Pioneer Bowl to wrap up 2003 grid season
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
The resurrection of the game, started in 1997 pitting teams from the two conferences, was primarily the work of new Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner, Dr. William Lide, who made it a priority upon assuming the reins of the conference in May.
"I thought it was a very important opportunity to host the only Historically Black College and University bowl game in the United States," said Lide, a former athletic director at Central Arkansas and North Carolina Central, from his office Tuesday in Atlanta.
"I thought the SIAC could be the driving force in re-setting the infrastructure and putting together a long-term strategic plan for its success. And I had a good partner in (CIAA Commissioner) Leon Kerry."
Despite their championship credentials, both teams were shut out of the NCAA Div. II playoffs this season, a development that could change next year when the playoff field is expanded from 16 to 24 teams.
But the playoff snubs have not dampened what have been excellent seasons for both squads that reasserted their dominance in their respective conferences.
Both teams are led by fourth-year coaches who have turned around the fortunes of their programs.
When Kenny Phillips took over at FSU in 2000, the Broncos were coming off a 1-10 season and were the acknowledged doormats of the CIAA. Last year in just his third year at the helm, he got the school its first-ever conference crown and Div. II playoff berth. The latter was the first for the CIAA in ten years.
A 28-27 loss to 3-7 Livingstone on the final week of the regular season likely ended any hopes of a playoff berth this year.
The Broncos repeated this season as West Division champs and knocked off East Division titleholder Virginia Union, 23-19 in the CIAA Championship Game, to take their second conference title in a row.
Albany State ruled the SIAC under former coach Hamp Smith winning nine titles during his 24 seasons, including five consecutive crowns from 1993 to 1997.
When Smith retired in 1999, he left the program in the capable hands of former ASU player James White, who had served as his defensive coordinator since 1984 and assistant head coach since 1997.
White took a while to return the Golden Rams to dominance but he accomplished it this year.
Behind the play of talented first team all-conference quarterback Uyl Joyner, 1,000-yard freshman rusher Antonio Atkins and SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, defensive end Walter Curry, the Rams beat out Kentucky State to win their first title under White.
They also placed nine players, including almost the entire offensive line, on the all-SIAC first team. Not bad for a squad that needed wins in their last two games and losses by KSU in their final two to grab the title.
The Rams were ranked sixth in the South Region heading into the final week of the regular season but did not move up despite a season-ending win over Fort Valley State. The top four teams in the region make the Div. II playoff field.
ASU will be looking to expand a 4-1 lead the SIAC has in the Pioneer Bowl over the CIAA. The only win for the CIAA was Winston-Salem State's victory over Tuskegee in Pioneer Bowl III.
FSU is expected to make use of all-CIAA receiver Darryl Bright (65 rec., 840 yds., 4 TD), who doubles as a dangerous punt returner, and hard-running Amir Holding who led the Broncos in rushing with 773 yards. QB Duane Taylor threw for 19 touchdowns and only seven interceptions for the Broncos.
Linebacker Damien Adams and defensive back Walt William were the two defenders named to the all-CIAA squad. William picked off nine passes to finish second in the conference. Defensive back Charles Roberts leads FSU in tackles with 84 (37 solos).
Crowd numbers are not the first priority for judging the success of the re-tooled Pioneer Bowl, said Lide.
"If we have a strong organizational set-up, excellent game management, and the new, right people, everything else should fall into place," he said.
© 2003 Azeez Communications, Inc.