Veterans ready to lead SU to SWAC title

It’s here.
Are you ready?
You should be, because here it comes.
That’s right, with the conclusion of Camp Richardson XVI, the 2008 football season is finally within arm’s reach as Southern is set to open against Houston in Robertson Stadium, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
With that said, it’s best you know who will be impact players this season and who needs to step their game up in filling major voids left by veteran players.
The first comes as no surprise as redshirt junior quarterback Bryant Lee returns to lead the SU offense. Lee accounted for 2,326 yards passing and 23 touchdowns, with only four interceptions in 2007. He also rushed for 274 yards (good for second on the team behind Darren Coates) and four touchdowns. Keep in mind Lee was nicked up last year and only played a significant role in nine games.
Second wide receivers Juamorris Stewart and Del Roberts must string together successful seasons. Roberts, a former North Carolina transfer and key clog in SU’s offense is set to graduate in December, but must first remain healthy as back injuries cost him two games last season. As a junior Roberts racked up 474 yards and two touchdowns on 42 receptions. He also had two 100-yard receiving games against Texas Southern and Tennessee State.
Like Roberts, Stewart must be consistent also as he steps in to replace the void left by veterans RaShon Jacobs and Gerard Landry. Stewart often dropped passes turning in season highs of five receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Stewart finished with 237 yards and one touchdown on 23 receptions. As a go-to-guy his play this season must improve.
Running back may be the position with the most question marks as Kendrick Smith and Brian Threat return to replace dual-threat Darren Coates. Smith, who missed four games in the middle of last season with a foot injury and then had just 14 carries for 26 yards in the final three games, was the top tailback in camp.
Though Smith and Threat haven’t shown the same playmaking ability as Coates, they do however combine with newcomers Silas Gibbs, Byron Williams and Jerry Joseph to give SU one of its deepest back fields in years.
On the defensive side of things coach Terrence Graves’ unit looks to anchor the team as seniors Vince Lands, Glen Bell and Michael Williams all returned in shape and ready to go. And from its showing in preseason camp the defense could very well carry this squad.
Notes
Fan Day, which will include a scrimmage, is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Notable Newcomers
Gibbs, Williams and Joseph, wide receiver LaQuinton Evans, offensive linemen Lee Almanza and Chris Browne and defensive linemen Ken Frankson and Kennon Gilliard, both from Yates High in Houston.
Predictions, Predictions
•Don’t be surprised if SU finishes 9-2 or even 10-1, and atop the Western Division.
•With an upgrade to 14, the O-Line must gel and come together as a unit before SU begins SWAC play Sept. 27 at Alcorn State. If the group is able to keep Lee clean and injury free the sky is the limit.
•If the protection is there along with consistency from the receivers, look for Lee to post career highs in passing yards and touchdowns and live up to his preseason SWAC player of the year honor.
•Redshirt junior receiver Clevan White only had 20 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown last season, but look for him to produce if he’s cleared academically. White had 107 yards on eight receptions in his most significant action against Jackson State.
•With the SWAC pushing back conference play to the last weekend in September and moving from its nine game format down to seven that count in the standings, look for Southern’s Oct. 4, game at Jackson State to be its toughest test of the season.
SU Bus Trips
SU’s Blue & Gold Fan Club’s bus trips this season are as follows:
•Aug. 30, at University of Houston, $90, including game ticket and food.
•Sept. 6, vs. Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn., $140 (for travel, game ticket and refreshments on bus) with $94 for hotel room (to be paid directly to the hotel).
•Sept. 27, at Alcorn State, $65 (including game ticket and food).
•Oct. 4, at Jackson State, $70 (including game ticket and food).
•Oct. 25, vs. Prairie View in Houston, $85 (including game ticket and food).
•Nov. 15, vs. Alabama State in Mobile, Ala., $70 (includes game ticket and food).
•Nov. 29, Bayou Classic in New Orleans, $35 (bus trip only, plus refreshments).