Tigers take aim on finishing above .500

Tigers take aim on finishing above .500

Sports | Intown | Islands | Southside | West Chatham

Noell Barnidge | Sunday, August 26, 2007 at 12:30 am

Savannah State has not produced a winning football season since 1998, when the Tigers finished 7-4.

This season, second-year coach Theo Lemon hopes to improve upon last year's 2-9 record and finish above .500 for the first time in nearly a decade.

"What I like is to be judged by wins and losses," Lemon said. "Every coach in America is going to be judged by wins and losses, and I think it's important that we do win.

"But we have to establish a winning nature, a winning way that we get used to. Not just every once in a while. It has to be all the time. I think the young men that we've brought in, and the young men that have hung with us this past spring, understand that and they're ready to go."

SSU will begin its sixth season of competition in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA, at 7 p.m. Thursday against Morgan State in Baltimore.

"We all want to be better than last year," said senior Rashad Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 317-pound offensive lineman from Jacksonville, Fla. "We want to be the best. We all want to bring this program back to its glory years. It has to start somewhere. We feel it should start this year.

"Players 10 years from now can read the media guide and say, 'OK, well these years they had some bad seasons, but for some reason in the 2007 season they seemed to change the program around. We'll go down as legends, the guys who turned the program around."

To improve, SSU must:

Score more points than the 9.8 per game that it averaged last season, and allow fewer than the 34.5 points it gave up.

Run for more yards than the 95.2 per game that it averaged last season, and allow fewer than the 203.7 yards it gave up.

Register more than the 11 sacks it made last season, and allow fewer than the 25 sacks it gave up. Producing a winning season, however, will be difficult.

Breaking in a new QB

Offensively, SSU is without Garrett Williams, its starting quarterback the past two seasons. Williams, who passed for 1,264 yards and eight touchdowns last season, transferred to Division II Fort Valley State, where he is the Wildcats' starting quarterback.

Replacing Williams is JaCorey Kilcrease, a 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore from Macon. Kilcrease is SSU's only quarterback with collegiate experience. He has played in three games, and was 4-for-9 passing for 17 yards. He did not throw a touchdown and he was not intercepted.

Quarterback Javares Taylor, a Jenkins High School graduate, has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, Lemon said. Taylor, a 5-foot-11, 174-pound junior, was Williams' backup last season and played in eight games.

Also gone is leading receiver Mark Williams, who was dismissed for violating team rules, Lemon said. The New Orleans native made 42 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman last season, and he was named Most Valuable Player at SSU's athletics banquet.

The Tigers' top returning receiver is Deleon Hollinger, a 6-foot, 192-pound sophomore from Miami. He caught nine passes for 96 yards and a touchdown last season.

Also gone is leading rusher Chad Cone. As a senior, he ran 105 times for 540 yards and two touchdowns.

The Tigers' top returning running back is Jamie Beard, a 5-10, 228-pound senior from Baxley. The Appling County High School graduate rushed 15 times for 112 yards and a touchdown last season.

"We're better than a two-win team," Beard said. "We don't want to be known as a two-win team. We want to be known for more. We're ready to get out of that."

SSU's offensive line is led by Jackson, the starting left tackle. In keeping with Lemon's offensive philosophy, the Tigers will continue to run more than they will pass.

"All of the offensive linemen have to be on the same page," Jackson said. "We all have to know what the next man is doing, not just worrying about your own personal job. We have to play together as a unit and get confident playing with each other. That will be the key."

Defensively, SSU is without linebacker Trent Newton, its leading tackler the past two seasons. Newton, who is suspended indefinitely for violating team rules, made 114 tackles last season as a sophomore.

The Tigers' top returning tackler is middle linebacker Calvin Leonard, a 6-foot, 234-pound junior from Ellenwood. His 67 tackles last season were second on the team.

SSU's defensive line is led by Dominique Clark, a 6-3, 263-pound senior from Atlanta.

