LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Southeastern Louisiana football team was picked sixth by the head coaches and seventh by the sports information directors in the Southland Conference Preseason Polls, which were released by the league office at the conference’s Football Media Day Wednesday at the L’auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles.
Southeastern is coming off an injury-marred 2015 season that saw the Lions finish 4-7 overall and 3-6 in Southland play. With several key performers returning after missing last season and an influx of new talent, SLU will look to return to 2013 and 2014 form – campaigns that saw the Lions win consecutive Southland Conference championships and make the first two NCAA playoff appearances in school history.
“We feel like we have the pieces in place to be in the hunt for the Southland Conference championship,” Southeastern fifth-year head coach Ron Roberts said. “We expect to be as strong up front on both sides of the ball as we’ve been since I’ve been here. We do have some areas where we are young and unproven, but the talent is there.”
A senior-laden defensive line is the deepest on the defensive side of the ball. Senior linebacker Tre’ Bennett, junior safety Ryan Sigers and senior cornerback Will Hines are the veterans among the young linebacker and secondary corps for the Lions.
On the offensive side of the ball, the return of a pair of 2015 redshirts – seniors Rasheed Harrell and Juwaan Rogers – is expected to bolster the Lion rushing attack. Junior Travis Romero anchors a retooled offensive line, while a trio of quarterbacks – senior D’Shaie Landor, sophomore Donovan Isom and senior Justin Alo – will compete for time under center.
Sam Houston State, which advanced to the semifinals in the NCAA FCS playoffs last season, was the top choice in both the coaches’ and sports information directors’ polls. In the coaches poll, the Bearkats was followed by McNeese, Central Arkansas, Lamar and Stephen F. Austin. Next came the Lions, Northwestern State, Abilene Christian, UIW, Nicholls and Houston Baptist.
The SID poll was nearly identical. Northwestern State out-pointed the Lions for sixth place, while UIW and Abilene also flipped spots in the prognostications of the Southland sports information directors.
Southeastern will report to campus on Aug. 2 with preseason practice beginning Aug. 3. The 2016 season officially kicks off on Sept. 3, when the Lions travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma to face Oklahoma State at 2:30 p.m.
The Lions’ five-game home schedule opens on Sept. 24, when they welcome league rival Northwestern State for a 6 p.m. contest. Season tickets are available by contacting the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visiting LionSports.net and LionUp.com.
2016 Southland Conference Preseason Football Polls
Coaches’ Poll (First-place votes)
1. Sam Houston State (8) – 99
2. McNeese (2) – 92
3. Central Arkansas – 79
4. Lamar – 67
5. Stephen F. Austin – 60
6. Southeastern Louisiana – 57
7. Northwestern State – 45
8. Abilene Christian – 40
9. UIW – 29
10. Nicholls – 26
11. Houston Baptist – 11
SID’s Poll (First-place votes)
1. Sam Houston State (10) – 100
2. McNeese (1) – 86
3. Central Arkansas – 84
4. Lamar – 67
5. Stephen F. Austin – 66
6. Northwestern State – 48
7. Southeastern Louisiana – 42
8. UIW – 39
9. Abilene Christian – 37
10. Nicholls – 26
11. Houston Baptist – 10
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