Temple, set to open camp, looking to build on 2009 success

It was just over a week ago that the Temple football team was picked to win the 2010 Mid-American Conference championship.

Saturday, the Owls will take that promise onto their practice field at Edberg-Olson Hall for the first day of preseason camp. They are coming off a 9-4 year that saw them snare a co-championship in the MAC East Division and a spot in the EagleBank Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington.

Though Temple's first bowl game in 30 years resulted in a 30-21 loss to UCLA, the Owls enjoyed their first winning season since 1990. They also set a single-season school record with nine straight wins.

"As of right now, we have to stay humble and not get too arrogant," said running back Bernard Pierce, who was named the MAC freshman of the year after leading the conference in rushing in '09. "That doesn't lead to anything good."

Last season's Temple squad included a group of seniors who were in the first recruiting class of Owls coach Al Golden, who is beginning his fifth season with the squad.

Pierce, who finished with 1,361 yards on the ground and a school-record 16 rushing touchdowns, is one of 16 starters and 56 letter-winners back.

Also returning on offense for Temple are all-MAC offensive linemen John Palumbo (center), Colin Madison (guard), and Darius Morris (tackle). Defensively, MAC defensive player of the year Adrian Robinson (defensive end) is joined by fellow all-league performers Muhammad Wilkerson (tackle), linebackers Elijah Joseph and Amara Kamara, and safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. James Nixon was recognized as all-MAC as a kick returner.

"First day of practice is going to be exciting," said Jarrett, who this week was named to the watch list for the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the nation's best defensive back. "Just to get back out there as a unit. And as a team, we're going to improve a lot as the season progresses."

Temple will enter camp with a designated starter at quarterback. Chester Stewart, a 6-foot-3, 214-pound redshirt junior from DeMatha High in suburban Washington, has been given the nod by Golden.

Last season, Stewart started the last four games of the regular season after Landenberg, Pa., native Vaughn Charlton opened under center in the first eight games. When Temple met UCLA, Golden went back to Charlton, who had a 13-for-23 passing day for 159 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown throw.

Stewart, who entered spring drills with an edge in the competition, finished last season with 26 completions in 65 attempts for 514 yards, with three interceptions and three touchdown passes in nine games. Charlton played in all 13 games, and went 107 for 213 for 1,390 yards, with 11 interceptions and 10 touchdown passes.

The 6-4, 248-pound Charlton, a redshirt senior, is now listed atop the depth chart at tight end. Charlton, who played at 235 pounds last fall, requested the position change.

"It seems like a good fit for Vaughn physically and mentally," Golden said. "Now, can Chester continue to learn and set up things for us at quarterback? And we have to get a couple of guys to make plays for us in the passing game. We have to become better in the punting game, and I'd like to see us develop some depth defensively, at defensive line and the front seven."

Temple will open its season on Sept. 3 in the second annual Mayor's Cup against defending Football Championship Subdivision champion Villanova at Lincoln Financial Field. When the teams opened against each other in the event last season, Villanova pulled off a 27-24 victory in what, at the time, appeared to be an upset.

The contest was decided on a field goal by the Wildcats' Nick Yako as time ran out. Many observers saw Temple playing lower-division Villanova as a no-win situation for the Owls, but it now appears a worthwhile rivalry is in the making.

Villanova is the preseason favorite to take the title in the rough Colonial Athletic Association.

"It's a great game for Villanova, for Temple, and for the city," Golden said. "We have to play that game."