"I'm fired up," Clark said. "It's my last season. I've got to go out with a bang. We've got to (win). The year before, we didn't win any games. The two wins that we had last season are a stepping stone. We're hungry for more."

SSU's secondary is led by strong safety Antwan Allen, a 5-10, 185-pound sophomore from Miami.

Special newcomers

On special teams, SSU is without Del Ben, its top punt returner, and Anthony Huntley, its top kickoff returner. They were suspended for violating team rules, Lemon said, and are no longer on the team. Junior Marcus Darrisaw and freshman Justin Babb are slated to handle the punt returns and kickoff returns, respectively.

Jeremy Johnson, a 6-5, 186-pound senior from Alpharetta, punted 58 times for 1,863 yards last season, an average of 32.1 yards per punt.

Luis Justiniano, a sophomore walk-on, will handle kickoffs, field goals and extra points. Justiniano, who moved to the United States from Bolivia in 2003, began playing football as a senior at Bluffton (S.C.) High School in 2005.

SSU did not attempt a field goal last season. The Tigers were outscored 112-12 in the first quarter, and 133-27 in the second quarter.

By halftime, many of SSU's opponents had removed their starters. The Tigers were outscored 55-25 in the third quarter, and 79-44 in the fourth quarter.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS

COACH: Theo Lemon (second year)

2006 RECORD: 2-9

OFF. STARTERS RET./LOST: 4/7

DEF. STARTERS RET./LOST: 4/7

KEY RETURNEES (2006 STATS): Offense - RB Jamie Beard (15 carries, 112 yds., 1 TD), RB Reginald May (25 carries, 48 yds., 0 TDs), OL Rashad Jackson, OL Derrick Dorsey, OL Algernon Wright, OL Warren Washington. Defense - LB Calvin Leonard (67 tackles), DB Chris Herans (51 tackles), SS Antwan Allen (40 tackles), LB Frank Usher (38 tackles), DE Dominique Clark (34 tackles). Special Teams - P Jeremy Johnson (58 punts, 1,863 yds., 32.1 yd. avg.)

KEY LOSSES (2006 STATS): Offense - QB Garrett Williams (111-for-225, 1,264 yds., 8 TD, 14 INTs), RB Chad Cone (105 carries, 540 yds., 2 TDs), WR Mark Williams (42 catches, 522 yds., 4 TDs), WR Anthony Huntley (13 catches, 181 yds., 0 TDs), TE Marcus Harris (6 catches, 58 yds., 1 TD), OL Peter Booker, OL Kareem Riley. Defense - LB Trent Newton (114 tackles), DL Craig Chambers (32 tackles), DB Jonathan Johnson (31 tackles), DL Tony Newman (29 tackles), DB Ronald Truell (27 tackles), DL Chris Osborne (26 tackles), DB Chris Troutman (22 tackles). Special Teams - PR Del Ben (10 for 73 yds., 0 TDs, 7.3 yd. avg.), KR Anthony Huntley (25 for 588 yds., 1 TD, 23.5 yd. avg.)

SSU 2007 SCHEDULE

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BEARS

When: Aug. 30

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Where: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore

2006 record: 5-6 overall, 4-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA)

Series history: MSU leads 4-0

Last meeting: MSU won 55-26 in 2005

At stake: Momentum. SSU has never beaten MSU and has been outscored a combined 138-46 in the series. The Tigers have not won a season opener since 2004, when they beat Norfolk (Va.) State 41-34 in double overtime. MSU is predicted to finish sixth by MEAC coaches and sports information directors.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY GOLDEN BULLS

When: Sept. 8

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Savannah

2006 record: 7-4 overall, 4-3 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II)

Series history: SSU leads 2-1

Last meeting: Johnson C. Smith won 27-6 in 2006

At stake: This is SSU's home opener, the Joe Turner Classic. Johnson C. Smith is predicted to finish third in the five-team Western Division by CIAA coaches and sports information directors.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN COLLEGE WILDCATS

