What Temple coach Geoff Collins is saying
Collins hopes WR Ventell Bryant can play at Tulsa, but he wasn't as optimistic about LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley.
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Some highlights from Temple football coach Geoff Collins' weekly Tuesday press conference:
On the injury status of receiver Ventell Bryant, who left Saturday's 45-19 loss to UCF in the third quarter, and linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley, who was sidelined for the game. (Collins didn't discuss specifics about the injuries.)
"Ventell went down, and we are still hoping to get him back. There is a slim chance Isaiah will be back, too."
On the status of others such as offensive linemen Leon Johnson and Vincent Picozzi, quarterback Logan Marchi, and running back Ryquell Armstead.
"Leon, I think, is healthy. Picozzi is healthy. Logan, we're still working through it, but he is fighting through it. Rock (Armstead), the same thing."
On whether a lack of forced turnovers has been one of the more disappointing elements of the defense? (Temple's minus-9 turnover margin is the worst in the American Athletic Conference.)
"We have done a nice job stopping people, we have done a decent job on third-down run defense against Army and Navy, so there have been a lot of things that have been really positive. Just creating turnovers obviously is one of the things we need to improve on. … There are times we have guys wrapped up and we need to rip at the ball and claw at the ball (to create turnovers)."
On recruiting mid-year players who would enroll at Temple in January.
"Hopefully we will get a minimum of five and upwards of nine or 10."
On this week's opponent, Tulsa, holding explosive South Florida to 82 second-half yards in last week's 27-20 loss to the Bulls.
"They did a nice job loading the box. They (USF) have tremendous athletes, and Tulsa did a good job loading the box and covering on the perimeter."
On defensive tackle Jullian Taylor getting the No. 1 jersey this week for his toughness, dedication and performance after making 10 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, in last week's setback against UCF.
"I am really proud of him. It is a well-deserved honor, and he will wear the number with pride."