LAKE CHARLES – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team was picked to finish tied for fifth in voting by the Southland Conference's head coaches and sixth by the league's sports information directors, the conference office announced Tuesday at its annual football media day at L'Auberge du Lac Resort.
Southeastern, which will open its season on Sept. 1 at SEC newcomer Missouri, was picked to finish ahead of Lamar and Nicholls State in both polls. In the Coaches' Poll, the Lions received 21 points to finished tied with in-state rival Northwestern State while earning 16 points in the SID poll.
Defending conference champion and FCS national runner-up Sam Houston State was the overwhelming choice to repeat in both polls earning seven of eight first-place votes in each. Stephen F. Austin was picked to finish second among the league's coaches followed by Central Arkansas, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southeastern, Lamar and Nicholls State.
SFA was also picked to finish second in the SID poll with UCA, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Southeastern, Lamar and Nicholls State following.
Southeastern will open its five-game home schedule on Sept. 8 against South Dakota State. The Lions will host McNeese State (Sept. 22), Northwestern State (Oct. 13), UCA (Oct. 27) and SFA (Nov. 10) at Strawberry Stadium.
Season tickets are available by calling the Southeastern Athletic Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or on-line at www.LionSports.net.
Southland Conference Football Preseason Polls
Coaches' Poll
Team (first-place votes) - Total
1. Sam Houston State (7) - 49
2. Stephen F. Austin (1) - 39
3. Central Arkansas - 38
4. McNeese State - 34
5T. Northwestern State - 21
5T. Southeastern Louisiana - 21
7. Lamar - 13
8. Nicholls State - 8
Sports Information Director's Poll
Team (first-place votes) - Total
1. Sam Houston State (7) - 49
2. Stephen F. Austin - 38
3. Central Arkansas (1) - 37
4. McNeese State - 35
5. Northwestern State - 26
6. Southeastern Louisiana - 16
7. Lamar - 15
8. Nicholls State - 8
QUOTES
Senior Offensive Lineman Paul Roppolo
On the first season under new head coach Ron Roberts: “Our new staff has really concentrated on making sure we're having fun and enjoying the game, which is a big part of winning football games. They are trying to instill a winning attitude. We know they come from a great program and are proven winners, so we're excited about the progress we've made in the spring and we're ready to get going in fall camp.”
On offensive improvements: “We've become more focused as a group and we feel like as a unit there's more of a sense of togetherness. We have to continue to concentrate on our execution. We expect a big improvement in the coming season.”
On the offensive line: “We have a young group, but we've been together three seasons now and we can see that experience coming together to make us better up front. We're close friends off the field and the fact that we know each other so well has really helped us a group. That togetherness and the progress we've made under (offensive line) Coach (Travis) Mikel has us excited about the fall.”
On team's goals in 2012: “We just want to win and we feel if we execute we have the potential to have a great season. Since I've been here, we've always been a great practice team. To take the next step, we have to take that intensity and focus into game days.”
Sophomore Safety Tyler Stoddard
On his expectations heading into his sophomore season: “We're excited to see how much we've changed and improved. We really feel like our defense came together as a unit in the spring. Our new 3-3-5 defense suits the talent we have. We have a lot of speed and this scheme puts in better position to make plays.”
On the leaders of the Lion defense: “When I was coming in last season as a freshman, (senior linebacker)
Devan Walker was someone who motivated me and helped me understand the things I needed to do to earn more playing time. Our defensive players see Devan and (senior preseason All-Southland Conference defensive back)
Robert Alford as the players we look up to and follow. (Senior linebacker)
Tay Alford is another leader for us on that side of the ball because he's our hardest worker day in and day out.”
On how the Lions match up with the Southland Conference: “After playing everyone in the Southland Conference as a freshman, I can say that we match up well talent-wise with the other teams in this league. The key for us is our willingness to put in the work that's necessary for us to be successful.”
HEAD COACH RON ROBERTS
On what attracted you and your staff to Hammond and Southeastern Louisiana
“One, looking at the whole body of work. There is the University, the community, being in a hotbed of recruiting. I thought that the potential that it has for growth. We kind of, as a staff, felt like a new challenge. I thought we tapped it out and it was time to move on and see if we could do it another place.”
On progress of the team during the spring
“I think we made tremendous progress. Our players have been outstanding the way they've responded to our coaching staff. I've got a great coaching staff that makes it a lot easier. Our players have done everything we've asked them to do. Their attitude has been outstanding. Their effort has been unbelievable. We asked them to make a huge commitment to be here and closing the gap from 3-8 to the top of the Southland Conference. And we want to be able to compete for a conference championship. Everything has gone pretty smoothly.”
On the challenges of coaching in the Southland Conference
“It's exciting coaching in the Southland Conference. If you have a competitive spirit, you want to get in the most competitive environment you can and you want to the opportunity to go against the best. You want the opportunity, not only to see where you are, but to bring out the best. The Southland Conference has a rich tradition and has had many great athletes. It's something that I'm looking forward to being a part of.”
On opening at SEC newcomer Missouri
“It's a great opportunity to us, it's going to be a great environment for our kids and it's going to be an opportunity to go up there and see probably the best football team we'll face all season. We're going to see the fastest players and the game played at a different speed. It's a great opportunity to gauge ourselves against great competition and really tell us where we've got to go over the next 10 games.”
