Warren Moon's days at the helm of the old Houston Oilers' run-and-shoot offense may be over, but he may have a new collegiate counterpart in Temple's Walter Washington.
The junior from Daytona Beach, Fla., emerged as the Owls' starting quarterback and most dangerous offensive weapon in the second half of last season, finishing the year as both the team's highest-rated passer (111.4) and its leading rusher (579). In Temple's final three games -- all against nationally-ranked opponents -- Washington ran for 151 yards against Virginia Tech, threw for 278 yards against Pittsburgh and rushed for 117 yards and four touchdowns against West Virginia.
He quickly became one of the Big East's most productive players -- something that certainly hasn't escaped the notice of the Virginia coaching staff.
"They've got what all teams want to have: a really good quarterback," coach Al Groh said of Temple. "We've got to pay special attention to him. He's pretty close to being their principal runner, as well as their only thrower."
Quarterback is an especially important and potent position in the Temple offense that typically features four wideouts and only one running back. This spread offense presses the hand of opposing defensive coordinators who are less able to hide their blitz and coverage schemes when faced with such an open formation.
"It's very challenging for the defense," Washington said. "We're trying to force reads from the defense and separate our receivers."
By spreading the field with four wideouts, Temple can often flood the gaps in the defense's zone or even isolate its receivers in man coverage.
"It gives athletes a chance to make a play, and we have a lot of good athletes at wide receiver," Washington said.
Though Zamir Cobb -- Temple's best talent at receiver a year ago -- graduated, the Owls have the depth to replace him, led by senior Phil Goodman, who caught 47 balls for 678 yards and five scores in 2003.
The Owls have struggled to a 5-19 record the past two seasons, but it has been through no fault of the passing game. Those two years coincide with the time offensive coordinator Dave Brock has been in control of the Temple attack, and the Owls have logged two of their top six seasons for total passing yards, including a second-best 2,697 yards a year ago.
Senior Mike McGann was Temple's primary quarterback for the team's first eight games until coach Bobby Wallace, desperate to improve a dismal 1-7 record, pulled McGann in favor of Washington. Though Temple still lost its last four contests, the Owls became far more competitive and almost upset then-No. 12 Virginia Tech, losing 24-23 in overtime.
Wallace has seen a transformation in Washington, a former junior college transfer, and expects last year's performance to aid him in 2004.
"I think his confidence level [is the biggest change]-- the way he ended the season," Wallace said. "There was always that doubt in his mind about what he could accomplish at this level. To be able to make the plays that he made gave him the whole offseason without any doubts."
Benefiting from his preseason appointment as Temple's signal caller, Washington spent his time working on his knowledge of the game and the offensive system, as an undue burden will fall on him if the Owls hope to challenge in the weakened Big East.
"He's done a great job studying the game, studying film, learning our offense," Wallace said. "I'm excited to watch him play. He can do some outstanding things with his size and speed and the way he throws the football."
Virginia sports a highly-touted front seven on defense, but its secondary is largely inexperienced. Slowing down Washington will be a big first test.
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