Temple Notes: Rhule pleased with progress at scrimmage

Two weeks before Temple's season opener against Penn State, coach Matt Rhule said that his team's execution was much better in its scrimmage Saturday and that he is pleased with the Owls' physical condition.

Rhule said true freshman defensive lineman Josiah Bronson was lost earlier in camp with a season-ending broken ankle.

"Other than that, I expect everybody to be back [for the opener]," Rhule said after the scrimmage.

One of Rhule's main tasks will be deciding the depth chart for the Sept. 5 opener against Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field, a job he said will likely be done by Thursday.

It's been a little more than a week since redshirt sophomore Zaire Williams moved from running back to outside linebacker. Williams, who was a linebacker/defensive end at South Jersey's Timber Creek, said he was learning a lot each day.

"Hopefully I will learn the plays and get on the field," Williams said. "If not, I will play special teams and will work hard to [eventually] get on the field."

He is expected to be part of what is shaping up as an improved special- teams unit.

One of the main topics in camp has been the development and leadership of junior P.J. Walker, who will be entering his third season as the starting quarterback.

"It is a role I take seriously," Walker said about being a leader. "Guys look at me and want to see if I am ready."

While nothing is set in stone, it appears that redshirt freshman Frank Nutile, who suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury last year in training camp, is the front-runner for the backup quarterback spot.

"I told myself that when I got my shot for the reps, I would make the most of them and take it from there," Nutile said.

Rhule said freshman running back T.J. Simmons "was down" Saturday and didn't see action. Neither did center Kyle Friend, whom Rhule said was "a little nicked up." . . . Rhule added that standout receiver Robby Anderson, who will likely be the punt returner, was also "dinged." . . . Redshirt freshman wide receiver Ventell Bryant, who enjoyed a strong spring, was out with an unspecified injury. . . . Senior Eric Lofton, who started 12 games at right tackle last year and will likely play guard this season, missed the scrimmage with an unspecified injury. . . . Defensive end Praise Martin-Oguike, who had 71/2 sacks last year, remained sidelined with what is believed to be a lower leg injury. . . . Defensive lineman Hershey Walton, who has been injured for much of camp, saw a lot of snaps, Rhule said.