ATHENS, Ohio - Temple has found a starting quarterback to fit its system.
Chris Coyer, a redshirt sophomore, earned the job based on Wednesday's performance against Ohio at Peden Stadium.
"It's a dream come true," Coyer said of winning the starting position. "I've been wishing for this and hoping for this ever since I was a kid."
By the way he played in the 35-31 setback, Temple fans are probably wishing the Owls (5-4, 3-3) would have made the switch sooner.
Chester Stewart made his sixth consecutive start but after two unproductive series was replaced by Coyer to start Temple's third series. By the end of the Owls' next series, it was obvious Stewart wouldn't get his spot back.
Coyer knotted the score at 7-all with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Rodriguez with 11 minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the half. That was just the beginning.
The 6-foot-3, 214-pounder completed 8 of 14 passes for a career-high 123 yards and his first three career touchdown passes. The dual threat also had 17 carries for a career-best 184 rushing yards.
"I told you when I got here, that's kind of where I wanted to head and you finally saw where I like to be," said first-year coach Steve Addazio, who was formerly Florida's offensive coordinator. "I want to be a spread-option team with a power run game.
"I thought that kid did a marvelous job for really in his first time in his career . . . playing significantly."
Before Wednesday, Coyer had seen only mop-up duty in three games this season. As a result, he didn't throw any passes. However, he did have touchdown runs of 68 and 74 yards.
While those runs were impressive, Coyer wasn't considered a starting candidate because of his less-than-stellar practices.
But things changed in the last month. That's when his improved practice performances, leadership, and work ethic impressed the coaches.
"There comes a time when you have to say to yourself, enough's enough," Coyer said of his improvement. "I knew that I hadn't been playing as well as I should in practice. And it was definitely time for me to step up my game and show that I'm ready to play."
He took the majority of the first-team snaps in last week's practices. Stewart still got the start in the nationally televised game. There was a thought that if the fifth-year senior struggled, he would probably get a quick hook, and in the process Coyer would become the starter for the rest of the season.
That's exactly what happened.
