March 2, 2008
Staley's Owls are A-10 regular season champs
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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Sometimes, even the coaches and media can be wrong.
Such was the case when it came to the preseason voting for women's basketball teams in the Atlantic 10 conference. Temple was predicted to finish in fourth place, but the Owls instead clinched the A-10 regular season title Saturday at the Liacouras Center with a 64-46 win over Massachusetts.
Temple, now 19-11 overall and 12-2 in the conference, finished in a first-place tie with George Washington, but the Owls own the tiebreaker, thanks to a 68-66 win over the Colonials back in January.
Temple will enjoy the top seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming A-10 tournament, which begins March 7 at Saint Joseph's Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. The Owls will play Saturday at noon against the winner of Friday's game between No. 8 seed Richmond and No.9 seed Duquesne.
Getting the top seed in the conference tournament has its privileges, as second-seeded GW and third-seeded Xavier, which also received first-round byes, are on the other side of the bracket. That means the Owls will not have to face them until the tournament's championship game.
If Temple gets that far, it will most likely have done enough to earn a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament, even if the Owls should fall in the title game. Winning the regular season championship certainly did not hurt them in the eyes of the NCAA selection committee.
"It feels great," Temple coach Dawn Staley said. "It feels great because no one in the A-10 or anybody else gave us a shot at where we are today. I'm proud of my basketball team for playing through a tough season."
The Owls also celebrated their four seniors prior to the game with tributes to guard Candice Borrows, center Lady Comfort, guard Ashley Morris and forward Nicole Pittman.
All four started the game.
[The pre-game tribute] was good," Comfort said. "It will be memorable to us once everything is all over."
The Owls thrived with physical play that frustrated UMass all game. Comfort grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with her 12 points. Junior forwards Shenita Landry and Shanea Cotton collected eight boards apiece, and Temple out-rebounded UMass, 42-29.
"I think our whole team played physical," Staley said, "probably more physical then I would have liked. The game that we had on Wednesday night just overflowed into this game. It's hard to turn it on and off.
"Our team was just physical. I thought UMass was physical. It was just that type of game."
A big key was Temple's ability to corral 16 offensive rebounds. Comfort grabbed seven of her own, and Landry had four.
The Owls were a bit stagnant at times in the first half but shot a respectable 41.9 percent from the field. Freshman guard Shaqwedia Wallace chipped in nine points toward the end of the half on 4-for-4 shooting to help Temple build a 31-26 halftime lead.
"She came ready to play," Comfort said of Wallace's performance. "It was her opportunity to play. She had to come out and play her role, and she did a good job."
The second half belonged to sophomore guard Lakeisha Eaddy. She had 12 of her game-high 16 points in the game's final 20 minutes, including two straight triples that brought Temple's lead to 10 points.
The Owls end the regular season on a five-game winning streak to ensure that they would finish three spots ahead of where they were predicted to be.
"What's today?" Morris asked. "It's March 1st. We are number one in the conference, so whatever happened in October didn't make any difference. We had a lot of fight in us, and we're number one now."
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Baker the playmaker
February 5, 2008
Baker the playmaker
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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In his final high school game, Bound Brook High School wide receiver Deven Baker caught six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a fitting performance for the central New Jersey prospect, considering he ended the season in the same fashion in which he kicked it off.
Baker, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound receiver who made a verbal commitment to Temple back in August, scored three times in the season opener. One came on an 85-yard kickoff return, another came on a 95-yard run, and one was good for 65 yards.
In a recent interview with OwlScoop.com, Baker initially found it difficult to pinpoint exactly what he did well during his senior season. There are, however, worse things than being known as a big-play guy.
Baker averaged 18.7 yards per catch.
"It is hard to say what I did well this season," Baker said. "I think I got a good release on corners this season. I was a deep threat for my team. I think I still need to work on my route running and my recognizing coverage. I need to work on everything. I always want to improve."
