The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Lions look to defend conference title

    Lion football made history last year. Not only did they win their first conference title in more than 50 years, the Lions also made their first appearance in the Football Championship Series Playoffs. Head Coach Ron Roberts enters his third year as play-caller and looks to expand on Southeastern’s historic 2013 season. 

    Southeastern shocked not only Hammond, but they stirred the attention of FCS coaches throughout America. As win after win piled up, stars began to emerge from the green and gold squad. The crowd in Strawberry Stadium grew larger and more raucous with every passing win. Roberts and his team had given the fans something that the school has lacked in recent years: a sense of Lion pride.

    “We had a lot of fun last year obviously,” said Roberts at a recent Coaches Caravan event. “The best thing was seeing the fans and the stadium grow. It creates a whole different atmosphere, and I’m real thankful for that. It was one of the best things to come out of last year.” 

    As a transfer from Oregon University, Bryan Bennett had plenty of hype built up going into the 2013 season and went on to successfully surpass expectations. It was a testament to what he wanted to accomplish during his Southeastern career. By the end of the season, Bennett set history-making records rushing for 16 touchdowns in a single season. He was named the Southland Newcomer of the Year, Southland Player of the Year and the Louisiana Offensive Player of the Year. Entering his second season, Bennett has set the bar high for himself. The former Oregon Duck was recently named to the Preseason All-Southland Conference team and is being tabbed as a quarterback to watch for the Walter Payton Award, an award given to the top quarterback in the FCS. 

    “It’s great to have a season like we had last year,” said Bennett at the Southland Conference Media Day. “We’re ready to play some football, and we’ve been really preparing. It’s going to be a great season.”

    Bennett was not the only Lion to make it to the preseason All-Southland Conference team. Southeastern had a total of eight players make the first team squad, with Xavier Roberson being named to both the offense and defense. Rasheed Harrell and Jonathan Braddock join Bennett and Roberson on the offensive side while Isiaah Corbett, Jacob Newman, Harlan Miller, Drew Misita and Roberson were all defensive selections.

    Bryan Bennett

    Bryan Bennett evades tacklers in lue of scoring yet another touchdown for the Green and Gold

    Defense in the upcoming year has the potential to be just as impactful in racking up the points as Bennett and the offense. Last season, the Lions featured the top scoring defense in the conference. 

    “We love to score,” said Corbett during Media Day. “We’re going to catch an interception and take it to the crib and try to score faster than the offense scores. We have to play fast, physical and smart, and just get the ball back to Bryan Bennett.” 

    Not only do the Lions plan on scoring from their offense and defense, but the special teams are becoming an area of strength for the green and gold. Roberson set school records last season when he averaged 35.2 yards per kick and returned three for touchdowns. The Atlanta-native was rewarded for his hard work last season being named the College Football Performance Awards FCS National Kick Returner of the Year. Now moving to his position as wide-receiver, Roberson looks to contribute to his team in other ways. As the new season looms, he has already been named to the preseason CFPA National Kick Returner of the Year watch list. 

    “When you have a great player like Xavier, you just want to get the ball in his hands,” said quarterback Bennett at Media Day. “We are going to find some different ways to get him the ball.”

    Depth is an area the Lions should feel comfortable in. To go along with the multiple first team selections to the All-Conference team, Southeastern also tacked on six more athletes to the second All-Southland Conference team.

    “We are so far along depth-wise than we were a year ago,” said Roberts at Media Day. “We have twos that are very good players that come in, and we don’t classify them as twos. They compete for jobs.” 

    A poll was taken among the Southland Conference football coaches at the Conference Media Day, and the Lions were chosen to repeat their success and keep the conference championship at home in Hammond. This will come as no easy task, as stiff competition awaits the Lions in the Southland. 

    “We can’t get caught up in preseason polls, and we have to continue to work hard every day,” said Roberts in an interview with Lionsports.net. 

    The Lions kick off their season against Jacksonville University on Aug. 30 in Strawberry Stadium. Student admission is covered in the cost of tuition, allowing free entrance to home games. For ticket information, visit www.lionsports.net.

    SLU football team

    The Lion’s Roar /  Christopher Martin
    Lion football players display their school spirit while posing with their 2013 Southland Conference Football Championship and River Bell Classic trophies. The “Lion Up” symbol was created by the baseball team a few years ago, but quickly gained popularity with the success of the 2013 football season. 

     

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