Monday, September 17, 2012

Game week: Finally

Hopefully, the Owls will have the last laugh on Saturday at Penn State.


In about six days, we're going to find out the answer to this question:

Are the 2012 Temple Owls more like the team that opened the season with a 41-10 blowout of Villanova or the team that fumbled and stumbled during a disappointing 36-27 loss to Maryland?

I must admit being surprised at the lack of execution against a Maryland team that was ready to be had.
Temple travels to Penn State on Saturday afternoon (3:30, ABC Regional) and brings with it a couple of "secret" weapons in Kevin Newsome and Montel Harris.
Secret to Temple fans because they only saw Harris play a couple of downs against Villanova and Newsome hasn't played a down yet on offense or defense.
Both, though, are great athletes and potential playmakers who can make a difference against Penn State.
Temple coach Steve Addazio approached Newsome after the loss to Maryland about playing either wide receiver or safety and Newsome was receptive to the idea.
I found the "either wide receiver or safety" comment interesting.
I've always felt that Newsome can help the Owls out most as a safety on defense.
There's no real history of him catching the ball, either at Penn State or in high school, but there is a solid history of him being a playmaker on defense in high school.
Newsome has been taking snaps with the offense, though.
Harris is back to 100 percent since his hamstring pull against Villanova.
More importantly, though, the Owls are going to have to eliminate the mistakes they made against Maryland in order to have the chance to beat Penn State.
Any help that Harris or Newsome can supply would be a bonus.