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2011 Savannah State Football Preview

The Steve Davenport era in Savannah State football will begin on September 3 when the Tigers open the 2011 season against Albany State in the Music City Classic at Macon’s Henderson Stadium at 5pm.

Davenport signed 30 players during the off-season and hired former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver as his offensive coordinator.

The Tigers are hungry for some wins but time will tell if SSU will finally get to to feast or continue to be the main course.

The staff wanted the players to forget about what happen in the past but statistics don’t lie and the Tigers finished at or near the bottom in many FCS statistics last season, averaging only 10.2 points a game while giving up 40.1 points a contest.

Offense

Senior AJ Defilippis (457 yds & 2 TD’s) won the starting job at quarterback during the spring but a more mobile Antonio Bostick (765 yds & 4 TD’s) awaits in the wings as well as freshman Victorian Hardison. Running back Justin Babb returns after receiving a medical redshirt last year and will complimented by Sheldon Barnes (563 yds & 4 TD’s) and freshman Chris Strong. The receivers are big and strong and will be led by returnees Dylan Cook (6-2, 185), Simon Heyward (423 yds) and Bryan Lackey (6-4, 195). Desmond Gannt (6-6, 215) adds size to the tight end position. After surrendering 37 sacks a year ago, the offensive line must show improvement if the Tigers expect to generate any kind of consistent offense. Demetrius Edwards (6-3, 300) anchors a line which returns four starters.

Defense

The Tigers will set up in a 4-3 defense. Reginald Givens (40 tackles) has been moved from the line to linebacker and will be joined by fellow seniors Nate Clay and Sadrak Jean-Baptise (59 tackles). Juniors James Briscoe, Terrance Williams and Tim Wright (6-4, 275) will anchor the line along with sophomore Denzell Carter. The secondary has experience with the return of John Wilson (57 tackles) and Justin Cooper (6-2, 175) on the corners and Chris Asbury (66 tackles) and Richie Rucker (6-1,194) at the safety spots. Darren Hunter, who made the second team preseason All-MEAC defensive unit, has been slowed by a concussion but should return to the lineup soon. Hunter led the team with 66 tackles a year ago from his safety spot.

Special Teams

Derek Williams returns for his final go round. Williams hit a career-long 47 yard field goal last year but has made field goals beyond 50 yards during the preseason. He made 13 of 14 extra point attempts and will also handle the punting duties where he averaged 36 yards a punt.

Schedule

The Tigers enter a new era with the first season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. SSU will spend the first four weeks of the season on the road before hosting Howard at the newly renovated TA Wright Stadium on October 1. The home portion of the schedule is fan friendly with Howard, FAMU, Hampton (Homecoming), Norfolk State and South Carolina State visiting the port city but road contests include at trip to FSC power Appalachian State in mid-September. The Tigers will play four teams who advanced to the playoffs last season.


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