Baker helped Bound Brook to a 7-3 record his senior season, leading the team with 39 receptions on 730 yards. He also had eight receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
During the recruiting process, Baker talked to Rutgers and Connecticut. In the end, it came down to Temple making an early offer, along with the visible improvement in the two years that Owls coach Al Golden has been at the helm on North Broad Street.
"It's real good what they are doing," Baker said. "They look like they are on the way up."
Baker will join a veteran-laden wide receiver group that includes 2007 starters Bruce Francis and Dy'Onne Crudup. Beyond them, Michael Campbell, Delano Green, Marquise Liverpool and Travis Shelton will also return to fight for playing time at that position. Factor in fellow 2008 commitments Vaughn Carraway, Cedric Hammond and Anthony Rapley, and things could get pretty crowded at wideout.
Baker, however, said he won't let that get to him.
"I look at the depth at my position as a challenge to me," Baker said. "It makes me work even harder. I will do whatever I need to do to get on the field, whether I'm a receiver or a kick returner."
Baker the playmaker
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
In his final high school game, Bound Brook High School wide receiver Deven Baker caught six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
It was a fitting performance for the central New Jersey prospect, considering he ended the season in the same fashion in which he kicked it off.
Baker, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound receiver who made a verbal commitment to Temple back in August, scored three times in the season opener. One came on an 85-yard kickoff return, another came on a 95-yard run, and one was good for 65 yards.
In a recent interview with OwlScoop.com, Baker initially found it difficult to pinpoint exactly what he did well during his senior season. There are, however, worse things than being known as a big-play guy.
Baker averaged 18.7 yards per catch.
"It is hard to say what I did well this season," Baker said. "I think I got a good release on corners this season. I was a deep threat for my team. I think I still need to work on my route running and my recognizing coverage. I need to work on everything. I always want to improve."
Baker helped Bound Brook to a 7-3 record his senior season, leading the team with 39 receptions on 730 yards. He also had eight receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.
During the recruiting process, Baker talked to Rutgers and Connecticut. In the end, it came down to Temple making an early offer, along with the visible improvement in the two years that Owls coach Al Golden has been at the helm on North Broad Street.
"It's real good what they are doing," Baker said. "They look like they are on the way up."
Baker will join a veteran-laden wide receiver group that includes 2007 starters Bruce Francis and Dy'Onne Crudup. Beyond them, Michael Campbell, Delano Green, Marquise Liverpool and Travis Shelton will also return to fight for playing time at that position. Factor in fellow 2008 commitments Vaughn Carraway, Cedric Hammond and Anthony Rapley, and things could get pretty crowded at wideout.
Baker, however, said he won't let that get to him.
"I look at the depth at my position as a challenge to me," Baker said. "It makes me work even harder. I will do whatever I need to do to get on the field, whether I'm a receiver or a kick returner."
Monday, December 1, 2008
Recruiting spotlight: Tony Cornelius
February 1, 2008
Recruiting spotlight: Tony Cornelius
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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Temple's 4-8 2007 season was a three-win improvement over the previous year, and the turnaround is certainly cause for optimism on North Broad Street.
Still, Owls coach Al Golden moves forward knowing he needs more depth at the running back position, and that area has been a priority with the 2008 recruiting class.
After landing a commitment from one of the top backs in Pennsylvania two days ago, Temple got one of Florida's better prospects when Boca Raton High School's Tony Cornelius verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Golden this week.
Cornelius' announcement was the second in three days for the Owls from a running back after Ahkeem Smith from Bethlehem's Liberty High School said he intended to play at Temple next season. Cornelius and Smith join fellow verbals James Nixon and Reading High School's Malcolm Williams as players who could possibly vie for time in the Owls' backfield this fall.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Cornelius originally committed to Iowa before deciding to keep his options open. He and Smith were among the several recruits who visited Temple last weekend, and Cornelius liked what he saw.
"Temple is a good fit for me," Cornelius said in a phone interview with OwlScoop.com Friday. "Academically, it's a good school. Temple has a great business program. Football-wise, I could play earlier in my career, which is important for me."
