Quarterback Danny O'Brien was one of the highest-profile players to leave. After graduating from Maryland in three years, O'Brien transferred to Wisconsin in the spring. As a graduate student, he is able for play immediately.
O'Brien, the Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year in 2010, lost his starting position at Maryland to C.J. Brown last season.
But true freshman Perry Hills - not Brown - is this season's starting quarterback. The Pittsburgh native became the starter in training camp after Brown suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee.
Safety Seth Davis and place-kicker Brad Craddock, two other true freshmen, are also starting.
Davis is replacing Matt Robinson, who injured his left shoulder on the second day of preseason practice. Craddock earned the nod while Nick Ferrara was nursing a sore hip in training camp.
Of the three, Davis, who registered four tackles, had the best performance against the Tribe.
Craddock missed a 25-yard field goal with 7 minutes, 33 seconds left in the second quarter. But after Justus Pickett's 6-yard touchdown run with 9:52 remaining, Craddock's extra point won the game.
Hills, however, had a rough debut.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder completed 16 of 24 passes for 145 yards and three interceptions. His first two picks set up William and Mary field goals.
"Perry - just trying to do something he shouldn't do," Edsall said Tuesday. "Not every play has to be a touchdown. It was more of the reads than anything else.
"We have a better feel for him and how much we can do with him."
The Owls might want to keep an eye on true freshman Stefon Diggs, a punt returner and reserve wideout. Diggs returned three punts for 50 yards on Saturday. He also had three receptions for 30 yards.
Brown, McManus honored: Temple seniors Matt Brown and Brandon McManus are still being acknowledged for Friday's standout performances against Villanova.
The Louisville Sport Commission named Brown to the Paul Hornung Weekly Honor Roll on Tuesday. On the same day, McManus was named the Metropolitan New York Football Writers' Association specialist of the week.
McManus scored 11 points in the 41-10 victory over the Wildcats.
Brown carried the ball 19 times for 145 yards. The highlight was his 56-yard touchdown run 21 seconds before halftime.
Contact Keith Pompey at 215-854-2939 or kpompey@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @pompeysgridlock. Read his blog, "Owls Inq," at www.philly.com/owlsinq.
