Anthony Russo makes QB debut for Temple

Temple redshirt sophomore Anthony Russo saw his first-ever action at quarterback and looked comfortable in his brief appearance during Saturday's 36-29 loss to Buffalo at Lincoln Financial Field.

Russo has seen action as a holder, but the product of Archbishop Wood never played quarterback in a game.

"It was the first I played in a live football game in two-and-half, three years, so to be able to get out there, run around make a couple of throws, and it was a lot of fun," Russo said. "Tough loss and we have to watch the film and see what we can fix and come back stronger."

Russo went in the game with fellow quarterback Todd Centeio, who lined up as a running back in the set. Centeio has appeared in games as a quarterback, including briefly in last week's 19-17 loss to Villanova. This year the Owls have some running packages with him. He also appeared in two games last season.

Coach Geoff Collins said it was determined before the game that Russo and Centeio would play together in the third series. Both Russo and Centeio played parts of two series together in the game. Starter Frank Nutile played the majority of the game.

Russo completed 2 of 4 passes for 24 yards. Centeio gained six yards on two carries and threw one incomplete pass.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Russo threw an incomplete pass his first play but then found Brodrick Yancy for 18 yards.

"The first one I rushed a little bit and kind of tensed up," Russo said. "The first snap isn't an excuse, I have to make that throw. The second one I made the throw I needed to make."

Russo says being paired with Centeio is a quarterback's dream.

"We have a whole bunch of plays we didn't show tonight that we could use," Russo said. "Toddy is a great playmaker…"

Injury update

Temple defensive end Quincy Roche started the game, missed a few quarters due to an unspecified injury but returned for the final two series.

Collins said that Roche got "banged up" and that the team should know more by Sunday about his status.

Roche is the second defensive end to suffer an injury. Dana Levine is expected out four to six weeks after suffering an unspecified injury during Temple's opener.

Playing with a heavy heart

Buffalo receiver Anthony Johnson, who scored the game-winning touchdown on a 29-yard scoring pass from Tyree Jackson with 59 seconds left, was playing with a heavy heart.

Johnson said after the game that on Friday he got word that his best friend De'mon Davis was shot and killed.

"Even though I had a heavy heart, I wanted to play for him and my teammates," said Johnson, who had six receptions for 76 yards and the game-winning score. "So I just struck through it and came in and gave my all."

Up next

Temple will visit Maryland (2-0) in Saturday's noon game. Maryland opened the season with a 34-29 win over Texas and on Saturday beat host Bowling Green, 45-14, outscoring the Falcons, 28-0 in the fourth quarter.

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