2023 Media Day & Fall Practice Blog

With Temple Football's 2023 season opener just around the corner, the Owls hosted their annual media day on Tuesday, August 1, followed by the first day of fall practice on Aug. 2. Temple is less than one month away from its first game of the 2023 season, a home matchup against Akron on Sept. 2.
OwlSports.com will post a daily blog along with video of the players and/or coaches made available to the media on such days. Please come back throughout August to keep up with your Temple Owls.
Wednesday, August 2
The Owls opened up fall camp today, the first fall action in helmets.
Graduate cornerback Elijah Clark recorded a pass break up in passing drills, batting down a deep ball on the right side of the field. Wide receiver John Adams ended the drill with a nifty sideline catch from 20 yards out. In seven-on-seven drills, quarterback E.J. Warner connected with wide receiver D'Wan Mathis for a 20-yard catch on the right side. Linebacker Yvandy Rigby capitalized on a tipped pass, hauling in an interception for the defensive unit.
The play of the day came on a 25-yard dime from Warner to freshman wide receiver Zyheem Coleman-Frazier along the right side of the field.
After seeing that a few mistakes occurred at the tail end of practice, Coach Drayton emphasized the importance of treating the final segments of practice with the full intensity of the fourth quarter of an actual game.
Thursday, August 3
Junior cornerback Dominick Hill, looking poised to make an impact in his second full season with the Owls, broke into the backfield to stop two screens during today's first 11-on-11 drill. After an even back-and-forth between both units, the defense recorded two pass breakups to conclude the drill. Sophomore safety Shamar Williams recorded a play worthy of SportsCenter Top 10, leaping up for an attempted one-handed interception that ultimately fell to the ground at the conclusion of the play.
Freshman tight end Peter Clarke settled into a rhythm during seven-on-seven drills, hauling in consecutive passes from quarterback E.J. Warner for 10 and 15 yards. Later in the drill, quarterback Quincy Patterson completed another 15-yard pass to Clarke on the left side of the field.
The play of the day came from outside linebacker Tra Thomas, who broke into the backfield during 11-on-11 drills to force a fumble.
Following practice, Coach Drayton continued to emphasize finishing practices with maximum effort in order to emulate making crucial plays late in games this season.
Friday, August 4
The Owls took the field in pads today, embracing a light rain that served as a changeup from the summer heat.
Both sides of the ball maintained a high energy during 11-on-11 drills, with both the offense and defense capitalizing on a number of big plays.
Temple's running backs had a productive day across the board. Edward Saydee broke loose for a 20-yard run to the left side during 11-on-11 drills.
On defense, both Darrell Sweeting and Elijah Clark hauled in interceptions on the day. Safety Alex Odom broke into the backfield on an end-around for a tackle for loss.
E.J. Warner found a good rhythm during 11-on-11 drills, connecting with numerous wide receivers on the roster. Wide receivers Zae Baines, Xavier Irvin, and Dante Wright all hauled in deep balls from Warner, while Richard Dandridge was on the receiving end of a deep throw from Quincy Patterson.
The defensive play of the day came during 11-on-11 drills, as freshman Kaleb Barnett leaped for an empathic pass break up on a wide receiver screen. Peter Clarke made the offensive play of the day, snagging a 50/50 ball for a 15-yard completion during seven-on-seven drills.
Saturday, August 5
The players were given an off day as head coach Stan Drayton and Temple Vice President and Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson led a contingent of more than 60 donors and former teammates of Joe Klecko to Canton, Ohio, for the enshrinement of the former Owl into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.