When: Sept. 15

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Savannah

2006 record: 5-6 overall, 3-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA)

Series history: B-CC leads 29-8

Last meeting: B-CC won 55-6 in 2006

At stake: SSU has not beaten B-CC since 1992, when the late Bill Davis guided the Tigers to a 31-21 victory. B-CC is predicted to finish fifth by MEAC coaches and sports information directors.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS

When: Sept. 29

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

Where: Wildcat Stadium, Fort Valley

2006 record: 5-6 overall, 4-3 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (Division II)

Series history: FVSU leads 33-11-4

Last meeting: FVSU won 25-6 in 2002

At stake: Pride. This one is unofficially being billed as "The Garrett Williams Game" because Williams, SSU's starting quarterback for the past two seasons, is now the starting quarterback at FVSU. Williams transferred after last season because SSU coach Theo Lemon changed the Tigers' offense to a run-oriented attack instead of the pass-happy attack in which Williams thrived under former coach Richard Basil. FVSU is predicted to finish third in the 10-team league by SIAC coaches (the SIAC does not allow sports information directors to vote.) SSU does not play Sept. 22 and will have two weeks to prepare for FVSU.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY BUCCANEERS

When: Oct. 6

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Where: Charleston, S.C.

2006 record: 9-2 overall, 2-2 Big South Conference (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA)

Series history: CSU leads 3-0

Last meeting: CSU won 38-13 in 2006

At stake: SSU will face a challenge in beating the Buccaneers, who have outscored them a combined 107-44 in the series. CSU posted its best record in school history last season. The Buccaneers tied for second in the Big South Conference last season with Gardner-Webb, and are predicted to finish fourth in the five-team league by BSC coaches and sports information directors.

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE MAROON TIGERS

When: Oct. 13

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Where: B.T. Harvey Stadium, Atlanta

2006 record: 2-9 overall, 1-6 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (Division II)

Series history: SSU leads 15-13

Last meeting: SSU won 24-20 in 2006

At stake: Consistency. Last season, SSU scored 18 fourth-quarter points and shut out Morehouse in the second half to win the 14th CSRA Classic in Augusta. The victory snapped SSU's 19-game losing streak that dated back to October 2004. Was it a fluke? This season, the teams will not participate in the 15th CSRA Classic in Augusta. Both teams pulled out, citing the CSRA Classic Committee's "inability to honor the same financial obligations of previous agreements." The game was moved to Morehouse. Maroon Tigers offensive lineman Joseph Williams, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior from Savannah, was named to the All-SIAC preseason first team. Morehouse is predicted to finish last in the 10-team league by SIAC coaches (the SIAC does not allow sports information directors to vote.)

N. CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY EAGLES

When: Oct. 20

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Where: Memorial Stadium, Savannah

2006 record: 11-1 overall, 7-0 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II)

Series history: NCCU is 1-0-1

Last meeting: NCCU won 30-0 in 1975

At stake: NCCU, formerly a member of the Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is in transition to becoming a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. NCCU will compete as an independent this season in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA. NCCU is the defending Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College Football National Champion, the Eagles' first title in the 33 years that SBN has conducted the poll. NCCU lost, 24-17, to Delta State in the second round of the Division II playoffs last season. In the two games between the schools, SSU has never scored against NCCU. The teams played to a scoreless tie in 1974. In 1975, NCCU won 30-0.

EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS

When: Oct. 27

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

Where: T.A. Wright Stadium

2006 record: 1-9 overall (NAIA)

Series history: Edward Waters leads 10-7-4

Last meeting: SSU won 28-7 in 2006

At stake: It's SSU's Homecoming. The Tigers lost Homecoming 38-6 last season to Winston-Salem (N.C.) State, so SSU is bringing in Edward Waters. SSU has not won its Homecoming game since 2004, when the Tigers beat NAIA-level Allen 34-0. SSU lost its 2005 Homecoming, 28-27, to Lemon's Central State of Ohio Marauders.

GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS

When: Nov. 3

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

Where: Boiling Springs, N.C.

2006 record: 6-5 overall, 2-2 Big South Conference (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA)

Series history: GWU leads 4-0

Last meeting: GWU won 31-21 in 2005

At stake: SSU will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., for the first time since 2002, when GWU won 44-13. The Bulldogs tied for second in the Big South Conference last season with Charleston Southern, and are predicted to finish third in the five-team league by BSC coaches and sports information directors.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY DELTA DEVILS

When: Nov. 17

Kickoff: 2 p.m.

Where: T.A. Wright Stadium, Savannah

2006 record: 6-5 overall, 5-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference (Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA)

Series history: MVSU leads 2-0

Last meeting: MVSU won 67-2 in 1965

At stake: This is SSU's final game of the regular season. The Tigers do not play Nov. 10 and will have two weeks to prepare for MVSU. The Delta Devils beat SSU 53-0 in 1964. MVSU is predicted to finish last in the SWAC's five-team Eastern Division by the SWAC coaches and sports information directors.

SSU DEPTh CHART

OFFENSE

POS. NO. NAME HT WT Yr.

WR 21 Chris Rhines 6-1 179 Fr.

81 A.J. Denson 6-1 165 Fr.

WR 10 Anthony Bowden 5-11 206 So.

11 Isaiah Osborne 5-11 185 Jr.

RT 59 Derrick Dorsey 6-4 290 So.

72 Brandon Patterson 6-4 240 Fr.

RG 74 Algernon Wright 6-2 432 So.

76 Dan Johnson 6-2 300 Fr.

C 73 Kenny Andrew 5-10 271 Jr.

60 Kevin Thompson 6-1 265 Fr.

LG 64 Justin Norton 6-2 338 Jr.

65 Warren Washington 5-10 312 Jr.

LT 66 Rashad Jackson 6-4 317 Sr.

70 William Edwards 6-3 290 Fr.

TE 88 Joshua Marshall 6-6 230 So.

83 Cyril Owusu 6-2 245 Fr.

FB 35 Jamie Beard 5-10 228 Sr.

30 Charles Huggins 5-11 193 So.

TB 28 Reginald May 5-9 185 Jr.

22 Antwan Edwards 5-9 177 Fr.

QB 3 JaCorey Kilcrease 6-0 170 So.

5 Greg McCrary 6-1 180 Fr.

DEFENSE

POS. NO. NAME HT WT Yr.

DE 55 Dominique Clark 6-3 263 Sr.

96 Joe Myles 5-11 266 Fr.

DT 92 Randy Harling 6-3 279 Sr.

95 Keith Holmes 6-5 281 So.

DT 77 Devin Rice 6-0 269 So.

50 LaDarien Redfield 6-2 281 Fr.

DE 91 Chris Reed 6-4 251 So.

93 Brandon Miller 5-11 258 So.

SLB 31 Morris Drayton 6-0 203 Jr.

43 Jeffrey Robertson 6-0 205 Fr.

MLB 51 Calvin Leonard 6-0 234 Jr.

53 Willie Hall 5-11 231 So.

WLB 12 Frank Usher 6-1 218 Jr.

46 Vince Cochran 5-11 200 Fr.

CB 19 Jeremy Boston 6-0 190 Jr.

24 Jamar Graham 5-11 148 Fr.

SS 26 Antwan Allen 5-10 185 So.

33 Antoine Stewart 6-1 211 Sr.

FS 8 Javorris Jackson 6-4 216 Jr.

7 Bernard Coleman 6-1 187 Jr.

CB 1 Marcus Darrisaw 6-0 181 Jr.

29 Karnell Feagins 5-11 181 Fr.