Go Friday Night

Temple Wildcats Preview

By Andrew Silva
September 12, 2006

This week the Cougars of Abilene head to Temple to take on the Wildcats. So here is a quick preview/review of the Temple Wildcats. It’s not a Chicago Bears one, but it will have to do.

The Temple Wildcats are 0-2 to begin the 2006 season, losing to Dallas Wylie in week 0 (21-7) and Round Rock McNeil (21-14) last Friday. Temple is currently on a 17 game losing streak going back to 2004. Before you think that this is a cake-walk game, consider this: the Cougars are on a losing streak of their own having lost six games in a row. The Cougars themselves haven’t tasted victory since September 23, 2005 so if we are going to simply look at records, then the Coogs don’t make a strong case themselves for having this game in the bag. I have cautioned a couple of the Cougar players not to sleep on the Wildcats this week. With that being said, I do think the Cougars can win this game if they go in and play the way they are capable of playing. The Cougars didn’t have a game last week, so I am interested in seeing what kind of attitude the Cougars will come out with this Friday. It was great to see the Cougars fired up for their first game two weeks ago, I hope they bring that same fire with them on the road. If so perhaps the Cougars can be the team that snaps the losing streak and Temple will have to go on one more week with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths. Do worms have mouthes? I have no idea but I do know it would be embarrassing if the Wildcats got their first win in over two years against the Coogs!

Now to preview Temple. According to Dave Campbell magazine, Temple has five offensive and five defensive starters returning to a team that went 0-10 last season. Dave Campbell also notes the following regarding the 2006 season: Second-year Coach Monsen says traditional-power Temple will improve because of his players’ familiarity with his offensive and defensive systems. The key returnee is QB Jackson, the leading passer (537 yards, 3 TDs) and rusher (380 yards, 2 TDs) from last year’s team. OL Brown, a state powerlifting finalist, did not give up a sack last season.

Here are Temple’s “Players to Watch” according to 5A Texas football:
QB Terrell Jackson Sr 6'0 180 Temple
OL Dalvin Brown Sr 6'1 350 Temple
WR Kelvin Neely Sr 5'8 165 Temple
DE Nico Curtis Sr 6'5 220 Temple
FS Anderson Johnson Sr 5'9 180 Temple

Dalvin Brown is probably Temple’s best prospect according to various websites and articles. Brown is big, he is listed at 350 so he most likely weighs closer to 370 maybe more because we all know people lie about their weights in programs, especially linemen. Last fall Brown was a state powerlifting finalist. His numbers from his qualifying meet in powerlifting were 390 bench press, 730 squat, and 650 deadlift so he isn’t just fat, he is very strong too.

Read a preview of Temple’s district, 13-5A, here.

Here is an article about Temple’s loss to McNeil last week. The article mentions that the Wildcats are struggling in special teams having a punt blocked. McNeil outgained Temple 318-197 yards but went into half-time tied 7-7 and it took a last second interception by McNeil to seal the victory.

Here is an article about Temple’s loss to Wylie (Dallas, not Abilene) in week 0.

Also of note: Temple’s colors are red and blue also so don’t get confused. Also they have just installed new turf and are in the process of building a new “Wildcat Stadium” There may be some incomplete areas to the stadium such as I know they will not have their scoreboard complete. Also, the Cooper game will not only be the Wildcats’ home opener for this season but also Parent’s Night at Wildcat Stadium. You can imagine the Wildcats will be fired up and ready to play, so the Coogs better show up ready to play themselves. Who will step up for the Coogs and tell them, “It’s our turn!!!”

Please comment and leave your best encouraging alliteration for the Cooper Cougars against the Temple Wildcats. For example, Topple Temple or Whip the Wildcats.

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