2004 Kickoff; SIAC jumps right in
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
The opening weekend of the 2004 black college football season includes some early fireworks in the 2004 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football race.
Defending champion Albany State begins at home Saturday (7 p.m) in its newly refurbished stadium with a test against Miles, the team that tied with Kentucky State for second place behind the Golden Rams last year.
Fort Valley State, who finished fourth a year ago, faces Morehouse (6 p.m.) in their traditional season-opening battle in Macon, Ga.
Kentucky State, the team that led the conference before dropping its last two regular season games, opens at home (1:30 p.m.) against Clark Atlanta in the debut for new coaches Cornell Burgage (KSU) and Tayrone Odoms (CAU).
ASU, picked by league coaches to repeat as conference champ, placed 15 players on the preseason first and second all-conference teams. That group is led by talented QB Uyl Joyner and 2003 Defensive Player of the Year, defensive lineman Walter Curry. Miles, which placed eight players on the all-conference teams, counters with second team signal-caller Nicholas Smith. The Golden Bears were picked to finish fourth by league coaches.
FVSU was the coaches third choice. They return 2003 SIAC rushing leader Derrick Wimbush who rambled for 1,348 yards and 14 TDs last year. Morehouse features first team all-SIAC running back John David Washington, another 1,000-yard returnee.
Tuskegee, who slipped into a fourth-place tie with Benedict last season after winning three straight league titles, opens hosting St. Augustine's (1 p.m.) of the CIAA. The Golden Tigers were picked second in the SIAC. Benedict opens its season hosting SIAC provisional member Stillman (6 p.m.).
The toughest opening week assignment may be Winston-Salem State travelling to Jefferson City, Tn., Thursday to take on nationally-ranked Carson-Newman (6 p.m.).
© 2004 Azeez Communications, Inc.