Rapidly improving Temple will be a formidable foe for Navy
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
October 28, 2009
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| Temple head coach Al Golden has helped turn the Owls' program around. (AP) |
No team has had a better view of the rapid ascent of the Temple football program than Navy. In each of the last three seasons under former Virginia defensive coordinator Al Golden, the Owls have been a tougher out for the Midshipmen.
Last year, Navy needed a spectacular comeback from 20 points down to subdue Temple in overtime, 33-27. With the catalyst for that victory, Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs, out with a knee injury, the Midshipmen (6-2) are preparing for a difficult task Saturday in Annapolis.
"They're a good football team," said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. "We in for a big challenge. We have out work cut out for us."
Temple (5-2) enters on a five-game winning streak and in first place in the MAC East. The Owls are on course for their first winning season in 19 years and first bowl bid in 30.
It's a long way from 2005, when Golden took over a winless team with a reputation for bad behavior. It was so bad in 2004 that Temple was booted from the Big East for being non-competitive and an embarrassment to the league.
But Golden discarded the bad apples and started from scratch.
"You find a lot of young men who have lost hope, and you've got to start educating," Golden told the New York Times last week. "You have to start to implement your culture and your core values. As you evolve, you have a lot of people who aren't willing to make those sacrifices. So many of them had to move on."
In his first year, Golden carried only 54 scholarship players, when he was allowed 85, and the Owls went 1-11. But eventually, Golden's changes brought improvement on the field as Temple went 4-8 in 2007 and 5-7 last year, when the Owls lost three games on the final play.
"Their program kind of reminds me of Rutgers," said Niumatalolo. "Coach Golden has done a nice job, taking his time and building up their program. Athletically, they do a great job in the weight room. They can run. They're as good looking a team as we'll see all year."
With a defense that ranks No. 15 in the NCAA against the run, Temple could give the Navy offense, which ranks No. 3 in rushing, problems. Temple also boasts a standout back in Bernard Pierce, who rushed for 226 yards last week in a 40-24 win at Toledo. Pierce runs behind an experienced line that includes five starters that weigh at least 300 pounds.
"[Golden] has a good formula for winning. They run the ball. They're tough on defense, take care of the football," said Niumatalolo. "They don't beat themselves."
