SSU opens with Division II Albany State

Macon, GA - First-year coach Steve Davenport wants his Savannah State Tigers to look ahead. They certainly don’t want to stare in the rear-view mirror against today’s 5 p.m. season-opening opponent Albany State in the Music City Classic at Henderson Stadium in Macon.

Davenport, an assistant running back coach at Alabama-Birmingham last season, inherits a 1-10 squad playing in its inaugural season in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Eight of the losses a year ago were by 31 or more points. But he says that’s a past that doesn’t need to be revisited.

Savannah State (0-0) vs. Albany State (0-0)

When: today, 5 p.m.

Where: Henderson Stadium, Macon

TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM

“We feel good about what we have going on,” said Davenport during a teleconference call with the media. “We have 19 seniors, the most they’ve had here in a while, and they’ve shown tremendous leadership. Obviously, it’s been rough and tough around here, but the day I met those kids, I told them we weren’t going to worry about the past. We’re focused on the present and future.”

Quarterback A.J. DeFilippis, defensive back Darren Hunter and running back Justin Babb have been providing the senior leadership. DeFilippis, a Benedictine graduate, will ...

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