Daryl Robinson and Jason Harper are the incumbents at tailback, but the possibility remains that Robinson could be moved to defensive back if Golden sees enough of what he likes from the incoming freshman class and redshirt freshman Joe Jones, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in preseason camp last August.
Cornelius helped Boca Raton to a 7-3 record in 2007, rushing for 737 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 carries. This was after an ankle injury limited him to 357 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
"I think I got my speed back this season," Cornelius said. "I did a good job at running the ball. I think I just have to get bigger and stronger before I get to Temple next season."
In addition to the Iowa offer, Cornelius said he also had one from MAC rival Akron. And while he said he'll miss the comfortable temperatures of the Sunshine State, it wasn't enough to deter him from coming to Philadelphia.
"It's going to be an adjustment at first," Cornelius said, "but I'll get used to it."
Recruiting spotlight: Tony Cornelius
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Temple's 4-8 2007 season was a three-win improvement over the previous year, and the turnaround is certainly cause for optimism on North Broad Street.
Still, Owls coach Al Golden moves forward knowing he needs more depth at the running back position, and that area has been a priority with the 2008 recruiting class.
After landing a commitment from one of the top backs in Pennsylvania two days ago, Temple got one of Florida's better prospects when Boca Raton High School's Tony Cornelius verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Golden this week.
Cornelius' announcement was the second in three days for the Owls from a running back after Ahkeem Smith from Bethlehem's Liberty High School said he intended to play at Temple next season. Cornelius and Smith join fellow verbals James Nixon and Reading High School's Malcolm Williams as players who could possibly vie for time in the Owls' backfield this fall.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Cornelius originally committed to Iowa before deciding to keep his options open. He and Smith were among the several recruits who visited Temple last weekend, and Cornelius liked what he saw.
"Temple is a good fit for me," Cornelius said in a phone interview with OwlScoop.com Friday. "Academically, it's a good school. Temple has a great business program. Football-wise, I could play earlier in my career, which is important for me."
Daryl Robinson and Jason Harper are the incumbents at tailback, but the possibility remains that Robinson could be moved to defensive back if Golden sees enough of what he likes from the incoming freshman class and redshirt freshman Joe Jones, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in preseason camp last August.
Cornelius helped Boca Raton to a 7-3 record in 2007, rushing for 737 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 carries. This was after an ankle injury limited him to 357 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
"I think I got my speed back this season," Cornelius said. "I did a good job at running the ball. I think I just have to get bigger and stronger before I get to Temple next season."
In addition to the Iowa offer, Cornelius said he also had one from MAC rival Akron. And while he said he'll miss the comfortable temperatures of the Sunshine State, it wasn't enough to deter him from coming to Philadelphia.
"It's going to be an adjustment at first," Cornelius said, "but I'll get used to it."
Recruiting spotlight: Vaughn Carraway
January 31, 2008
Recruiting spotlight: Vaughn Carraway
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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Michigan. West Virginia. Tennessee. Pittsburgh. Syracuse. Connecticut.
Temple?
What do all those programs have in common? They all, at one point in time, made scholarship offers to Vaughn Carraway, one of the top high school football prospects in the state of Pennsylvania.
Temple?
Yes, the Owls beat out those programs to land the talented wide receiver from Muhlenberg High School. As first reported on OwlScoop.com, the 6-foot-2, 168-pound Carraway verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Owls head coach Al Golden Wednesday.
Carraway is ranked by Rivals as the 19th-best prospect in Pennsylvania and No. 66 overall in the nation among receivers. His 49 receptions, 818 yards and 13 touchdowns led Muhlenberg to a 9-3 record. Carraway was a jack-of-all-trades for Muhlenberg, running the ball, catching it, fielding kickoffs and punts.
Oh, and he was also a second-team Class AAAA all-state selection as a safety. He'll play in the prestigious Big 33 game this June in Hershey.
Why Temple? In the end, Carraway just felt it was the right fit.
"I just felt it was the right place for me," Carraway told OwlScoop.com in an interview Wednesday night. "I really like the campus. I like the city. Other schools didn't have that aspect for me. I like being in the middle of everything, and I hope to contribute to an improving team."
