St. Joe's band to perform for Oklahoma at Temple football game

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- When the Temple Owls host the 13th-ranked Oklahoma Sooners this Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field, the action won't be limited to the gridiron.

In an unexpected twist, the Saint Joseph's University Hawk Band will be performing in place of Oklahoma's "Pride of Oklahoma" marching band, which is not traveling to non-conference games this season due to budget constraints.

The arrangement came together quickly after Oklahoma reached out last Friday, according to Saint Joseph's band director Ben Hemsley.

"We got an email from Brian Britt, the band director at OU, inviting us to play, and we were very happy to accept," Hemsley said.

"We have rivalries, I like to think they're friendly rivalries. I know for a lot of fans they're not, but we're not out to get the Temple band," Hemsley added. "We just want to have a good time. It's an opportunity to perform alongside another Philly band, and we don't get that opportunity a lot."

The Hawk Band played Oklahoma fight songs at an alumni event in Center City on Friday evening, a move that ruffled the feathers of some Temple Owls.

"Maybe they can lend a couple players too because they're going to need it when they play Temple," said Emmanuel Moreno, a Temple freshman.

"That's kind of a little stab at us there," added fellow freshman Joe Henske.

Despite the rivalry, St. Joe's students say the experience is a rare and welcome one.

"We've never played at a football game since we don't have a football team," said Mia Douglas, a senior in the Hawk Band. "And it's nice to get our newbies in and get them some experience before our official season starts."

Saturday's game kicks off at noon, and excitement is building on both sides. Temple fans are hopeful but realistic about their chances against the nationally ranked Sooners.

"This is the first time that Temple's going to sell out, maybe sell out a crowd, so this will be really cool," said Nick Parr, a Temple senior.

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm a TU fan, but we're cooked," said freshman Vini Carobressi.

"I watch football all the time. I saw Oklahoma beat Michigan, but I don't care, we're gonna upset. We got a new coach. He's a really good coach," added freshman Antwan Isman.

Oklahoma fans, meanwhile, are confident heading into the matchup.

"I definitely think we're going to win," said Gracie Johnson, an Oklahoma grad and Sooner state native now living in Philadelphia.

"The reason why I like Philly so much is because Sooner fans and Eagles fans and just the Philly sports fans here in general, they're very similar, so it's like the passion and everything, seeing it from both sides is a cool thing to see."

Adding to the tension, some Oklahoma reporters were caught on a hot mic earlier this week comparing Temple's game day crowd to that of a high school game. Temple fans hope the Owls will prove them wrong.