Temple to Move to MAC

[Water Pony]

Owls to join MAC for football

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Temple University has scheduled a press conference for Tuesday to make a major announcement concerning its football program. According to reports from two Philadelphia newspapers, the school will officially accept an invitation to join the Mid-American Conference.

The arrangement will cover many years, with Temple becoming a full football- playing member of the MAC in 2007. In addition, there will likely be scheduling relationships in all sports, including contests in men's and women's basketball.

Last season, the Owls faced two teams from the MAC and lost both games. They were defeated 45-17 at Toledo and then suffered an embarrassing 70-16 setback at home to Bowling Green.

In addition to rematches this year against the Rockets and Falcons, Temple is also scheduled to play MAC teams Western Michigan and Miami-Ohio.

The Owls, who posted a 2-9 mark in 2004, were kicked out of the Big East Conference after this past season for failing to meet minimum requirements for membership.

An original member of the Big East Football Conference, Temple managed just 14 wins in its 14 years in the league. The Owls' poor attendance mark, as well as its failure to field a competitive team, led to the conference's decision to dismiss the program.

Temple, which last had a winning season in 1990 and has not played in a bowl game since 1979, will participate as an independent for the next two years. However, the 2006 schedule will likely feature an even greater emphasis on MAC opponents.

05/16 14:29:33 ET