"The perception of the program is that they really are improving," Carraway added. "I am excited just to be part of that improvement."
Carraway is the latest, and probably the most impressive, addition to Temple's 2008 recruiting class. The three-star prospect will make it official when he signs his national letter-of-intent next Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Carraway, who visited Temple's campus for the first time on Dec. 14, has already struck up a relationship with his future teammates.
"I hung out with (Temple wide receiver) Bruce (Francis) when I came," Carraway said. "He's a cool guy who is going to help me get adjusted. I also talked with (quarterback) Adam (DiMichele) and (quarterback) Vaughn (Charlton). I already feel comfortable with those guys."
While the highly-touted Carraway comes in with an impressive resume, he also understands how much he really will have to work to make an impression on what is now a crowded group of receivers at Temple.
"I have to work on my route running and getting bigger if I want to contribute next season," Caraway said. "I think I did a good job this season catching the ball. I also did a good job making a move after I got the ball last season. I still need to be stronger and improve on everything before I get to Temple."
Recruiting spotlight: Vaughn Carraway
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Michigan. West Virginia. Tennessee. Pittsburgh. Syracuse. Connecticut.
Temple?
What do all those programs have in common? They all, at one point in time, made scholarship offers to Vaughn Carraway, one of the top high school football prospects in the state of Pennsylvania.
Temple?
Yes, the Owls beat out those programs to land the talented wide receiver from Muhlenberg High School. As first reported on OwlScoop.com, the 6-foot-2, 168-pound Carraway verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Owls head coach Al Golden Wednesday.
Carraway is ranked by Rivals as the 19th-best prospect in Pennsylvania and No. 66 overall in the nation among receivers. His 49 receptions, 818 yards and 13 touchdowns led Muhlenberg to a 9-3 record. Carraway was a jack-of-all-trades for Muhlenberg, running the ball, catching it, fielding kickoffs and punts.
Oh, and he was also a second-team Class AAAA all-state selection as a safety. He'll play in the prestigious Big 33 game this June in Hershey.
Why Temple? In the end, Carraway just felt it was the right fit.
"I just felt it was the right place for me," Carraway told OwlScoop.com in an interview Wednesday night. "I really like the campus. I like the city. Other schools didn't have that aspect for me. I like being in the middle of everything, and I hope to contribute to an improving team."
"The perception of the program is that they really are improving," Carraway added. "I am excited just to be part of that improvement."
Carraway is the latest, and probably the most impressive, addition to Temple's 2008 recruiting class. The three-star prospect will make it official when he signs his national letter-of-intent next Wednesday on National Signing Day.
Carraway, who visited Temple's campus for the first time on Dec. 14, has already struck up a relationship with his future teammates.
"I hung out with (Temple wide receiver) Bruce (Francis) when I came," Carraway said. "He's a cool guy who is going to help me get adjusted. I also talked with (quarterback) Adam (DiMichele) and (quarterback) Vaughn (Charlton). I already feel comfortable with those guys."
While the highly-touted Carraway comes in with an impressive resume, he also understands how much he really will have to work to make an impression on what is now a crowded group of receivers at Temple.
"I have to work on my route running and getting bigger if I want to contribute next season," Caraway said. "I think I did a good job this season catching the ball. I also did a good job making a move after I got the ball last season. I still need to be stronger and improve on everything before I get to Temple."
Staley's Owls win fourth in a row
January 27, 2008
Staley's Owls win fourth in a row
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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It was only eight days ago that the Temple women's basketball team scored 68 points in an upset win over then-No. 13 George Washington at the Liacouras Center.
Since then, Dawn Staley's Owls have taken to winning ugly.
After a slow couple of minutes in the second half of Sunday's game at Rhode Island, the Owls used a big run to close out a 48-34 win over the Rams. Temple improved to 11-10 overall and 4-1 in the Atlantic 10. It was the team's fourth win in a row.
