Ch-Ch-Changes

Coach Al Golden revealed several major changes on this week’s Temple depth chart, which was released on Tuesday morning. True freshman Nam Shartzer will start at fullback and true freshman Derek Dennis will start at right guard when the Owls travel to UConn on Saturday. There are also three new starters on defense.

Golden promised to make changes after questioning the toughness of several players in a 42-7 loss to Buffalo this past weekend. The big changes this week are on the offensive line.

In addition to Dennis getting the start, offensive tackle Jabari Ferguson has moved back to the left side, where he played extensively in the season opener against Navy. Sophomore Devin Tyler has been benched. Former backup left tackle Darius Morris is now listed as the No. 2 left guard.

On Saturday, the Owls surrendered five sacks to the defensive end and linebacker that Buffalo lined up on quarterback Adam DiMichele’s blind side.

With Ferguson at left tackle, Andre Douglas has shifted back to right tackle, where he started against Navy. Douglas played right guard against Buffalo.

So the Owls will start two true freshmen on the line against the Huskies – Dennis and left guard Lloyd Codada. That’s a lot of extra responsibility for starting center Alex Derenthal.

Shartzer is the other new starter on offense. A walk-on from North Central Pennsylvania, Shartzer did not see action in the first two games. But he was mentioned by offensive coordinator George DeLeone as a potential contributor at the tail end of preseason camp.

Senior Josh Bundy is now the No. 2 fullback.

The Owls have further bolstered the fullback position by moving walk-on sophomore Seth Amoah over from linebacker. Amoah has seen some action on special teams during his two years with the Owls.

On defense, Golden has promoted junior Terrance Knighton to a starting tackle spot. Knighton missed the second half against Buffalo with a right foot/ankle injury. This week’s lineup also lists junior defensive tackle Philip Simpson and sophomore defensive end Junior Galette (both of them as backups) for the first time this season. Sophomore defensive tackle Terrance Banks has been dropped from the depth chart.

At linebacker, sophomores Omar McDonnaugh-Hales and Lamar McPherson have jumped into starting roles, ahead of Tommie Weatherspoon and Alex Joseph.

Junior safety Richard Sheppard, who was injured against Navy, is not back on the depth chart this week. True freshman Jaiquawn Jarrett is the top backup to free safety Georg Coleman.