Temple entered last season with a four-man battle for the starting quarterback spot, but coms into this season with quarterback Frank Nutile entrenched as the signal-caller. Nutile started the last five games last season, going 4-1 and throwing 12 touchdown passes. Running backs David Hood and Ryquell Armstead combined to rush for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Wide receiver Isaiah Wright had a team-high 46 receptions for 668 yards and four touchdowns and leads a skilled group of veteran receivers. Center Matt Hennessy and offensive guard Vincent Picozzi were regular starters on the offensive line as freshmen in 2017.

Safety Delvon Randall was Temple’s lone first team allconference player last season. Randall finished second on the team with 80 tackles to go with four interceptions in 2017. Linebackers Shaun Bradley and Chappelle Russell stepped into the starting lineup last year and responded with big seasons. Bradley led Temple with 85 tackles to go with 10.0 tackles for loss, while Russell had 67 stops and 4.0 TFL. The Owls’ interior line is stout once again with the return of defensive tackle Michael Dogbe, a veteran of 41 games, and Dan Archibong, who was the 2017 ECAC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Temple led The American in passing defense (206.8 ypg) and sacks (39) in 2017.

Temple overcame a 3-5 start to the season to win four of its last five games and play in a bowl for the third consecutive year. The Owls’ 28-3 victory in the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl was Temple’s first bowl win since 2011. Temple has won The American’s East Division title twice in the first three years of divisional play in the conference.