HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team officially opens the second year of the
Ron Roberts era on Monday when the Lions begin spring drills in preparation for the 2013 season.
Southeastern, which finished 5-6 overall last season and 5-2 in Southland Conference play, will hold the first of 15 practices during the spring session with a 3 p.m. workout in shorts and helmets. Southeastern will wrap up spring drills on March 23 with its annual spring game at 6 p.m.
“We're real excited about spring and getting a chance to get on the field with our guys,” Roberts said. “We think that we've done a good job in accumulating some talent. Now, we've got to get to work and put this team together for 2013.”
With 50 letterwinners returning, plus a crop of mid-year signees highlighted by FBS transfers
Bryan Bennett (QB, Oregon),
Kody Sutton (RB, Wyoming) and
Devante Davis (DB, North Texas), the Lions will enter the spring with more depth at nearly every position while continuing to make strides in becoming one of the top teams in the Southland Conference and Football Championship Subdivision.
“That's what spring ball is about … competition,” Roberts said. “We're at a different stage than where we were at this time last season. We have a large portion of returning players who will know what we want and how we want things done. This spring, it's about competition and getting better as a football team.”
With the addition of Bennett at quarterback, Sutton at running back and the addition of junior college receiver
Marquis Hayes, the Lions will bolster their skill area on offense that returns its top two rushers and top six receivers. Bennett, who helped direct one of college football's most prolific offenses the past two seasons at Oregon, will be in a three-man battle look to replace departed starter
Nathan Stanley.
“There's competition across the board,” Roberts said. “There's a solid group of running backs and receivers who we have coming back. We're so much farther along as far as experienced players at the skill positions. It's an exciting time for us … it's time for us to go to work.”
Southeastern will open its 12-game season on Aug. 29 at home against Southeast Missouri. Season tickets are available by calling the Southeastern Athletic Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX.