A 17-0 run snapped the Owls out of a cold spell to get the win, but the final numbers still were not pretty. Temple shot 34.6 percent from the floor, thanks in large part to an 8-for-29 performance in the second half. The Owls also shot an abysmal 8-of-21 the foul line.
Temple's one saving grace was senior center Lady Comfort, who attacked the glass to a tune of a career-high 14 rebounds to go with her seven points. The Owls out-rebounded the Rams, 44-26, and 24 of those boards came on the offensive end.
Ashley Morris led Temple with nine points, but she shot 3-for-12 and had five assists and five turnovers. Staley did get a solid effort out of Shenita Landry off the bench. The 6-foot-2 junior forward contributed eight points and six rebounds and two steals in 29 minutes of action.
The Owls will host Saint Joseph's Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off as they look to remain undefeated in the city. Temple, which has already posted Big 5 wins over Villanova and Penn, is currently in a four-way tie for first place in the A-10, while the Hawks are 10-9 overall and 2-2 in the A-10.
Staley's Owls win fourth in a row
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
It was only eight days ago that the Temple women's basketball team scored 68 points in an upset win over then-No. 13 George Washington at the Liacouras Center.
Since then, Dawn Staley's Owls have taken to winning ugly.
After a slow couple of minutes in the second half of Sunday's game at Rhode Island, the Owls used a big run to close out a 48-34 win over the Rams. Temple improved to 11-10 overall and 4-1 in the Atlantic 10. It was the team's fourth win in a row.
A 17-0 run snapped the Owls out of a cold spell to get the win, but the final numbers still were not pretty. Temple shot 34.6 percent from the floor, thanks in large part to an 8-for-29 performance in the second half. The Owls also shot an abysmal 8-of-21 the foul line.
Temple's one saving grace was senior center Lady Comfort, who attacked the glass to a tune of a career-high 14 rebounds to go with her seven points. The Owls out-rebounded the Rams, 44-26, and 24 of those boards came on the offensive end.
Ashley Morris led Temple with nine points, but she shot 3-for-12 and had five assists and five turnovers. Staley did get a solid effort out of Shenita Landry off the bench. The 6-foot-2 junior forward contributed eight points and six rebounds and two steals in 29 minutes of action.
The Owls will host Saint Joseph's Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off as they look to remain undefeated in the city. Temple, which has already posted Big 5 wins over Villanova and Penn, is currently in a four-way tie for first place in the A-10, while the Hawks are 10-9 overall and 2-2 in the A-10.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Boyle brothers lining up to play for Owls
January 24, 2008
Boyle brothers lining up to play for Owls
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Temple offensive coordinator George DeLeone appears to be building a cohesive unit along the line of scrimmage. Establishing some depth there is the next step for DeLeone, who also serves as the Owls' offensive line coach, and the fiery teacher and mentor is hoping the addition of a set of twin brothers from Maryland's Calvert Hall High School will provide some help in that area.
The Owls landed verbal commitments from left tackle Pat Boyle and left guard Sean Boyle when the pair accepted scholarship offers from Temple head coach Al Golden in October.
The Boyle twins, who check in at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, said they made their college decisions individually. And while they're certainly excited about playing together at the next level, that was not the only factor in their decision.
"It's nice to be going to school with him," Pat Boyle said, "but we made our decisions separately. We did not have to be going to the same school. William & Mary was pushing for us hard as well. Towson had some interest in the beginning of the summer. In the end, we both felt that Temple was the right place."
"Playing together is not extremely important to us," Sean Boyle said, echoing his brother's sentiments.
Temple is in a unique situation in that the Owls expect to return 10 of 11 starters on offense, including all five on the offensive line, so the Boyles know it will take a lot of work to make an impact as freshmen.
In fact, they were quite honest in breaking down their own individual games when speaking with OwlScoop.com.
"I need to work on my speed," Pat Boyle said. "I had a lot of trouble with faster defensive ends. At the next level, they are all going to be pretty fast."
"I like going against bigger lineman that I can get under and push off," Sean Boyle said. "I still need to work on my speed. We didn't pass the ball a lot, but when we did, I felt I did a good job pass blocking."
