Temple tackle James McHale makes most of his chance

James McHale patiently waited his turn at Temple, and his time finally came Saturday, in a 28-24 loss to visiting Connecticut.

A redshirt junior, McHale saw the most extensive playing time in his Temple career, subbing almost the entire game for injured left tackle Leon Johnson. Johnson, who has made 29 career starts, suffered an ankle injury on the second play of the game, sidelining him for the rest of the afternoon.

Coach Geoff Collins said Tuesday that Johnson was working toward returning, but he couldn't say whether the tackle will be ready for Saturday's noon game at Army. The Owls (3-4) need to go 3-2 in their final five games to become bowl-eligible. Army (5-2) has won three in a row.

McHale, a 6-foot-6, 300-pound graduate of Dunmore (Pa.) High, wasn't the first player to replace Johnson. Redshirt junior Jaelin Robinson got the call, but after Robinson jumped offside, McHale replaced him and stayed in the game.

"I had some big shoes to fill in Leon and Jaelin, and I never had anywhere near 75 snaps like that before," McHale said. "It was good to get out there a first time and get it out of my system."

McHale has yet to start in his 18 games. He is on the field-goal and PAT protection units, but other than that, he estimated he had about a half-dozen snaps at tackle this season before Saturday.

He was exhausted afterward.

"It reminded me of my time in high school, when I didn't come off the field," he said, "but I only played one way on Saturday, and I was gassed."

Offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said, "He did a good job going in there, and I think he only gave up one pressure."

Collins added: "I am really proud of James McHale, who stepped in for Leon. He hadn't played a lot of football and replaced a guy who started, and he fought and battled."

McHale said, "I am out here playing football every day and having fun, and at the end of the day, it is about having fun and getting an education but it is tough sometimes [not playing]. You have bad days and get down, but I am having fun."

He has certainly taken advantage of his educational opportunities. At the end of this semester, McHale will graduate in 3 1/2 years with a degree in criminal justice. He said he plans to work toward his master's degree, and his goal is to be a state trooper.

McHale insisted he won't be preparing differently this week, with the possibility of more playing time.

"Definitely not," he said. "We have a process and have been preparing the same way since Week 1."

McHale acknowledged that he paused Saturday to take everything in. While he was disappointed with the loss, he realized it was a big step for him.

"I come out here and grind every day with my brothers," he said. "It's a great feeling to go out there and actually play and see the hard work pay off."

38: Passes Army has attempted all season. By comparison, Temple's Logan Marchi attempted 54 in Saturday's 28-24 loss to Connecticut. Not surprisingly, Army has yet to allow a sack.

378.4: Rushing yards per game for Army, which ranks second in the nation. Conversely, Temple is 120th, averaging 102.4.

8.0: Average tackles for loss for Temple, which is first in the American Athletic Conference and ninth nationally.