TUSKEGEE is coming off a history-making season despite not winning the division or conference title. The Golden Tigers were in the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history, narrowly losing to North Alabama 31-28 in the first round. They enter the season No. 25 in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll, the same position they held in the 2013 final poll.
The Golden Tigers have a number of returning starters from the squad that outscored opponents by nearly a 2-to-1 margin in 2013, averaging 31.5 points a game while allowing 17.0. Quarterback Justin Nared returns for his fourth season as the Golden Tigers’ starter. Sophomore running back Hoderick Lowe is a speedy home run hitter in the backfield. Wide receivers Marquel Gardner (31 receptions, 614 yards, 5 TDs) and Larry Cobb (24 catches, 487 yard, 4 TDs) are dependable big play targets. All-SIAC picks Michael D. Thornton and Matthew Reece anchor the offensive line. Reese was also named to several preseason All-American teams. Marquiste Mason joins El’Maik Chinn to form one of the more formidable linebacker tandems in the SIAC.
STILLMAN is the darkhorse in the division. The Tigers had three winning seasons in Teddy Keaton’s three years. They were one of the more explosive offensive teams in the conference last season, finishing No. 2 in passing yards (262.5 yards a game) and total offense (404.2 yards a game). Look for them to produce at a high level again this season. Just how productive the Lions will be revolves around Quarterback Joshua Straughan, a junior who was one of the top freshmen in the conference and was having a solid sophomore season (1,334 passing yards, 10 touchdowns) before being injured and missing the last six games. The Tigers’ defense returns the top five tacklers from last season. They also have a new coordinator, Bruce Jackson, after finishing third in total yards allowed (298.7).
CENTRAL STATE and LANE – both of whom have new coaches – will bring up the rear in the division, along with KENTUCKY STATE. Lane, which had a 21-game losing streak from 2008-11, had been on the upswing. The Dragons increased their victory total by one win each season of the last three seasons of Coach Derrick Burroughs’ four-year tenure. Burroughs has departed to become defensive coordinator at Jackson State, and it is up to interim coach Malik Hoskins to continue the Dragons’ improvement.
Hoskins has been with the Dragons six seasons and was offensive coordinator for Burroughs. Don’t look for things to change offensively for the Dragons. They were the No. 1 passing team in the conference (294.7 yards a game) and led the conference in total offense (415.8 yards a games) as well. But the Dragons are in dire need of defensive improvement after giving up 427.5 yards a game. With that in mind, expect lots of points for both sides when the Dragons play.
CENTRAL STATE hopes to fare better in its second season in the SIAC than it did in its first year in the league when the Marauders were 2-8. Cedric Pearl is their new coach. Quarterback Michael Wilson is an exciting dual threat at quarterback, but the Marauders don’t have much else on either side of the ball.
KENTUCKY STATE played well enough last season to have ‘interim’ removed from Coach Josh Dean’s title while finishing 5-5. That is going to be tough act to follow unless the Thorobreds are able to find some offensive weapons to complement running back Jacquise Lockett, who led the conference in rushing with 1,095 yards. Lockett accounted for 16 of the Thorobreds’ 19 rushing TDs, and all but 593 of their rushing yards.
Don’t look for a shift in the balance of power in the CIAA simply because Kienus Boulware has taken over for Maynor as head coach at WINSTON-SALEM STATE. The Rams remain the class of the CIAA field as they vie for their third consecutive conference title. Their roster boasts 18 starters, 41 lettermen and seven first-team All-CIAA picks. Senior quarterback Rudy Johnson (1,713 passing yards, 19 touchdowns) the headliner. The Rams are No. 14 in the AFCA rankings.
FAYETTEVILLE STATE could challenge the Rams for the top spot in the South Division. Their Nov. 8 showdown will likely determine who advances to the conference championship game. The Broncos excelled at taking care of the ball last, committing just 13 turnovers (three fumbles, 10 interceptions). Avoiding giving the ball away will play a key role in their success again this season.
A lot of the responsibility for that will fall on the shoulders of quarterback Derek Bryant (1,670 passing yards, 13 touchdowns). A challenging early season schedule could make it difficult for SHAW to duplicate the Bears’ 6-4 record from last season. Their first three games are against Miles, West Alabama and UNC Pembroke, with the first two on the road. If the Bears come through those games with a couple of victories, a big season could be in store. Running back Marquise Grizzle and quarterback Trevius Folston are solid performers, but they will operate behind an inexperienced offensive line that lost all five starters to graduation.
JOHNSON C. SMITH, SAINT AUGUSTINE and LIVINGSTONE are looking to improve but have too much ground to make up to contend for the top spot in the division. VIRGINIA STATE stormed to the North Division title in Coach Latrell Scott’s first season. The Trojans have eight starters returning and must plug a number of holes in order to repeat. Sophomore quarterback Tarian Ayres will move into the starting lineup, replacing Justin Thorpe. Ayres started and won two games last season. The Trojans won with defense and a strong running game a year ago, but they are missing All-CIAA running back Jordan Anderson, the top rusher in the conference.
ELIZABETH CITY STATE is looking to rebound from an unaccustomed losing season, its first since 2005. Coach Waverly Tiller is counting on running back Petey Boone (957 rushing yards) to carry the offensive load and put the Vikings in contention for the top spot in the division.
BOWIE STATE is looking for better days after posting a 5-5 record last season. The Bulldogs return 42 lettermen and 14 starters – seven on each side of the ball. That gives Coach Damon Wilson a good foundation to build on.
CHOWAN had a disappointing season with a 4-6 record. But the Hawks return 85 lettermen, including linebacker Tim Denny and offensive lineman Kevin Tarr, a pair of 2013 CIAA All-Rookie picks. The Hawks were one of the better offensive teams in the conference, averaging 399.4 yards a game. But their defense wasn’t up to par, and that likely will be the case again this season.
VIRGINIA UNION has called on defensive line coach Mark James to mold the Panthers into contenders. James will build around 2013 CIAA All-Rookie quarterback Shawheem Dowdy on offense and linebacker London Byrd and cornerback Willie Bailey, two more All-Rookie picks. Another long season appears to be on the horizon for Lincoln following last year’s 1-9 debacle. Senior quarterback Doug Cook is one the Lions’ few bright spots. Cook already holds the school career passing records for yards (6,620) and touchdowns (41).
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