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Football: Is Noise Too Much For Pierce

July 16, 2010
Temple has thrown a Heisman campaign behind its star sophomore.

By Peter Schinkai

pschinkai@themacdaily.com

 

PHILADELPHIA – One of my favorite story lines from the 2009 Mid-American Conference season was the resurgence of Temple football under Al Golden.

Perhaps the key to the Owls success lies in the legs of last season's MAC Freshman of the Year, Bernard Pierce. The rookie charged to an amazing 1,361 yards and 10 touchdowns, both of which are Temple records.

Bernard Pierce / Courtesy of TU
Pierce is expected to keep running over defenses in 2010.

Now, before he even starts his sophomore campaign, the accolades are flying in, as is the pressure. Pierce has been named a Preseason All-American and he's even being considered by some to be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Now, the Owls are even getting into the act. On Friday, Temple launched the web site Pierce4Heisman.com, a marketing site designed to keep the Owls star running back in the media spotlight from Day 1.

For Temple, I love this move. The Owls are well known in Philly, but that has always been for the school's rich basketball history. Now, TU is make some noise for a football team that is coming off a 9-4 season and a trip to the EagleBank Bowl.

Still, I have to wonder if this is the best move for Pierce. The sophomore is coming off of a great year, but he's still very young and the added pressure could be his undoing. It wasn't that long ago that Akron threw all of its marketing might behind the arm of Charlie Frye, priming him for a Heisman campaign in 2004.

How did that end?

Well, the Zips struggled mightily out of the gates, beginning the season 1-4 before being saved by a five-game winning streak. Akron salvaged a 6-5 season, but Frye's numbers, and his team's struggles, failed to make him a serious contender for the Heisman, and he even lost out on MAC Player of the Year honors to MAC East foe Omar Jacobs.

What does that have to do with Pierce?

Frye was a senior playing in a league that he'd been dominating for three years, and the spotlight, coupled with some early disappointments derailed his season. Pierce comes into the year without that level of experience, and on a team that prior to last year, hadn't tasted any success in his life time.

For the marketing gurus in Philadelphia, this move might help boost some early-season tickets. I just hope that it doesn't also put too much pressure on one of the MAC's best, young talents.