Offense

Quarterback

After splitting time with Vaughn Charlton last season, redshirt Chester Stewart is the general for the Owl’s offense. Temple head coach Al Golden doesn’t primarily look for his quarterback to throw as the Owls rank 109th overall averaging 142 yards a game passing. Stewart has played very shaky so far with three touchdown passes along with three interceptions.

Grade: C

Running Back

This is where Temple will hurt you. The Owls’ backfield has a two-headed monster in Heisman Trophy Candidate Bernard Pierce along with his backup in Matt Brown. Pierce may be the household name, but Brown reminds NIU head coach Jerry Kill of a player that many Huskie fans are very familiar with. “[Brown] reminds me a lot of Garrett Wolfe,” Kill said. “He has that kind of talent.” Both backs have combined for 727 yards with five rushing touchdowns each.

Grade: A+

Wide Receivers

Senior Michael Campbell headlines Temple’s receiving core. Campbell leads the team in receiving yards (266) and receptions (15) while also nabbing all three of Stewart’s touchdown passes. The threesome of Rod Streater, Joe Jones and Evan Rodriguez each have eight receptions on the year.

Grade: C+

Offensive Line

There’s no doubt that Pierce and Brown have tons of talent, but that can be rooted with the five guys up front who have been blocking for them. The right side features two All-MAC preseason picks in the senior tag-team of guard Colin Madison and tackle Darius Morris. “They’re 6-5, 6-6 300-pound offensive linemen all the way across the board,” Kill said. “So, their size and physicalness on offense, we have to match it.”

Grade: A

Defense

Defensive Line

The junior tandem of Adrian Robinson and Muhammad Wilkerson are utterly terrifying at times. Both attained the interior spots on the All-MAC preseason team and will be a true test for NIU’s offensive line. “Again, I think it’s all on the offensive line,” said Huskies running back Ricky Crider. “If they do well, we’re going to have success running.” Despite playing inside, Wilkerson has been the Owls’ best pass rusher, leading the defense with three sacks.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

Temple’s linebackers have combined for three forced fumbles and will look to rip the ball out of the hands of the NIU’s ball carriers. “This is one of those games, like the game we played at Illinois, where if we don’t fumble the ball, we have a great opportunity to win the game,” Kill said . Elijah Joseph headlines the linebacker corps for Temple as the senior leads the team in tackles with 40.

Grade: C

Defensive Backfield

Free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett isn’t afraid to play up in the box and hits hard. The senior All-MAC preseason selection ranks second on the team in tackles with 36. Jarrett’s name has popped up on numerous NFL draft boards as a player to keep an eye on. Corners Marquise Liverpool and Kevin Kroboth are sizeable coverage players.

Grade: B-

Special Teams

Sophomore Brandon McManus has successfully booted seven field goal attempts including a downtown connection from 53 yards. Senior Jeff Wathne is averaging 40.7 yards on 23 punts. The return game for the Owls has been productive with James Nixon averaging 24 yards on kick returns.

Grade: B-