Dennis coming into his own at guard

November 22, 2007

Dennis coming into his own at guard

Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer

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Through the early parts of the season, Al Golden craved continuity along his offensive line.

But judging by Temple's first five games, it looked as if the second-year head coach would never get his wish when the Owls went winless during that stretch.

The line, however, did improve as the season advanced, especially during the Owls' three-game win streak, and a lot of the success can be attributed to the development of Derek Dennis, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound freshman guard out of New York's Trinity-Pawling High School.

Dennis has started Temple's last nine games and has become a fixture at right guard alongside junior right tackle Andre Douglas. He played arguably his best game of the season last Saturday in the Owls' 24-14 win over Kent State.

Against the Mid-American Conference's top rushing defense, Temple collected 184 yards on the ground. And on one particular drive, the Owls dominated the Golden Flashes at the line of scrimmage, and tailbacks Daryl Robinson and Jason Harper had Dennis and Douglas to thank for it.

Trailing 14-6 in the third quarter, Temple took over at its own 24-yard line and went to work. Harper put together carries of 18 and 22 yards, and Robinson uncorked a 27-yard scamper that sent the Owls down to the Kent State 9. On the next play, Harper scored to close the gap to 14-12.

Four plays. Seventy-six yards. One minute, 15 seconds off the game clock. All four of those runs went through the right side of the line, with Dennis and Douglas leading the way and controlling the point of attack.

"We just put it all together," Dennis said. "In the beginning of the year, we didn't play well. We started to play a little better in the UConn game. It was more of a team effort. As the year went on we started to get that team unity coach wanted."

With the exception of left tackles Devin Tyler and Jabari Ferguson, junior center Alex Derenthal has been playing with brand new teammates along the offensive lien this season in Dennis, Douglas and left guard Colin Madison, another freshman.

"They are doing a very good job this season," Derenthal said. "When they came in, I didn't know what to expect from them, but they are definitely proving that they can play at this level. They're going to be great players."

The beginning of the season was a difficult time for Temple's offensive line, and the unit still has plenty of work to do. The Owls have allowed 39 sacks this season, the most in the MAC.

But Golden has seen enough growth with the group to feel optimistic about their future.

"As I told the guys, this is like a Texas Hold 'Em game, and you guys showed your hand," Golden said. "That's good news and bad news. The good news is we know you can play at that level. The bad news is that now you have to be held to that level and practice at that level."

As the line adjusts to higher expectations, Dennis and his teammates still have one more game left at Western Michigan Saturday with a change to finish 5-7 overall and 5-3 in the conference. The entire until will be returning next season, which will give Dennis and his line mates another off-season program together.

"We are all friends," Dennis said. "We bonded this season as a group. Colin and I dorm together and hang out all the time. We all just get along great, which helps us on the football field."



OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.