STORYLINES
Temple held the lead or was tied for 306 of the last 360 minutes of the season (85 percent), but went just 2-4 in those games. By comparison, Temple trailed for 78 percent of its first six games.
The Owls made bowl appearances in 2009 and 2011, but have missed the postseason in each of the last two years.
Temple lists just seven seniors on its 2014 roster.
OFFENSE
QB P.J. Walker ranked third in the American Athletic Conference in pass efficiency (150.8) as a true freshman, trailing only Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater and UCF’s Blake Bortles.
Walker threw for 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns against eight interceptions as a true freshman. He also rushed for 332 yards and three TDs.
The Owls set a school record with 2,996 passing yards in 2013.
RB Kenneth Harper and RB Zaire Williams comprised one of the top backfield tandems in the American Athletic Conference last year. The two combined to rush for 1,146 yards and 12 touchdowns.
C Kyle Friend, who played every snap in 2013, anchors an offensive line that must replace four starters from last year.
DEFENSE
LB Tyler Matakevich led the nation in solo tackles last season (8.8 per game) and was a first team all-conference selection. Matakevich has registered at least 100 tackles in each of his first two seasons.
Matakevich was named to the preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player.
LB Nate D. Smith tied for the team lead with three sacks and had 66 tackles as a sophomore in 2013.
DT Matt Ioannidis leads a defensive line that has three returning starters. Ioannidis registered three sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last season.
Temple had just three defensive interceptions last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Jim Cooper is the only returning kicker with significant experience. The Owls made just three field goals in 2013.
P Tyler Mayes is the favorite to take over as the regular punter, following the departure of Paul Layton.
DB Jahad Thomas is the top return specialist from last year (19.8 ypr).