A familiar face may be manning the Temple offense when the Owls travel across the state to Beaver Stadium on September 22. It was officially announced today that former Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome has signed on with Temple. Because he sat out the 2011 campaign, Newsome will be eligible to compete during the 2012 season.

The Portsmouth, Virginia native was a highly regarded prospect out of high school and was Daryll Clark’s backup during his freshman year. He was a front-runner to be the starter in 2010, but was passed on the depth chart by both Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin.

There was speculation that Newsome would transfer that season, but he stuck around Happy Valley, recorded hip-hop songs under the name “NewNew” and was the team’s 3^rd-string quarterback. NewNew then announced his intent to transfer last August and sat out the 2011 season.

The athletic Newsome never really lived up to the hype for Penn State. The only playing time he saw in the blue and white came from the six games he played in the 2010 season and completed 6 of 13 passes for 78 yards. He also carried 13 times for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Whether he succeeds in the MAC remains to be seen, but at least he’ll presumably get the opportunity to compete for playing time.