Temple's RB depth to be tested with Jahad Thomas out

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From the prolonged excitement around campus to the legions of fans tailgaiting in the parking lots, it was supposed to be a joyous occasion on a gorgeous late-summer night in South Philadelphia.

But from the time the cherry-colored cleats hit the Lincoln Financial Field turf for warmups Friday evening, an ominous cloud lingered as Jahad Thomas, Temple’s star senior running back, came out of the tunnel with his left hand heavily wrapped.

It was the first of many misfortunes that beleaguered Temple during its nightmare of a 28-13 season-opening loss to 15.5-point underdog Army, a game in which Thomas didn’t play because of that left hand injury.

And it’s a misfortune that will stick around, as Temple head coach Matt Rhule said his starting tailback will “probably” miss next week’s game against Stony Brook and didn’t sound too convinced Thomas will be ready for the much-anticipated visit to Penn State on Sept. 17.

That means it’s now baptism by fire for the Owls’ talented but young group of running backs. There is no safety net in Thomas to fall back on for what sounds like the next few weeks, at least. To make matters worse, speedy sophomore back Jager Gardner has been dealing with an injury issue from a camp scrimmage and didn't play Friday, either. That leaves sophomore Ryquell Armstead and redshirt sophomore David Hood as the Owls’ primary ball carriers.

And with the way senior quarterback Phillip Walker struggled with three picks and just 12 of 26 passing Friday, the onus will be on Armstead and Hood to pick up a big chunk of the offensive slack to get the Owls out of their funk.

Armstead got the starting nod Friday and the good news for the Owls is he, unlike most of his teammates, played well with 77 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“[Thomas] was a game-time decision and got banged up during camp. We didn’t know if he could go but I found out [Thursday] I’d get the start,” said Armstead, a Millville, New Jersey, native who had 191 yards rushing and two TDs as a freshman.

“Having Jahad in front of me, he’s had me prepare throughout the whole camp and whole winter. I’ve really worked hard this offseason. So I’m prepared.

“I’m just here to help my team win and whatever that means is what I’m going to do. Obviously, we wish we had Jahad. He’s a big contributor to our team and a big player on our team. So it’s a downer any time he’s not going. I’m just here to contribute and do my part and be successful."

Armstead gave the Owls a 7-0 lead in the second quarter when he trotted into the endzone on a pitch play from six yards out. He also had rushes of 11 and 16 yards in the game and was the only real offensive presence the Owls had.

Hood went for 21 yards on five carries Friday but made a huge blunder in the kick return game when he muffed a kickoff, recovered it, hesitated and then decided to bring it out of the endzone, only to get tackled at his own 9-yard line. And this was when Temple was down by eight in the fourth quarter.

“He’s been so dependable,” Rhule said of Hood. “I don’t know if the moment got to be just too much for him or what it was. I don’t think anyone played well enough for me today. I’ve got to go back and look at it."

Just how big of a loss is Thomas?

Try 1,262 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground last season, another score through the air on for size.

Those are huge shoes for Armstead, Hood and eventually Gardner to fill. Those shoes grow even bigger as Walker tries to shake his lackluster play and get on the same page with his new group of receivers.

With FCS Stony Brook at Lincoln Financial Field next week, it’ll be a prime opportunity for both Walker to get into a groove and to get the young backs some featured seasoning.

And Walker better find his form and the young backs better get that featured seasoning under their belts because the last thing Rhule needs is his offense to head into Happy Valley on shaky ground.

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