Temple football heads off campus to closed practice at Franklin Field

There are two weeks to go until Temple's football opener Sept. 1 at Lincoln Financial Field against Villanova, and on Saturday the Owls will have their final dress rehearsal.

The Owls will stage their second team scrimmage, officially known as an off-site practice, when the team competes at Franklin Field. Last Saturday, the Owls held a team scrimmage at Lower Cape May High.

Saturday's event is not open to the public.

While many of the starting positions appear to be secured, the scrimmage will be good for those looking to be active on game days.

Temple doesn't list a depth chart, but just has players either above the line or below the line, and those above are the ones that coach Geoff Collins will consider for action.

At certain positions, Temple is expected to rotate significantly. The positions with the most depth are receiver and defensive line.

"I would like to have nine or 10 players above the line," defensive line coach Jim Panagos said after Thursday's practice.

As for receiver, redshirt senior Ventell Bryant and junior Isaiah Wright are returning veterans, but a number of players will be vying for time, including camp sensation Branden Mack, a redshirt sophomore from Cheltenham, redshirt freshman Jadan Blue, junior Randle Jones, and redshirt sophomore Freddie Johnson. Even true freshmen Kadas Reams and Sean Ryan have shown flashes and it's possible they could contribute this season.

"One thing about the college game is we can play seven to eight guys [at receiver]," said receivers coach Stan Hixson.

Linebacker Chapelle Russell said that he, wide receiver Brodrick Yancy and safety Jyquis Thomas aren't expected to play in the scrimmage as they recover from injuries. Russell and Yancy are recovering from ACL surgery and Thomas from a foot injury. All three have continued to show progress and none has been ruled out for the opener.

Hixon said he felt the Owls started slowly in last Saturday's team scrimmage before picking up the pace. He's looking for a quicker start.

"It's our second scrimmage and we should be better," he said.

The top two quarterbacks are set, with graduate student Frank Nutile the starter and redshirt sophomore Anthony Russo, who has enjoyed a strong camp, the backup.

What will be interesting to see from the scrimmage is the development of redshirt freshman Todd Centeio and true freshman Trad Beatty.

Centeio, a dual threat, could have some packages put in not only Saturday but during the regular season to take advantage of his running ability.

After Saturday, the Owls will begin game-planning for Villanova, which gave Temple all it could handle during last year's 16-13 loss to the Owls.