The Boyles were part of a Calvert Hall team that went 5-6 in 2007. Throughout the year, they kept close tabs on the obvious improvement of their future program in North Philadelphia.
"They made some great strides," Pat Boyle said. "I never really knew anything about Temple football, but I followed them this year and I was impressed with what they did. They were competitive every game I saw. We went to the Kent State game (a 24-14 Temple win), and it is real exciting to get a chance to play at [Lincoln Financial Field]. Every player wants to play in a stadium that size."
While the Boyles are excited to be joining an improving program, they kept a close eye on the coaching situation this off-season when Golden interviewed for the head coaching job at UCLA. Golden ultimately withdrew his name from consideration just after Christmas.
"I felt like it was a good thing," Pat Boyle said. "For him to be interviewing for a job like that means he must be doing something good at Temple. It really just gives more exposure to Temple."
"When I heard he was interviewing with UCLA, I thought about leaving," Sean Boyle admitted. "In the end, Temple was where I wanted to be. I'm glad he came back, and I am excited to play for him next season."
OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.
Boyle brothers lining up to play for Owls
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Temple offensive coordinator George DeLeone appears to be building a cohesive unit along the line of scrimmage. Establishing some depth there is the next step for DeLeone, who also serves as the Owls' offensive line coach, and the fiery teacher and mentor is hoping the addition of a set of twin brothers from Maryland's Calvert Hall High School will provide some help in that area.
The Owls landed verbal commitments from left tackle Pat Boyle and left guard Sean Boyle when the pair accepted scholarship offers from Temple head coach Al Golden in October.
The Boyle twins, who check in at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, said they made their college decisions individually. And while they're certainly excited about playing together at the next level, that was not the only factor in their decision.
"It's nice to be going to school with him," Pat Boyle said, "but we made our decisions separately. We did not have to be going to the same school. William & Mary was pushing for us hard as well. Towson had some interest in the beginning of the summer. In the end, we both felt that Temple was the right place."
"Playing together is not extremely important to us," Sean Boyle said, echoing his brother's sentiments.
Temple is in a unique situation in that the Owls expect to return 10 of 11 starters on offense, including all five on the offensive line, so the Boyles know it will take a lot of work to make an impact as freshmen.
In fact, they were quite honest in breaking down their own individual games when speaking with OwlScoop.com.
"I need to work on my speed," Pat Boyle said. "I had a lot of trouble with faster defensive ends. At the next level, they are all going to be pretty fast."
"I like going against bigger lineman that I can get under and push off," Sean Boyle said. "I still need to work on my speed. We didn't pass the ball a lot, but when we did, I felt I did a good job pass blocking."
The Boyles were part of a Calvert Hall team that went 5-6 in 2007. Throughout the year, they kept close tabs on the obvious improvement of their future program in North Philadelphia.
"They made some great strides," Pat Boyle said. "I never really knew anything about Temple football, but I followed them this year and I was impressed with what they did. They were competitive every game I saw. We went to the Kent State game (a 24-14 Temple win), and it is real exciting to get a chance to play at [Lincoln Financial Field]. Every player wants to play in a stadium that size."
While the Boyles are excited to be joining an improving program, they kept a close eye on the coaching situation this off-season when Golden interviewed for the head coaching job at UCLA. Golden ultimately withdrew his name from consideration just after Christmas.
"I felt like it was a good thing," Pat Boyle said. "For him to be interviewing for a job like that means he must be doing something good at Temple. It really just gives more exposure to Temple."
"When I heard he was interviewing with UCLA, I thought about leaving," Sean Boyle admitted. "In the end, Temple was where I wanted to be. I'm glad he came back, and I am excited to play for him next season."
OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.
Hammond eager to catch on with Owls
January 20, 2008
Hammond eager to catch on with Owls
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
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Every coach knows play-making receivers that can stretch the field are a rare and valuable commodity.
