Temple to have a phased approach on fans attending football games

With Philadelphia announcing Tuesday that it was loosening restrictions on crowd limits, Temple will begin a phased approach to sell tickets to football games. This season, the Owls are scheduled to have four home games at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Owls will play their home opener Saturday at noon against South Florida. For that game, complimentary tickets will be provided only for families of Temple football players and coaches.

According to the university, this will provide Temple and its medical team a chance to monitor the event for health and safety issues before selling tickets to the general public.

If all goes well, Temple will offer a prorated, three-game season-ticket plan for games on Nov. 5 against Southern Methodist, Nov. 21 against East Carolina, and Nov. 28 against Cincinnati.

“I am super excited about that. Any time we can get fans in the Linc, it is huge for us — we thrive on the energy that they bring,” said quarterback Anthony Russo, an Archbishop Wood graduate who usually has a good local following at the games.

Russo says he can’t wait until all fans are able to come, but he’s happy that family will get to witness this week’s game.

“I am from right around the corner, and being able to have my family come up if this indeed is my last year, that is huge for me and I know it’s going to go well,” said Russo, a redshirt senior. He would be able to play another year if he chooses because the NCAA ruled that all players this fall won’t have the season count on their eligibility “We are going to have the rest of our phase in a couple of weeks and we can’t wait for that because of the energy they bring into the Linc ... is something we thrive off of and gets us going for games.”

Tight end David Martin-Robinson says even with limited fans in the stands, it will make a difference on Saturday. “I am excited to have [family] there just for the energy and the atmosphere,” Martin-Robinson said.

Temple fans who renewed their season tickets for the 2020 season will be given priority on the purchase of the limited number of seats available for the team’s three November games.

While up to 7,500 people will be allowed inside the Linc, that includes participants, staff, and everyone inside. The new limits will take effect Friday.

» READ MORE: Philly increases crowd size limits, allowing fans at Lincoln Financial Field

Temple, which was supposed to open its season on Sept. 5, had it delayed until last Saturday, when the Owls lost, 31-29, at Navy. Fans in general were not allowed at that game, but the Brigade of 4,400 Navy Midshipmen attended.

Temple coach Rod Carey said the Midshipmen in attendance gave Navy a home-field advantage.