What Temple coach Geoff Collins is saying about Ryquell Armstead, James McHale
The Owls coach wouldn't say for sure whether running back Ryquell Armstead will play Saturday at Navy.
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What Temple coach Geoff Collins was saying in his press conference leading into Saturday's 3:30 p.m. game at Navy. Temple (3-3, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) is coming off a 49-6 win over East Carolina, and Navy (2-3, 1-1) is looking to bounce back from a 35-7 loss at Air Force.
On how running back Ryquell Armstead is after apparently suffering an ankle injury Saturday against ECU and missing practice Tuesday.
"He is healthier and feeling good."
On if Armstead can't go or is limited, how does one make up for his production (626 yards rushing, 5.1 avg., six TDS).
"I thought Tyliek [Raynor] did some good things on Saturday and Jager [Gardner] had some exciting plays. Obviously the one fumble that Jovahn [Fair] recovered but he had the wheel out of the backfield was an explosive play, catching the ball out of the backfield. And he had some tough, physical runs down the goal line, so I am excited for him. Jeremy Jennings [who has missed the last three games because of injury], we're hoping will be back Saturday. He was getting a lot of touches early.
"And then [WR] Isaiah Wright and [backup QB] Toddy [Centeio] have been carrying the ball for us as well. So I am excited about them. But the big thing is the job the offensive line has done. How they have taken care of the down linemen, creating three yards of push and then letting Rock [Armstead] do the rest, has been a huge part of the success in the run game."
On whether he thinks offensive tackle James McHale, who missed the last three games because of injury, is showing progress.
"I think so. He was out there the last two days, and we are hoping he will be as close to 100 percent as possible for Saturday to get him back to playing because he is another guy who embodies everything you want in a college football player and he is another guy who lives and breathes for Temple football. He wants this team to have success, wants to protect the quarterback every chance he gets, wants to get movement to spring the run game. He is just a special young man."