Temple head coach Al Golden hopes that 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver Cedric Hammond will grow into that type of player. Hammond, a senior from Washington, D.C.'s St. John's College High who gave the Owls a verbal commitment back in early July, scored four times in 2007 but amassed an impressive 27.1 yards-per-catch average. His 15 catches for 407 yards helped lead his team to and 8-2 overall record and a three-way tie for first place in his conference.
Hammond's team, like many high school programs, utilized a heavy run-oriented offense. It forced Hammond to take an active role in run-blocking, something many young receivers are reluctant to do.
"I really improved my blocking this season," Hammond told OwlScoop.com. "I think my blocking will help me stand out next season."
While his desire to be a solid run-blocker could help Hammond stand out, cracking Temple's receiving rotation in 2008 will be tough, as the Owls have more depth at wide receiver than any other position. Bruce Francis, the team's leading receiver, and Travis Shelton will be seniors, and Dy'Onne Crudup will return after a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him catch 39 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
And don't forget sophomores-to-be Michael Campbell, Marquise Liverpool and Delano Green, all of whom began to pick up some steam at the end of 2007. Realistically, those are the players Hammond will have to contend with if he hopes to land some playing time, but he won't let Temple's depth at that position deter him.
"I am not worried about playing time," Hammond said. "I am going to get out of it what I put into it. If I continue to work hard in the offseason, I see myself making an impact right away for this team."
Hammond, who was also recruited heavily by James Madison, was surprised when he heard that Golden was interviewing with UCLA before Christmas.
"I was shocked when I heard that," Hammond said. "I decided to wait it out and see what would happen next. In the end, I'm happy that he stayed."
Temple's 4-8 2007 season, a three-win upgrade from 2006, has Hammond encouraged.
"Their improvement was amazing," Hammond said. "I watched the Penn State game and thought they played well. They moved the ball, they just couldn't finish. I am excited to join a team that can be really competitive."
OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.
Hammond eager to catch on with Owls
Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer
Talk about it in the Message Boards
Every coach knows play-making receivers that can stretch the field are a rare and valuable commodity.
Temple head coach Al Golden hopes that 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver Cedric Hammond will grow into that type of player. Hammond, a senior from Washington, D.C.'s St. John's College High who gave the Owls a verbal commitment back in early July, scored four times in 2007 but amassed an impressive 27.1 yards-per-catch average. His 15 catches for 407 yards helped lead his team to and 8-2 overall record and a three-way tie for first place in his conference.
Hammond's team, like many high school programs, utilized a heavy run-oriented offense. It forced Hammond to take an active role in run-blocking, something many young receivers are reluctant to do.
"I really improved my blocking this season," Hammond told OwlScoop.com. "I think my blocking will help me stand out next season."
While his desire to be a solid run-blocker could help Hammond stand out, cracking Temple's receiving rotation in 2008 will be tough, as the Owls have more depth at wide receiver than any other position. Bruce Francis, the team's leading receiver, and Travis Shelton will be seniors, and Dy'Onne Crudup will return after a breakout sophomore campaign that saw him catch 39 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
And don't forget sophomores-to-be Michael Campbell, Marquise Liverpool and Delano Green, all of whom began to pick up some steam at the end of 2007. Realistically, those are the players Hammond will have to contend with if he hopes to land some playing time, but he won't let Temple's depth at that position deter him.
"I am not worried about playing time," Hammond said. "I am going to get out of it what I put into it. If I continue to work hard in the offseason, I see myself making an impact right away for this team."
Hammond, who was also recruited heavily by James Madison, was surprised when he heard that Golden was interviewing with UCLA before Christmas.
"I was shocked when I heard that," Hammond said. "I decided to wait it out and see what would happen next. In the end, I'm happy that he stayed."
Temple's 4-8 2007 season, a three-win upgrade from 2006, has Hammond encouraged.
"Their improvement was amazing," Hammond said. "I watched the Penn State game and thought they played well. They moved the ball, they just couldn't finish. I am excited to join a team that can be really competitive."
OwlScoop.com staff writer Kenny Walter can be reached at kenneth.walter@temple.edu.
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