Temple's Martin-Oguike making a name for himself

After upsetting the No. 21-ranked team in the nation, Temple has made it a point to let go of the past and look forward.

Things are no different for Praise Martin-Oguike, a redshirt junior defensive end. On Monday, Martin-Oguike was named the American Athletic Conference's defensive player of the week for the second time this season. The award has been presented 10 times this season, and Temple leads the conference with three such honors. Cornerback Tavon Young was honored in the first week.

Martin-Oguike was singled out for his play in Saturday's 20-10 win over East Carolina. He played a major role in helping Temple (5-3, 3-2 AAC) earn its first victory against a top-25 opponent since 1998. Martin-Oguike finished the game with four tackles, 11/2 sacks, and 31/2 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and a blocked field-goal attempt.

He also was honored as the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week.

"It's nice to receive the recognition, but it's more important to look ahead at what's in front of us," Martin-Oguike said. "We have a short week and we've got a big game coming up that we have to win."

Temple will host Memphis (5-3, 3-1) on Friday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

The honors are special for the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Martin-Oguike because of what he's been through. Suspended from Temple because of a rape charge lodged in 2012 that later was dismissed, he missed the entire 2013 season.

He was reinstated earlier this year and is thrilled to be playing football.

"I only think about that situation now when I think I'm having a hard time and I need to motivate myself, but I don't think about it or talk about it that much," he said. "I'm happy playing football and going to school."

His teammates are happy to have him. Martin-Oguike leads the Owls with 41/2 sacks and five forced fumbles. He is eighth on the team with 27 tackles, and trails only fellow lineman Matt Ioannidis (8) with 71/2 tackles for loss.

Last season, the Owls had 19 sacks. Temple has 19 with four games remaining.

"The scary thing about Praise is he's just scratching the surface and finding out what he can become," Temple coach Matt Rhule said. "He missed a year, and that cost him. He's one of those guys that can put on 15 more pounds and be really, really scary for us.

"He's got a good work ethic and he's mature, so you know he's going to continue working toward his goals."