Mathis. Mathis had an injury-plagued 2021 season, but coach Drayton likes what he sees of the sophomore so far this fall. “He’s been very consistent,” Drayton said of Mathis. He’s grown up a lot. Dwan’s putting in the proper amount of work that a starting quarterback needs to put in.”
De’Wan’s main targets this season will be a couple of junior wide receivers, American Athletic Conference Third Team selection Jose Barbon and Amad Anderson Jr. They combined for 63 catches and four touchdowns last season. More will be expected of them.
Owls’ Rushing Game Must Improve
Coach Drayton is one of the preeminent running back coaches in the nation and Temple’s ground game will be relied on heavily to carry the load offensively. Edward Saydee leads a pack of running backs of whom much will be expected of this season. He struggled in his freshman season last year but if anyone can coach him up, Drayton can.
The offense line was leaky last year but are some reasons to be optimistic about this unit. This optimism starts with All-Conference Third Team offensive lineman Adam Klein. Also, big things are expected of fifth-year left tackle Isaac Moore. D’Wan will count on the massive Moore to protect his blindside.
Temple Owls had a Formidable Pass Defense Last Season
The Temple Owls had the nation’s fifth-ranked pass defense in 2021. Tackling machine Alex Odom returns to play safety. Sophomore Jordan Magee should be a force to reckon with from his linebacker position. And tackle Darian Varner should continue to be a disruptive presence in the trenches.
Even though the Owls had a nationally ranked defense last season, they had a hard time getting to the quarterback. Junior College transfer linebackers, Tra Thomas and Jacob Hollins will be counted on to bring some of the heat. For Temple to improve as a defense, this is one area that needs to see immediate and impactful improvement.
The Temple Owls open up their season tomorrow on the road against Duke. Duke is favored by seven and a half points, but this is a winnable game for Temple. Coach Drayton and the Temple faithful hope that the game is the beginning of a long and successful renaissance of the program.