COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW: #73 TEMPLE

OFFENSE

Steve Addazio finally found someone to run the spread-option late last season in lefty dual-threat Chris Coyer, who was the Offensive MVP in Temple’s impressive New Mexico Bowl win over Wyoming. Coyer, who started the final four games, completed 60 percent of his passes and had a TD-to-INT ratio of 6-to-0. It was small sample size, but those are numbers the Owls would love to see repeated.

There’s a new offensive coordinator in former Boston College assistant Ryan Day, who takes over for Scot Loeffler (now at Auburn). Yet nothing much should change scheme-wise, other than Coyer probably being asked to throw a little more. Penn State transfer Kevin Newsome, who has similar skills, could provide some competition.

Running back Matt Brown, who’s much smaller than NFL-bound Bernard Pierce, has certainly been productive as the No. 2 guy. As a sophomore, Brown rushed for 916 yards and topped the 100-yard mark five times. Finding a capable caddy or two for him becomes the key. There’s no shortage of candidates, led by sophomore Kenny Harper.

Deon Miller is the only returning player who caught more than three passes last year. Some playmakers will need to emerge at the wide receiver position.

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