HAMMOND – Looking to improve on a 5-7 season a year ago, the Southeastern Louisiana University football team officially kicks off its 2009 season Saturday when it plays host to Texas A&M-Commerce at Strawberry Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
Armed with 15 returning starters and 40 letterwinners, Southeastern opens its season at home for the first time since 2005 when it defeated Alcorn State, 48-21. Texas A&M-Commerce, a Division II member of the Lone Star Conference, is 0-1 on the season after a 21-7 loss at Angelo State last Saturday.
Senior quarterback
Brian Babin looks to build off a solid campaign in 2008 when he threw for 2,806 yards and 25 touchdowns. The former St. Amant product finished fourth in the Southland Conference in passing yards per game (255.1) and total offense (247.5) and was fifth in passing efficiency (136.2). He recorded the fourth-highest mark for total offense in school history with 2,722 yards and enters his final season second in career passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts.
Receivers
Chris Wilson and
Simmie Yarborough each caught 51 passes for Southeastern while Kentwood's
Andre Cryer recorded 41 receptions. The tandem of
Jasper Ducksworth,
Zeke Jones and
Sam Fairley look to replace departed starter Jay Lucas at running back.
Defensively, All-American
Tommy Connors and
Mark Newbill became the first tandem to record 100 or more tackles since Leonard Parker and Kenny Pittman in 1985.
Connors, a Buck Buchanan Watch List member, led the Lions with 108 stops while pacing the Southland Conference with four interceptions. Newbill recorded 100 stops for Southeastern with
Ryan Godare adding 88 stops and
Quinten Pierre 66.
Texas A&M-Commerce, coached by former Kentucky and Baylor head coach Guy Morriss, was picked to finish second in the LSC North Division after finishing 5-5 last season.
Reid Herchenbach, a transfer from Alabama State, completed 16 of 28 passes for 156 yards in his debut with A&M-Commerce while West Virginia transfer Jetavious Best gained 43 yards on 13 carries.
